| Overview and Aims of the Program |
Overlapping threats to global ecosystems and the diversity of planetary life require richer societal responses to the human dimensions of environmental change. The Environmental Humanities major addresses this challenge with its unique focus on the cultural, historical, and ethical contexts of human-environment relationships.
The program aims to develop knowledge bridging humanities and social sciences, to engage more fully and reflexively with current environmental problems and to create new and participatory forms of environmental research and communication essential for negotiating our complex, climate-changing world.
The program aims to produce ethically, socially, and environmentally engaged graduates with demonstrated understanding of the theoretical and methodological foundations of humanities-based inquiry by which to evaluate environmental issues and problems.
A unique feature of the program is its interdisciplinary collaboration - the Environmental Humanities draws together cutting edge teaching and research from across the university including geography, philosophy, history, sociology, literary and communication studies, political science, law, anthropology, Indigenous studies, environmental science and biology. Students will undertake a field-based Environmental Humanities research project in the capstone unit.
The curriculum is based on lectures, tutorials, workshops, research-focused fieldwork and field visits. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and practical understanding of key methods, concepts, and scholarship in Environmental Humanities, including relevant multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches and perspectives (k) (t) (l)
- Integrate and apply theories and concepts that address the interconnected dynamics of environments and societies in producing environmental dilemmas (t) (e) (l) (t)
- Understand and identify the main ethical, political, and historical contexts of particular human-environment relations and their connections with global events and perspectives (t) (e)
- Critically review how social and scientific perspectives on current environmental issues and challenges are communicated to professional and public audiences (k) (t) (i) (c) (a)
- Formulate reflective and ethical approaches for putting Environmental Humanities into practice through project based research (e) (a) (i) (p) (j) (l)
- Be prepared and able to respond to diverse perspectives and approaches to human-environment relationships (t) (c) (e) (a) (j) (l)
- Research and evaluate environmental dilemmas using methods, concepts, and scholarship in the Environmental Humanities, including multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches (k) (p) (e)
- Critically engage with advanced concepts and academic texts, and express complex ideas in written work, oral presentations, and small group discussions (c) (t) (p) (j) (l)
- Develop creative and innovative approaches to communicating environmental challenges (p) (i) (j) (l)
- Apply key methods and concepts from the Environmental Humanities in a range of disciplinary and geographical settings (k) (j) (l) |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
Learning and teaching methods will include a mix of lectures, small group discussions, flipped classrooms, on-campus workshops, self-organised learning (students select from a number of possible activities and use initiative) and fieldwork. |
| Assessment |
Assessment methods used to assess the learning outcomes will include written assignments, reports, conference presentations, exams, oral presentations, reflective journal, take-home exam, tutorial attendance and participation, fieldwork journal, blogs and group work. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic Students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International Students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Environmental Research
Environmental Communication
Environmental Education
Non Government Organisations
Advocacy and Lobby Groups
Social Enterprise and Innovation
Local, State and Federal Government |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
