Reason For Learning
In this area of study students examine current relationships between humans and outdoor environments. They examine a number of ways outdoor environments are portrayed in different media; the dynamic nature of relationships between humans and their environment; and the social, cultural, economic and political factors that influence these relationships.
Students engage in practical outdoor experiences that enable them to collect information about, and reflect on and analyse, contemporary relationships with outdoor environments.
For the purposes of this study, ‘contemporary’ refers to events and interactions within the last ten to fifteen years.
Learning Intention
On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse and evaluate the factors influencing contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments, with reference to specific outdoor experiences.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of
Study 2.
Key knowledge
Contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments reflected in different forms of
conservation, recreation, primary industries, and tourism practices.
The factors influencing contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments, including:
– the effects of different technologies
– commercialisation of outdoor environments and outdoor experiences
– portrayals of outdoor environments and outdoor experiences in the media, music, art, writing and advertising
– social responses to risk taking
– social and political discourses about climate change, water management, biosecurity and other
contemporary environmental issues.
Key skills
• plan for and reflect upon a range of practical sustainable outdoor experiences and analyse relevant information collected during these experiences
• compare and contrast different contemporary societal relationships with outdoor environments
• analyse and evaluate factors influencing contemporary societal relationships with outdoor
environments
• analyse contemporary social and political discourses about environmental issues.
Key Vocabulary Terms