Course Aims:

The systems approach provides the core methodologies of this course.  It is amplified by other sources, such as economic, historical, cultural, socio-political and scientific, to provide a holistic perspective on environmental issues.

The aims of the environmental systems and societies course are to:

1. promote understanding of environmental processes at a variety of scales, from local to global
2. provide a body of knowledge, methodologies and skills that can be used in the analysis of environmental issues at local and global levels
3. enables students to apply the knowledge, methodologies and skills gained
4. promote critical awareness of a diversity of cultural perspectives
5. recognize the extent to which technology plays a role in both causing and solving environmental problems
6. appreciate the value of local as well as international collaboration in resolving environmental problems
7. appreciate that environmental issues may be controversial, and may provoke a variety of responses
8. appreciate that human society is both directly and indirectly linked to the environment at a number of levels and at a variety of scales
   

Course Outline:

Topic 1:  Systems and models (5 hrs)

Topic 2: The ecosystem (31 hrs)

Topic 3:  Human population, carrying capacity and resource use (39 hrs)

Topic 4: Conservation and biodiversity (15 hrs)

Topic 5: Pollution management (18 hrs)

Topic 6: The issue of global warming (6 hrs)

Topic 7: Environmental value systems (6 hrs)