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Unit of study_
OLES1602: The Apocalypse in Science and Culture
2025 unit information
Apocalypse scenarios abound in popular culture, due to causes as diverse as nuclear war, climate change, and zombies. Thinking about how the apocalypse might occur, and how to survive it, presents deep questions around our understanding of science, economics and social culture. This unit will investigate topical issues in nuclear physics, climate science, agriculture and economics. We will use examples from film and literature to explore how we might survive apocalyptic events. In this highly interdisciplinary unit of study you will work together with other students on a diverse range of case studies, to explore some of the key problems confronting our civilization. By doing this unit you will develop critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as practical skills in video production.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Physics Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of different apocalyptic scenarios
- LO2. Describe examples of potentially catastrophic issues facing our society, such as climate change and economic collapse
- LO3. Use online research to explore threats to our society and possible solutions in an interdisciplinary context
- LO4. Analyse how fictional representations of apocalyptic scenarios reflect our concerns and inform debate about threats to society
- LO5. Analyse a particular aspect of an apocalyptic scenario in depth, connecting to the broader scientific and social context
- LO6. Create a video to communicate ideas, using appropriate technology
- LO7. Work in groups to plan and implement a major project
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2024
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
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Semester 2 2024
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Semester 2 2025
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Online | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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