LNAK10081U Nature Perception - Theories and Methods for Investigation

Volume 2014/2015
Education
MSc Programme in Nature Management
MSc Programme in Agriculture
MSc Programme in Landscape Architecture
Content

The perspectives of full time and hobby farmers, foresters, biologists or visitors to the countryside might serve as examples of different and often conflicting interests in the same areas. In lectures the students will be introduced to different methods, approaches and frameworks (from environmental psychology, anthropology, sociology, environmental ethics, human geography, GISience etc.) for analyses of perceptions of nature. Further, values of selected groups of people will be presented and discussed.
Based on introductory lectures the use of different methods for investigations of perceptions of nature will be exercised.

Learning Outcome

The course has two overall goals: to make the students aware of their personal biases in relation to landscape values; and to enable them to identify, analyze and compare the meanings of nature of different stakeholders in order to generate appropriate solutions to problems and/or conflicts in the countryside.

Knowledge: Present examples of different theories and methodologies for analyzing meanings of nature and describe and compare their content

Skills: Ability to select and use methods and theories for analyses and comparison of nature perception in concrete cases.

Competences: Ability to present and discuss similarities and differences of nature perception based on theories and empery.

Litterature will be accessible from KUnet. Includes:

Arler, F. (2011). Landscape Democracy in a Globalizing World: The Case of TangeLake. Landscape Research 36(4): 487-507.

Buijs, A. (2009). Historical views on nature in Buijs, A. Public natures: Social representations of nature and local practices, Alterra, Wageningen, pp. 50-59. 

Buijs A, (2009). Lay people's image of nature: Comprehensive frameworks of values, beliefs, and value orientations. Society & Natural Resources 22(5), pp. 417-32.

Caspersen, OH. & Olafsson, AS (2010).  Recreational mapping and planning for enlargement of the green structure in greater Copenhagen. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, vol 9/2, pp. 101-112.

Douglas, M. (1996): “Four Cultural Types”. In Douglas, M. Thought Styles. Critical Essays on Good Taste. Sage Publications,London,Thousand Oaks,New Delhi, pp. 83-92.
 

Elliot, R. 1995. Faking Nature. In Elliot, R. (ed) Environmental ethics. Oxford University Press, pp 76-88.

Gamborg, C & Gjerris, M. 2009, ' The price of responsibility: ethical perspectives '. In: M Gjerris, C Gamborg, JE Olesen & J Wolf (red), Earth on fire: climate change from a philosophical and ethical perspective. Alfa, Copenhagen, s. 89-113

Gamborg C. & Sandøe P. (2004): Beavers and biodiversity: The ethics of ecological restoration, in Oksanen, M. & J.Pietarinen (eds.) Philosophy and Biodiversity, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK, pp. 217-236.

Gentin, S. (2011). Outdoor recreation and ethnicity in Europe– a review. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 10, pp. 153-161.

Gjerris M (2012): The willed blindness of humans: animal welfare and beyond, in Potthas T & Meisch S: Climate change and sustainable development. Ethical perspectives on land use and food production. Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp. 35-40.
 


Manning, R.E. (2011). Outdoor Recreation Places. Emotional and Symbolic Meanings. In: Manning, R.E. (ed): Studies in Outdoor Recreation. Search and Research for Satisfaction. Chapter 12, pp. 256-272.ThirdEd.OreganStateUniversityPress.
 

Meinig, D.W. (1979): The Beholding Eye. "Ten versions of the Same Scene" in Meinig, D.W. (ed.) (1979): The Interpretation of Ordinary Landscape. Geographical essays, Oxford University Press, New York, Oxford, pp. 33-48.

Olafsson, A.S. 2012. Recreation Experience Mapping: Development, Validation and Implementation. Forest & Landscape Research 57, pp. 1-29.

Plieninger et al 2013. Assessing, mapping, and quantifying cultural ecosystem services at community level. Land Use Policy 33, 118-129

Sandell, K. 2007. A Conceptual Framework of Ecostrategies. Paper presented on 2nd Nordic Geographers Meeting in Bergen, Norway, June 15-17, 2007, pp.1-18.

Selman, P. (2006). People and Landscapes. In: P. Selman (ed): Planning at the landscape scale. Routledge, London, PP. 51-68.

Teel, T.L.; Manfredo, M.J.; Jensen, F.S.; Buijs, A.E.; Fischer, A.; Riepe, C.; Arlinghaus, R.; Jacobs, M.H. (2010). Understanding the cognitive basis for human-wildlife relationships as a key to successful protected-area management. International Journal of Sociology 40/3, pp. 104 – 123.

Williams, Daniel R. (2008). Pluralities of place: A user′s guide to place concepts, theories, and philosophies in natural resource management. In: Kruger, Linda. E.; Hall, Troy E.; Stiefel, Maria C., tech. eds. Understanding concepts of place in recreation research and management. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-744. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. p. 7-30

Bacelor degree in Natural Resource Management, Landscape Architecture, Geography, Biology or something similar
Fundamental theoretical understanding of the different perceptions of nature now and in other historical epochs are presented in lectures and obtained through individual readings. Practical knowledge is acquired through exercises, field trips and visits to relevant institutions/​organizations. Personal skills of analysis, interpretation and presentation are developed through plenary discussions.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Excursions
  • 12
  • Guidance
  • 1
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Preparation
  • 146
  • Project work
  • 1
  • Theory exercises
  • 5
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 25 min.
Individual written synopsis. The written synopsis is elaborated by the student in 10 minutes, followed by 15 minutes oral examination.

Weight: Written synopsis 30%, oral examination 70%.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome (målbeskrivelse).