Trouble in Paradise

URL study guide

https://vu.nl/en/education/honours/sem02-2024-2025-trouble-in-paradise

Course Objective

After completion of this course students will be able to understand and creatively communicate their own view on human-nature relationships and value those of others.
Students will learn to appreciate the scope of complex environmental issues, finding a voice to express their own views on these matters in writing and orally in a sophisticated, creative manner whilst recognizing and appreciating valid perspectives that others may have. Furthermore it invites the students to transcend disciplinary boundaries and use creative media to develop a broader mind in study approaches and beyond.

Course Content

In the recent nature documentary ‘Our Planet’ world-famous British naturalist Sir David Attenborough alarmingly declares: ‘Never has it been more important to understand how the natural world works, and how to help it.’ As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, we must look at ways to address complex environmental challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution at a grand scale. In order to tackle these complex issues, people have often solely looked to natural scientists and engineers for solutions. But what if it is not enough to understand the inner workings of the natural world? Besides understanding how the world works we should also investigate how we view, talk and make sense of world we inhabit.
Throughout history humans have made sense of the world surrounding them through manifold narratives. In this course we will examine the narratives around human relations with nature. We will explore how nature was and is framed and represented in the past and today, and try to imagine alternative narratives for the future.

Teaching Methods

Combination of lectures, workshops, discussions and student presentations, individual tutorials and an excursion.
Students will attend a mix of lectures and workshops. Each taught session (6 evenings) will have elements of theory and practice in which the students work together to develop their own narratives concerning nature/human relationships. To help students shape their own approach and message they’ll pitch their ideas to their peers. To ensure cohesion and encourage interdisciplinary thinking, each teaching session will be introduced by one of the course coordinators.
In their own time, students are expected to read recommended literature around the themes (see indicative reading list), explore other resources such as documentaries, museums, collections etc., attend debates and, depending on the intended output, experiment with materials, text, images etc. All these activities may be used as evidence of research to be included in a portfolio.

Method of Assessment

10% Participation assessed continually through participation in seminars and presentation of idea to peer group; 60% Portfolio of work including research rapport and drafts of chosen output; 20% A final output/ artwork/product

Literature

Hulme, M. (2009) Why We Disagree about Climate Change:Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity and literature chosen by guest lecturers.

Target Audience

Bachelor students Vrije Universiteit and Universiteit van Amsterdam from all Faculties

Custom Course Registration

See website Honours Education: https://vu.nl/en/education/honours/sem02-2024-2025-trouble-in-paradise

Additional Information

The course first started in 2023-2024 and was developed and coordinated with Harriet Sjerps, Senior Policy Advisor Education and Lecturer.