The course applies the principles of ecosystem sciences to the study of the human environment. The emphasis is on the significance and function of ecosystems, how humans have affected these systems over time, and what are the opportunities of and barriers to making positive changes. Dynamical systems thinking and the concept of coupled social ecological system is introduced as a powerful means of comprehending the behaviour of these complex situations. Field trips allow students to experience first-hand the complexity of these human-ecological interactions and the challenges of managing them sustainably. In the latter half of the course, human-nature interactions over human history are critically reviewed, including hunter gatherer societies, early agricultural societies and modern globalised urban and industrial societies. Some key contemporary challenges facing humanity in the Anthropocene are presented for critical reflection. Students extend their understanding of one of these challenges in their final research report and presentation.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of Human Ecology, including knowledge of the history and background to the topic.
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of key linkages between ecosystem and social processes and how they relate to human-nature interactions, and to integrate this understanding with knowledge drawn from their own degree backgrounds.
- Use systems approach to ‘get at' an understanding of the complex, multi-scaled, interactions that characterize human-ecological situations, and their associated problems
- Apply this understanding in to a significant contemporary challenge facing humanity in the Anthropocene.
- Communicate human ecological systems approaches to social-environmental challenges to a range of audiences in effective written and oral form.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
All students engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a minor component of the course
Other Information
There are additional field trip fees (<$200) applicable to participation in this course (payment to ANU Science Shop).
- Field-based teaching and learning activity forms an integral and important part of many courses delivered by the Fenner School of Environment & Society. Fieldwork activities are designed to allow you put the skills you’ve learned in the classroom into practice in new environments and provide powerful enrichment to student learning.
- Students can opt between attending the field trip or undertaking 21 hours of independent research related to the field trip. Note: there is a limited quota of places for the field trip Information about this will be communicated to the class in the first week of the teaching semester. Students should contact the Course Convenor if they have any questions.
Indicative Assessment
- Tutorial Participation (10) [LO 1,2]
- Complete Online Systems-Thinking Modules (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Field Trip Report (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research Essay (40) [LO 2,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week plus 6 hours of workshops across the semester.
- Either a 3 day (21 hours) field trip OR 21 hours of independent research to support equivalent preparation to enable submission of assessment task (3). Please see Other Information for additional advice.
- Approximately 67 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
This course includes an optional field trip.
For general information on field trips please visit: https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/college-science-field-trips
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Please refer to the course sit in the Learning Management system.
Areas of Interest
- Forestry
- Geography
- Human Ecology
- Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability
- Biological Anthropology
- Environmental Studies
- Human Sciences
- Population Studies
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3404 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |