Course Code

HIST1123

Unit Bearing Information

3 units

Course Description

This course introduces students to the long-term dynamics of humanenvironmental interactions through the archaeological study of collapse and resilience. By examining past societies' responses to environmental and social challenges, students will develop an appreciation for the complexity of human adaptation and failure. The course emphasizes the relevance of these historical insights for contemporary sustainability issues. The objectives are to provide fundamental knowledge of key concepts like emergence, self-organization, resilience, vulnerability, and reorganization and to develop student's analytical skills in applying these ideas to archaeological cases. Through case studies, students will explore the multi-causal nature of societal change and regeneration. The course also seeks to enhance student's ability to critically assess archaeological evidence and understand the interplay between social and ecological systems across time.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

· Define the fundamental concepts, theoretical frameworks, and diverse models used in the study of social-ecological systems (SESs) in past societies, showing familiarity with critical perspectives on the relationships between ecological systems and human societies across different temporal and geographical scales, equipping them to engage with complex archaeological and environmental questions;

· Assess the multi-dimensional nature of societal collapse, sustainability, and regeneration through the application of various analytical approaches, including archaeological and ecological data, focusing on how social, and environmental factors interact to shape the resilience and vulnerability of past social-ecological systems;

· Articulate complex ideas clearly, synthesizing archaeological evidence and ecological data to construct compelling narratives of past societies by working collaboratively in teams and engaging in discussions and debates on archaeological and ecological topics;

· Evaluate how archaeological perspectives on societal resilience and collapse can inform contemporary sustainability debates, including a a deep appreciation for the value of historical insights in addressing present-day challenges related to resource management, ecological sustainability, and social resilience by exploring long-term social-ecological dynamics.

Course Schedule

Instructor

Prof. Zhichun JING

Medium of Instruction

English

Classroom

T6-502

Eligibility

A student who is currently studying for a bachelor degree.

Pre-requisite/ Co-requisite

Nil

Course Fee

1. RMB5,000 for UIC, HKBU and HKCHC students;

2. RMB7,500 for the students from other colleges/ universities.

Accomodation Fee

1. UIC students (Non-graduates): RMB10/ Person/ Day

2. UIC graduates: RMB60/ Person/ Day

3. HKBU, HKCHC and other students: RMB60/ Person/ Day

Note: The standard fee for summer accommodation in student hostel for 2025 is subject to final confirmation.