ANTHRO 107 : The Human-made Planet?

Arts

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

How have humans have come to dominate the planet? Explores hominin history, relationships with other organisms, urbanisation and globalisation, and the rise of the capitalocene. Where to from here? As humankind imagines and embraces sustainable, resilient futures, anthropology offers critical perspectives on diverse ways of being, non-western worldviews, complex bio-social interactions, and pathways to deeper socio-natural connectivities.

Course Overview

In this course we grapple with the questions of how humans became a “force of nature”, the implications for current and future societies, and how anthropological perspectives can help us understand past processes and create more sustainable futures. Our effects on Earth systems, biological, physical, and chemical, are now so pervasive and of such magnitude that geologists argue a new geological epoch is warranted: the Anthropocene. In this class we explore the arc of human history that brought our species to this juncture, examining major milestones in relationships with other animals and plants (wild and domesticated) to the present; changes in our relationship to the landscape including urbanisation; use of technology to modify our environment; and changes in population mobility, density, and connectivity that have led us here. Tipping points, progress traps and characteristics of resilient societies are explored in deep time. We probe the crucial importance of cultural diversity to environmental health and related dimensions of social well-being. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify important cultural-environmental transitions for humanity since the origins of modern Homo sapiens (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Describe and explain the major processes that have shaped human and environmental diversity since the origins of modern Homo sapiens (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3 and 4.1)
  3. Communicate evidenced-based arguments orally and through writing (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Apply knowledge of Homo sapiens long history of social, cultural, and environmental change to contemporary world problems (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Short Essay 10% Individual Coursework
Long Essay 20% Individual Coursework
Tutorials and Experts Panel Preparation 10% Individual Coursework
In-Class Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Each week, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial,  and 7 additional hours of reading and thinking about the content, as well as work on assignments and test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2023.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Lectures will include key point summaries that students can revise.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 01/11/2022 12:06 p.m.