Issues in Human Ecology
Code
73220101
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Sociologia
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
João Lutas Craveiro
Weekly hours
2
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Different types of problems are considered to which, due to their complexity and need for integrated approach, Human Ecology can provide an answer: The (environmental, social, cultural) \"crises\" and the possible means of overcoming them, in the search for new development paradigms and forms of life.
Approaches will be emphasized at different spatial scales (local, regional, national, global) as well as temporal ones.
Topics to be discussed in this Curriculum Unit:
- Natural resource management and sustainable development;
- Urban ecology;
Ecological Perspective on Aging;
-Sustainable Production and Consumption
- Desertification
Prerequisites
Subject matter
It is intended that students acquire the capacity for critical reflection and autonomy concerning these problems as well as sensitivity to the diversity of readings.
Bibliography
Bruckmeier, Kl; Tovey, H., (eds) (2008). Rural Sustainable Development in the Knowledge Society. Ashgtae: Aldershot.
Carp, F. (1987). Environment and aging, in STOKOLS, D. & ALTMAN, I. (eds.), Handbook of Environmental Psychology, Vol. 1,
New York, John Wiley & Sons: 329-360.
Diesendorf, Mark, C. Hamilton, (Eds.) (1997). Human Ecology, Human Economy. London: Allen & Unwin.
Ehrlich, P. R., and Ehrlich, A. (2005). One with Nineveh: Politics, Consumption, and the Human Future. Washington: Island Press.
Girardet, H, (ed.) (2007). Surviving the Century: Facing Climate Chaos and Other Global Challenges. London: Earthscan.
Miller, G. Tyler (2002). Sustaining the earth. Brooks/Cole.
Schnaiberg A. and Gould K. A. (1994).Environment and Society: The Enduring Conflict. New York : St. Martin´s Press.
Redclift M. and Benton T. (eds.) (1994). Social Theory and the Global Environment. London: Routledge.
Teaching method
Introduction to the themes and guided discussions. Reading and discussion of documents.
Evaluation method
The evaluation will be based on a research paper written on a topic agreed upon with the teacher which will also be orally presented and discussed , involving all students with regard to problem definition, approach method, methodology used, and the main conclusions reached.