This intensive course will involve 2 weeks of in-country traveling and study in Japan at the University of Tokyo (including visits to regional landmarks such as Mt Fuji or National Ainu Museum) followed by 2 weeks at the ANU and and regional NSW (total = 4 weeks). The course asks the fundamental questions, "How do we explain the remarkably abrupt changes that sometimes occur in nature and society?" and "What can knowledge of the past tell us about our future?". Much of what we know of the deeper past comes from natural archives of changing cultural landscapes and environment. In Australia and the Asia-Pacific region there is a rich body of evidence for past changes in culture, climate, landscape and biodiversity that is only just beginning to be explored. The evidence for critical transitions that have occurred in nature and society will be discussed and students will see first-hand examples of how environmental change has influenced past and present societies and cultures. The course combines in-class learning, museum visits and fieldtrips to Mt Fuji (or Hokkaido) and the coastal and inland regions around the ANU campus. The course will provide students with a deeper understanding of the practical skills to engage in current issues that span the sciences and humanities.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the role that natural processes and human impacts may have on landscapes in the past and understand how the evidence is obtained.
- Reflect on the natural and human influences that explain past cultural and environmental conditions and be able to communicate these to a general audience.
- Evaluate how differing perceptions of natural and cultural landscapes have influenced societies through time.
- Learn to communicate ideas about environmental change effectively in two contrasting cultures.
- Demonstrate writing skills and ability to present arguments to others.
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
Students will be engaged with in-country learning in field-based settings in both Japan and Australia.
Indicative Assessment
- Assessment will be based on activities and work produced throughout course. The following assessment will occur in Japan and Australia for the two parts of this course
Japan Workbook for reflective writing (15) [LO 1,2,3,4] - Australia Two Quizzes (2x5% each) (10) [LO 1,2,3]
- Workbook for reflective writing (15) [LO 1,2,3]
- Research presentation on selected key topic chosen during the course delivered on Day 20 (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Final Essay (2000 words) based on a key topic chosen during the lectures and field visits delivered two weeks after course lecture period concludes (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
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
This course requires 130 hours, including class time and self-study.
Students will be expected to have the following workload in Japan and Australia.
The course will involve a 2hr preparatory lecture followed by 1 week of field work with 5 lectures and field visits as in-country intensive learning (4 hours per day). Students also will have workload of reading and writing assignments, estimated at 8-10 hours per week.
Inherent Requirements
To complete this course, students must participate in the field trip/study tour to a domestic or international field location. To participate in the trip, students must be able to:
- Travel to the field location and stay in field accommodation such as shared basic cabins or dorm rooms;
- Monitor and manage their own health while studying and living with a small group of people at the location, which may be isolated;
- Understand and respect the needs of other participants and act professionally throughout the trip.
Students who cannot meet these requirements will not be able to participate in the trip and therefore cannot complete the course.
In addition, some of the trip options may require students to:
- Safely traverse 2-3km over uneven ground at a moderate pace.
Students who can provide evidence they are unable to meet this requirement may be able to choose other options or negotiate alternative participation and assessment requirements with the course convenor.
If you have any questions regarding your course and the requirements it has for successful completion please contact either the course convenor for specific information or the relevant college and/or school mobility team.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the School of Culture History and Language to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Recommended Textbooks
Head, L. (2000) Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change. Oxford University Press, London.
Fletcher et al. (2021) Indigenous knowledge and the shackles of wilderness. PNAS, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2022218118
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:
- 14
- 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
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.