Main seminar „Biological and cultural diversity” 4018-SEM64-CLASS
The seminar, which will be taught by several teachers as well as guests representing different fields and disciplines, will discuss issues of biological diversity at different levels of organization of the animate world (from genes to landscapes and biomes) as well as cultural diversity (on a local and global scale). Individual classes will diagnose the state of biological and cultural diversity, the history of their discoveries, threats, the need for and methods of their protection, and also analyse the relations between nature and culture. The seminars will be based on the students’ own research, which will tie in with the research of the teachers. The year’s seminar will be summarized at a scientific panel during which the students will present oral reports on the results of research conducted during the seminar.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
In terms of knowledge, students will:
- know and understand methods of analysing and interpreting natural processes in the light of the theory of biological evolution and products of culture throughout history (ad. KW_06);
- know, understand and be able to apply the research methods of the humanities, social and natural sciences to knowledge on biological and cultural diversity (ad. KW_06)
- know the terminology used in the humanities, social and natural sciences in relation to knowledge on biological and cultural diversity (ad. KW_02)
- be able to conduct a critical analysis and interpretation of different kinds of texts, images and social phenomena related to the development of civilization and its natural and cultural foundations, using an original approach based on the latest achievements of the humanities, social and natural sciences (ad. KW_02)
- know the mechanisms of functioning of language, speech, texts, images and objects in cultural and evolutionary contexts (ad. KW-12)
- know different methods of interpreting literary, philosophical and scientific texts related to the biological and cultural foundations of the development of civilization (ad. KW_13)
- understand the biological, social and cultural aspects of the history of human civilization (ad. KW-16)
- be familiar with the basic canon of works of literature, theatre, music and visual arts, both Polish and international, related to issues of biological and cultural diversity (KW-15)
In terms of skills, students will:
- be able to analyse and interpret texts and images related to biological and cultural diversity (KU-2)
- be able to use different scientific methods to analyse the natural and cultural foundations of the development of civilization (ad. KU_02)
- be able to conduct a critical analysis and interpretation of different kinds of texts, images and social phenomena related to the development of civilization and its natural and cultural foundations, using an original approach based on the latest achievements of the humanities, social and natural sciences (ad. KU_05)
- be able to use their acquired knowledge in social activity related to nature and animals (ad. KU_06)
- be able to formulate research problems and critical opinions on texts of culture in different forms and different media, based on scientific knowledge on the biological and cultural foundations of the development of civilization as well as being able to present scientific and science popularization texts (ad. KU_07)
In terms of social competence, students will:
- understand the place and role of humans in the biosphere and their responsibility for the present and future shape of the world (KK_01)
- be able to use their acquired knowledge and skills in public activity and in their careers (KK_02)
- appreciate cultural tradition and heritage and natural heritage and the need to protect them, as well as participating in activity serving such protection on both a regional and a global scale (KK_06)
Assessment criteria
Being active in class, taking part in an Oxford-style debate, taking part in a panel discussion, written paper/research project
Bibliography
Baratay E., Zwierzęcy punkt widzenia. Inna wersja historii (Warszawa: 2014)
Biedrzycki M., Genetyka kultury (Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka 1998).
Böhme G. Filozofia i estetyka przyrody w dobie kryzysu ekologicznego, tłum. Merecki J. (Warszawa: Oficyna Naukowa 2002).
Boehm Ch., Hierarchy in the Forest. The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior (Cambridge (Mass.) — London: Harvard University Press 1999).
Buliiet R.W., Hunter s, Herders, and Hamburgers. (Columbia University Press 2005).
Diamond J., Upadek. Dlaczego niektóre społeczeństwa upadły a innym się udało?, Warszawa: Prószyński i S-ka, 2007).
Donaldson S., Kymlicka W., Zoopolis. A Political Theory of Animal Rights (Oxford University Press 2011).
de Waal F., Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals (Cambridge [Mass]: Harvard University Press 1996).
de Waal F., Małpy I filozofowie. Skąd pochodzi moralność?, tłum. Brożek B., Furman M. (Kraków: Coeprnicus Center Press 2013).
Futuyma D. Ewolucja. (Wyd. UW, 2005).
Katz L. D., Evolutionary Origins of Morality: Cross Disciplinary Perspectives ( Thorverton (UK) — Bowling Green (USA): Imprint Academic 2000).
Kohn E. How Forests Think. Toward an Anthropology Beyond the Human, 2013.
Krebs Ch. Ekologia. Warszawa 2011. PWN.
Morris D., The Artist Ape. Three Million Years of Art (London: Red Lemon Press 2013).
Oates J. F., Myth and Reality in the Rain Forest / How Conservation Strategies Are Failing in West Africa (University of California Press, Berkeley 1999).
Pearce F., The New Wild – Why Invasive Species Will Be Nature’s Salvation (Boston: Beacon Press 2015).
Popkiewicz M. Świat na rozdrożu (Wyd. Sonia Draga 2012).
Popper K.R., Eccles J. C., The Self and Its Brain (Springer 1985).
Ridley M., O pochodzeniu cnoty, tłum. Koraszewska M., Poznań: Dom Wydawniczy Rebis 2000).
Singer, P., Wyzwolenie zwierząt, tłum. A. Alichniewicz i A. Szczęsna
(Warszawa: PIW 1995)
Szymborski K. Poprawka z natury. Biologia, kultura, seks, (Prószyński i S-ka, Warszawa 1999).
Landscape, natural beauty and the arts, ed. Kemal S., Gaskell I. (Cambridge University Press 1993).
Weiner J. Życie I ewolucja biosfery. Warszawa 2016. PWN.
Zestaw lektur ulegnie rozszerzeniu i może ulec zmianom w trakcie realizacji projektów badawczych studentów, w zależności od poziomu ich wiedzy i zainteresowań.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: