Curtin University’s latest Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Environmental Studies: A Global Perspective, is designed to give participants a firm grounding in the basic principles of environmental studies, and how these factors are manifested in urban, rural and natural areas throughout the world.
Professor Teri Balser, Curtin Dean of Teaching and Learning for Science and Engineering, said environmental studies was an integration of arts and humanities, social science, and natural and physical sciences, all contributing to our understanding of environmental issues and solutions.
“Environmental studies is broader than environmental science, or even sustainability,” Professor Balser said.
“It is something that belongs to everyone, in every field.
“By bringing together many different disciplines, environmental studies helps us address some of the world’s most important and complex problems, such as sustainable resource use, energy consumption, development, and food security — issues that affect our survival as a species,” Professor Balser said.
Professor Joseli Macedo, Curtin Head of School of Built Environment, who will co-facilitate the MOOC with Professor Balser, said the course would take a solutions-focused approach to environmental issues.
“Participants will engage with this MOOC by observing, analysing and getting involved in their own communities,” Professor Macedo said.
“They will share explorations of their local environments with other participants and discuss the challenges we face in different parts of the world.
“The intention is to create a global learning and action community that will think creatively about potential solutions to environmental issues in the 21st century,” Professor Macedo said.
Environmental Studies: A Global Perspective is the fourth MOOC Curtin has developed and offered in partnership with edX, a world-leading online learning destination and MOOC provider.
Curtin is the only university in Western Australia in the edX Consortium.
Environmental Studies: A Global Perspective begins 12 September.
For more information and to register, visit www.courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/curtin-online/moocs.cfm
