Ecology, Environment and Conservation
| Module title | Ecology, Environment and Conservation |
|---|---|
| Module code | PHL2055 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Adrian Currie (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
People in the West have become increasingly concerned with the state of the natural environment. Increasing pollution, the exploitation of natural resources, and extinctions have led policy-makers, scientists and the general public to take active steps to preserve the natural world. But what is ‘natural’? Why would we want to preserve it? And howcan we preserve it? In this module you will take a philosophy of science approach to environmental philosophy. The focus will be on ecology’s scientific status, its relationship to conservation biology, and the consequences for environmental ethics. No prior knowledge of either philosophy or science will be assumed.
Module aims - intentions of the module
You will learn about contemporary philosophical issues in ecological science, its relationship with conservation biology, and non-anthropocentric values. You will learn to think critically both about your engagement with the natural environment, and that of scientists and policy-makers, and express those conclusions with care precision. Reading and engaging with the philosophy of ecology, environment and conservation biology will develop your capacities for philosophical analysis and reasoning.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate an understanding of contemporary debates concerning ecology, conservation biology and environmental ethics.
- 2. critically engage with an ecological case study.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. analyse and critique arguments and positions.
- 4. synthesize theoretical and empirical information.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. critically integrate different disciplinary approaches.
- 6. demonstrate clear, concise writing and analysis.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics :
- What is the nature of ecology as a science? Questions include: are there laws in ecology? Are ecological theories falsifiable? How do ecological models work?
- What is the relationship between ecology and conservation? Questions include: do ecological communities exist? What is biodiversity? Can we prioritize conservation efforts?
- What is the nature of environmental value? Questions include: does economic value suffice for conservation? Is the value of nature anthropocentric or does nature have intrinsic value?
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21.5 | 128.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures. Lectures cover more ground than is possible in tutorials, and are designed to establish a context in which to think about the themes and texts discussed in tutorials. |
| Guided Independent study | 45 | Preparation for lectures and tutorial participation including reading and planning. |
| Guided Independent study | 83.5 | Independent research for assignments. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Plan | 100 word essay proposal | 1-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 30 | 1000 words | 1-6 | Written |
| Essay 2 | 70 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay (1000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay (3000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Mark Colyvan, Stefan Linquist, William Grey, Paul E. Griffiths, Jay Odenbaugh, and Hugh P. Possingham (2009) A Field Guide to the Philosophy of Ecology
Marc Lange (2005) Ecological laws: what would they be and why would they matter? Oikos, 110(2), 394-403.
Weiner, Jacob (1995) On the practice of Ecology. Journal of Ecology, 83(1), 153-158.
Godfrey-Smith, Peter (2006) The Strategy of Model-Based Science. Biology and philosophy, 21(5), 725-740.
Jay Odenbaugh (2005) Idealized, inaccurate but successful: A pragmatic approach to evaluating models in theoretical ecology. Biology and Philosophy, 20(2-3), 231-255.
Mark Colyvan (2005) Probability and Ecological Complexity. Biology and Philosophy 20:869–879
Kim Sterelny (2006) Local Ecological Communities. Philosophy of Science, 73(2), 215-231.
Kirchner, James W (2002) The Gaia Hypothesis: Fact, Theory and Wishful thinking. Climatic Change, 52(4), 391-408.
Mark Sagoff Animal Liberation and Environmental Ethics: Bad Marriage and Quick Divorce. Osgoode Hall Law Journal 22 (1984): 297-307.
Sahorta Sarkar (2002) Defining “Diversity”; Assessing Diversity. The Monist, 85(1), 131-155.
Sober, Elliot (1986) Philosophical Problems for Environmentalism. IN: The preservation of the species, Norton (ed). Princeton University Press.
Mark Colyvan & Katie Steel (2011), Environmental Ethics and Decision Theory: Fellow Travellers or Bitter Enemies? Philosophy of Ecology, 11, 285.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 14/01/2019 |
| Last revision date | 25/02/2019 |
