Syllabus

Basics: Environment, Nature, Ecology, Ecosystem, Adaptation, Types of societies, Culture
Theories of human—environment interactions: Environmental determinism, Cultural determinism, Cultural Ecology, Ecosystem approach, Ethnoecology, Historical ecology, Political ecology, Nature-culture dualism, Human-environmental relations (Orientalism, paternalism and communalism)

Human adaptability to environment: Arctic Zones, High Altitudes, Arid Lands, Grasslands, Humid tropics

Environment across societies/cultures: Environmental Worldviews (perception/images of others), views of the environment (knowledge and beliefs) in Non-Western Cultures (Native American, Aboriginal Australian, Indian, Thai, Andean, Chinese, Islamic views), environmental practices relating to various cultures
Religious traditions of nature and the environment, spiritual ecology, sacred groves, sacred places, biodiversity, biocultural diversity

Human-wildlife interactions: coexistence/cooperation and conflicts, crop raiding animals, human-wildlife contacts and emerging infectious diseases, wildlife conservation, Conservation social sciences

Environmental changes and crises: tragedy of the commons, environmental degradation (forms, causes and degrading effects), deforestation, invasive species, wildfires, environmental change on livelihoods, declining biodiversity, biodiversity loss and potential solutions (conservation), biopiracy, major drivers of environmental change, environmental conflicts/movements, environmentalism
Climate change and disasters: vulnerability, resilience, adaptations to climate change, climate change and vulnerable sections

To familiarize with the basics/concepts of environment and society

To learn how humans adapt to environments

To understand the environmental views and traditions across societies/cultures

To examine the human-wildlife coexistence and conflicts

To explain the environmental and climate changes and crises

CO1: To describe the theories of human—environment interactions

CO2: To understand the human adaptability to the environment

CO3: To explain the views of the environment across diverse societies/cultures

CO4: To examine the human—wildlife interactions

CO5: To analyze the environmental changes and crises

Moran, E.F., Human Adaptability, New York and Abingdon: Routledge , 2022

Selin, H. (ed.). , Nature Across Cultures, Dordrecht: Springer , 2003

Harper, C and Snowden, M, Environment and Society, New York and Abingdon: Routledge , 2017

Descola, P. and Pálsson, G (eds.). , Nature and Society, London and New York: Routledge , 1996