833114 Human ecology

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Zaller, Johann
Organisation
Offered in
Sommersemester 2025
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

Human Ecology as the science of the interrelations between the human being and its evironment as integrative approach connecting natural and social sciences as well as ethics. Biological and cultural evolution of man and his behaviour. The question of "human scale" (in the sense of E. F. Schumacher). Environmental dynamics. Simulation models of ecosystems, their virtues and limits. Urbanization, criteria of "ecological cities". Nutrition and food supply. Industrialized agriculture (e.g. "Green Revolution") vs. sustainable alternatives. Nature and technology, the necessity of control of technology by society. The concepts of appropriate technology and sustainable develeopment. Ecology and ethics. The ethics of motives and the necessity of its replacement by an ethics of responsibility.
Previous knowledge expected


Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Upon successful completion of the course, participants* will be able to:
- Conduct and develop a multidisciplinary analysis of human ecological problems.
- Understand and evaluate relationships between the natural environment and human activities.
- Assess their own sphere of influence in a human ecological context.
- Perceive one's own responsibility
- Derive reasons for human actions that endanger nature.
- Evaluate and develop methodological approaches to address human ecological problems.
- Interpret and critically discuss scientific findings on the topic.
- Conduct scientific investigations in groups.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.