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Last update: PhDr. Barbora Půtová, Ph.D., Ph.D. (02.09.2011)
The relationship between human society and nature has many aspects. Contemporary cultural ecology represents approach which is trying to investigate as much of these various aspects of this relationship as possible. In the course there are presented different theoretical approaches to human-environment relationship, as well as diverse case studies from the history and our presence. Five main topics which form the structure of the course can be briefly summarized as follows: 1) Social sciences and the environment There are presented the most important environmentally oriented disciplines of social sciences (roots of social and cultural ecology, human ecology, environmental sociology) and their relationship to biological ecology. There are discussed differences between ecology and environmentalism and thoughts of selected important environmental philosophers are introduced. 2) History of cultural landscape The first question is: What is it landscape? Then we can ask what is it cultural landscape. History of cultural landscape in Czech is presented along with the cultural influence on landscape and natural influence on society. How does our landscape perception differ from the perception of other historical eras? 3) World development and ecological footprint How much “natural goods and services” do we need for our life? How can we measure it? Which states are the most demanding and which least? Is Gross National Product good indicator of countries’ wealth or do we need better indicators? How do they work? 4) Energy demand and climate change Climate change is not only natural phenomenon but also a great political and social issue. How does climate change “work”? What do people think about it? How can individual contribute to climate change or how can help to solve the problem? How big are CO2 emissions of European households? And African? And yours? 5) Sustainable development Sustainable development (SD) - possible solution for next generations or just a sexy phrase? Roots of SD and important political agreements. What are the three pillars of SD? And what is the relationship between them?
The typical lesson will start with students’ Powerpoint presentation of topic selected beforehand and will continue with the lecture of the teacher and the discussion. Usually, there is some preparation needed for the lesson discussion (short reading, data mining, etc.). At least one field trip will take place in the semester (maybe more - according to weather conditions and other circumstances). |
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Last update: PhDr. Barbora Půtová, Ph.D., Ph.D. (02.09.2011)
The reading list contains some of relevant interesting literature. Required readings selected from the list (with appropriate page range) will be announced in advance and given to students in electronic form or in hard copy.
Beck, U. (2010), Climate for Change, or How to Create a Green Modernity? Theory, Culture and Society 27 (2-3): 254-266 Available through SAGE Publications Bičík, I., Jeleček, L. and Štěpánek, V. (2001), Land-use changes and their social driving forces in Czechia in the 19th and 20th centuries. Land Use Policy 18 (1): 65-73 Available through ScienceDirect Dunlap, R., Catton Jr., W. (1979), Environmental Sociology. Annual Review of Sociology 5: 243-273 Available through EBSCOhost Daly, H. (1974), The World Dynamics of Economics Growth. The Economics of the Steady State. The American Economic Review 64 (2): 15-21 Available through EBSCOhost Ewing, B., Moore, D., Goldfinger, S., Oursler, A., Reed, A. and Wackernagel, M. (2010), The Ecological Footprint Atlas 2010. Oakland: Global Footprint Network http://www.footprintnetwork.org/images/uploads/Ecological Footprint Atlas 2010.pdf Fischer, A., Peters, V., Vávra, J., Neebe, M., Megyesi, B. (2011), Energy use, climate change and folk psychology: Does sustainability have a chance? Results from a qualitative study in five European countries. Global Environmental Change 21 (3): 1025-1034 Available through ScienceDirect Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (2007), Fourth Assesment Report - Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report Summary for Policymakers http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/syr/ar4_syr_spm.pdf 3 Lothian, A. (1999), Landscape and the philosophy of aesthetics: is landscape quality inherent in the landscape or in the eye of the beholder? Landscape and Urban Planning 44 (4): 177-198 Available through ScienceDirect Naess, A. (1973), The Shallow and the Deep, Long-range Ecology Movement. A summary. Inquiry 6 (1-4): 95-100 Naughton, J. (2001), A brief history of the Czech lands. James Naughton’s personal pages at Oxford University http://users.ox.ac.uk/~tayl0010/history.htm United Nations (1987), Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development http://worldinbalance.net/intagreements/1987-brundtland.php White, Jr., L. (1967), The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis. Science 155 (3767): 1203-1207 |
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Last update: PhDr. Barbora Půtová, Ph.D., Ph.D. (02.09.2011)
At least 70 % attendance. Active class participation (and preparation - reading, etc.). Each student should present one Powerpoint presentation. Each student should write 1 or 2 short writings (essay or report). Grading policy Class activity and preparation (25 %) Writings (30 %) Presentation in class (25 %) Short final test (20 %) |