Anthropology of the Anthropocene
Objectives
1. To understand the Anthropocene as a category, with evident political and ethical implications.
2. To understand the relationships of humans (past and present) with abiotic and biotic components of the environment, focusing on nonhuman primates.
3. To evaluate the impact of human activities in the ecosystems, particularly the tropics, and the environmental challenges faced in the Anthropocene.
4. To explore various ways of managing and interacting with the natural resources, from a sustainable perspective.
This module will enable the students to perceive the human being as a biological entity in interaction with the environment, which is affected by its changes but at the same time has a unique capacity to dramatically transform it
General characterization
Code
01105699
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Tânia Minhós Condeço Rodrigues
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - 168
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
N/A
Bibliography
- Alison, P. et al, 2016. “Human–environment Interactions in Population and Ecosystem Health”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(51): 14502-06.
- Crutzen, P. & E. Stoermer, 2000. “The ‘Anthropocene’”, Global Change Newsletter, 41:17-18.
- Moran, E., 2010. Environmental Social Science: Human-Environment Interactions and Sustainability. New Jersey: Wiley.
- Estrada, A., et al., 2017. "Impending Extinction Crisis of the World’s Primates: Why Primates Matter", Science advances, 3 (1), DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.160
- Henn, B. et al., 2019. "The Great Human Expansion", Resonance, 24(6): 711-18.
- Latour, B., 2017. "Anthropology at the Time of the Anthropocene”. In M. Brightman & J. Lewis (eds.) The Anthropology of Sustainability, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 35-49.
- Moore, A., 2016. "Anthropocene Anthropology: Reconceptualizing Contemporary Global Change", JRAI, 22 (1): 27-46.
- Tsing, A., 2015. The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins. Princeton UP.
Teaching method
Part of the classes will be lectures led by the professor, always providing the opportunity for questions and discussion. Some other will focus on the analysis and discussion of previously selected scientific papers
Evaluation method
Continuous assessment - There will be one written test covering all the taught topics and written/practical assays. Evaluation will be based on: a) Written test; b) Attendance/participation in classes and pratical/written assays; c) Final written essay(100%)
Subject matter
1. Anthropogenic planetary changes. Theoretical discussions around the idea of Anthropocene and the agency and responsibility in contemporary life.
2. History of interactions of human populations with other species and in particular with other primates
3. Impact of human activities on tropical ecosystems today
4. Resource Management and Sustainability