The Anthropocene - A History of the World, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The idea of the Anthropocene – the geological Age of Man – has become widely adopted as a way of describing the entanglement of human activities and the natural world after its popularization by Paul Crutzen in 2000. It is simultaneously a narrative about the relationship between humans and nature, people and the planet, and an argument about how we got there. As such it is a powerful idea that merits deeper engagement. This course critically examines the history of the idea from George Perkins Marsh’s Man and Nature (1864) until today, its adoption in science and popular culture, as well as its key claims about the long-term impact of humanity on the planet, in order to provide a deep understanding of the scientific and cultural background of the concept and its impact on scientific communication and political practice.

Expected learning outcomes

After finishing the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
•    Recognize and be able to present the key elements and multiple meanings of the Anthropocene debate in science and culture
•    Demonstrate a familiarity with the interdisciplinary scholarly community that engages in the debate about the Anthropocene
•    Demonstrate an understanding of the term “wicked problems” and how it applies to contemporary debates over environmental change
 
Skills and Ability
•    Clearly and coherently discuss and reflect on course content
•    Present selected assignments for a non-academic public using the course website

Assessment and Approach
•    Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the scale and scope of environmental change in a long time perspective
•    Critically analyze the conflicting and complementary disciplinary and ideological approaches to the Anthropocene

Required Knowledge

90 ECTS courses in history, history of ideas, archaelogy, environmental science, or a Bachelors degree (180 ECTS), or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Form of instruction

This is an online course, featuring only asynchronous communication and interaction. It is divided in five modules that discusses the course literature. The instruction is based on active participation from the students, as group discussions and other types of interaction around the course material. A website located at http://anthropocene.name serves as the course learning platform. Students are required to have access  to a computer and a stable internet connection.

Examination modes

Examination is continual and based on student writing.
The ordinary examination is handled as part of the regular teaching.

A student who fails the examination is given one more test opportunity as part of the course. Students who fail the course twice can apply to the Faculty of Arts to have another examinator named. Students who receive a passing grade can not take another test for a higher grade.

Academic credit transfer
Transfer of credits is handled by Student Services/Degree Evaluation Office. See http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/transfer-of-credits/