The course applies the principles of evolutionary biology and ecosystems analysis 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. The theories covered are exemplified by case studies which include:

Critical assessment of the human-nature interactions which have occurred over human history, including hunter gatherer societies in Australia, early agricultural societies in the Asia-Pacific region and modern globalised industrial societies.
Fundamental ecological principles are used in an examination of the problems of, and the policies affecting, resource use associated with farmland, forests, wilderness and urban areas.
Dynamical systems thinking is introduced and developed 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.

This course lays the foundations for later year courses in human ecology.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately. 

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of Human Ecology, including knowledge of the history and background to the topic
2. Demonstrate an understanding of key ecosystem and social processes and how they relate to human-nature interactions, and to intergrate this understanding with knowledge drawn from their own undergraduate, workplace or research backgrounds
3. Use systems approach to ‘get at' an understanding of the complex, multi-scaled, interactions that characterize human-ecological situations, and their associated problems
4. Apply this understanding in to historical and current strategies for human use of materials and energy and the ecological consequences of those strategies in the context of real field case and to their research programs
5. Understand both opportunities of and barriers to making positive changes in human-nature interaction. 

Regular attendance and participation in classwork and fieldtrips is required. Students who fail to submit set work by the due date or fail to participate in classes and field trips may be excluded from examination.

Assessment will be based on:

• Tutorial contribution (10%). Assess the ability to participate in, present and facilitate discussions that draw in a diverse range of knowledge backgrounds on some key issues in Human Ecology
• Workbook (15%). Assesses the ability of students to command basic concepts from across the arts, social and environmental sciences
• Fieldtrip assessment (35%). Brings the systems approach techniques to bear on a real case study that exhibits many of the process and conflicts evident in complex human-environment situations

Research Paper (40%). Assess the extent to which the student has mastered the key themes of the course and their implications and can bring them to bear on a research topic of their choice. 

Sixty-five hours contact, comprising 26 hours of lectures, 12 hours of tutorials, 9 hours of workshops, and 18 hours in field classes.

Bachelor degree; no specific knowledge

Boyden, S. (2004) The Biology of Civilisation: understanding human culture as a force in nature.  Sydney, UNSW Press