Courses objectives
- Explain how people use plants, animals and other elements of their environment, how they conceive of that environment, and how conceptions and representations of that environment influence its use
- Present some current debates related to the environment, such as the social construction of the concept of biodiversity, and the conflicts of representation and their consequences on environmental management.
Course contents
The module focuses on the interactions between humans and their environment. Ethno-science considers these interactions in their ecological, historical and socio-cultural context:
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Definitions of ethno-sciences, history and relevance to the study of knowledge and practices about nature
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Towards a reintegration of man in biological science approaches? What cooperation with ethnosciences is possible?
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Local knowledge and nature management
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From knowledge to practices and policies: what relations between management in practice and environmental policies?
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Issues of valorisation of local knowledge
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Concluding debate: the reorganisation of knowledge and practices on nature in the context of global environmental issues and new social dynamics - relevance of ethnosciences in a changing world.
Teaching and learning methods
Each half-day consists of a lecture and the critical analysis of two scientific articles presented by two students in pairs (presenting, comparing and discussing different points of view). The wide geographical experience of the lecturers allows this approach to be illustrated by various examples from different ecosystems.
Course evaluation
The grades are based on the evaluation of the presentations and the analysis of the papers.
Target skills
- Knowledge of the various conceptions and representations of the environment and their influence on the use made of it
- Ability to characterise the conceptions of the environment associated with a given social group, so as to be able to understand that group's system of action
- Knowledge of major environmental issues such as the social construction of the concept of biodiversity
