ENS244 Holistic Science and the Theory of GAIA

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2010
Extent and Intensity
3/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Eva Fraňková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Kateřina Rezková (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Karel Stibral, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Zbyněk Ulčák, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Dana Pantůčková
Timetable
Mon 13. 12. 10:00–11:30 Aula, 14:00–15:30 Aula, Tue 14. 12. 14:00–15:30 Aula, Wed 15. 12. 10:00–11:30 Aula, 13:00–18:00 bude_upresneno, Thu 16. 12. 10:00–11:30 Aula, 14:00–17:30 Aula, Fri 17. 12. 10:00–11:30 Aula, 14:00–15:40 Aula
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Holistic Science advocates a participatory science of qualities, values and interactions which underpins an ecological world view. Western scientific method is dominated by specialisation in disciplines and by ‘reductionism’ — the idea that natural phenomena can be explained and understood in terms of their smallest parts. The Course „Holistic Science and the Theory of GAIA“ explores new transdisciplinary methodologies that go beyond reductionism in understanding whole systems. This approach is more capable than traditional science of relating to the problems of environmental degradation, collapsing communities and spiritual decline that face humanity today. The participants of the course are able to take a broad, integrated approach within a wide range of disciplines such as environmental management, sustainable education, biological and social research, business management and design.
At the end of the course students should be able to understand what does it mean the term holistic science, explain the theory of GAIA and interpret it from Earth systems science, History and Ecophilosphy point of view.
The course is offered only in 2010. It is taught in English by British Reader in Holistic Science Stephan Harding, and will take part in one week. It will be probably between Monday 13.12.2010 and Friday 18.12.2010, on a daily basis including a field trip. Please follow the course information for a detailed time outline. Some changes can occur in the timeline.
Syllabus
  • Day 1 : Science with Qualities: New Scientific Methodologies An exploration of the philosophical and historical and methodologies of an expanded science that values qualities as much as quantities. This new approach cultivates intuition, sensory experience and ethics as well as rational thought as a way of understanding and interacting with the natural world. Deep Ecology, animism and science.
  • Day 2 : Gaia theory – What is Gaia ?– towards a holistic science of the earth. The philosophical and historical background to Gaia theory. Antecedents to the theory. James Lovelock and planetary atmospheres. The Evidence for Gaia. Early scientific criticisms of the theory.
  • Day 3 Gaia theory – Into Daisyworld Feedback and complex systems. Does Lovelock’s Daisyworld model answer the criticisms of Gaia theory? What does Daisyworld teach us about the real earth? Doing your own experiments with Daisyworld (Nadia and Eva please note: students will need to bring the laptops to a room with good internet access).
  • Day 4 Gaia theory – Carbon Journeys The elements as chemical ‘personalities’. The relationships between life, rocks, atmosphere and water that have regulated Earth’s temperature over geological time. An experiential journey into the carbon cycle.
  • Day 5 Gaia theory – How microbes rule the world. The impacts of early life on the Gaian self-regulation. Major transitions in Gaia’s evolution as a living planet. Modern oceanic algae and the earth’s climate. Final Gaian reflections. Partly taught by Czech Biologist Anton Markoš.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • LOVELOCK, James. The vanishing face of Gaia : a final warning. Edited by Martin J. Rees. 1st ed. London: Allen Lane, 2009, xiii, 177. ISBN 9781846142277. info
  • LOVELOCK, James. The revenge of Gaia : earth's climate in crisis and the fate of humanity. New York: Basic Books, 2007, 176 s. ISBN 9780465041695. info
  • LOVELOCK, James. Gaia : a new look at life on earth. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979, xviii, 146. ISBN 0192860305. info
Teaching methods
Teaching methods include preliminary reading, lectures, class and group discussions, field trip.
Assessment methods
Assessment for the course will consist of two parts: a essay and the mark for for attendance. 75% presence is needed.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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