Duration
3h Th, 42h Pr, 1d FW
Number of credits
| Master in anthropology, research focus | 5 crédits | |||
| Master in sociology, research focus | 6 crédits | |||
| Master in sociology, teaching focus | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux, Charline Jamar, François Melard, Melissa Schneider, Peegdsom Simplice Assomption Yameogo
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The 20th century has highlighted the significant influence of industrialised societies on the geology and the Earth system that living beings - humans, animals, plants, etc. - have inherited for almost 4 billion years. At the same time, the Earth system influences retroactively the conditions of existence of many living species, including humanity itself. Floods, droughts, fires, climatic displacements, zoonoses and heat waves are critical episodes that our societies are experiencing in the Anthropocene era.
This course will aim to develop a sociological approach to a concrete environmental crisis. Based on the testimony of actors who have experienced this crisis on the front line, it will aim to collect their discourse and analyse it in order to put into perspective the complexity and diversity of the problems encountered by various publics with the various practices that emerge and make up the processes of dealing with these problems. We will base our work on the "Public-Based-Learning" method (Mélard et al., 2015).
By adopting an actor-based approach to environmental problems, this methodological perspective aims to illustrate the contribution of exploration in the study of complexity, in that it allows for a distancing and a systemic understanding of problems. Thus, by taking into account the diversity of experiences and points of view; hesitations and contradictions; divergences and convergences of discourse in the analysis, uncertainty becomes a learning resource.
In order to implement this systemic analysis, this seminar will be based on small groups works using the C.A.T.W.O.E. grid. This tool, inspired by Checkland's Soft System Methodology (1999), makes it possible to observe the way in which a situation is conceived as problematic by analysing the discourse of the actors.
The purpose of this seminar in human sciences will then be dedicated to problem solving and intervention oriented.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The course aims to equip students with a method for collecting and analysing discourses; and to stimulate their ability to question actors and to discuss collectively the collected material.
Students will be expected to be able to mobilise a discourse analysis grid;
...to present their analysis orally;
...to understand environmental problems and the societal issues that arise from them;
...to construct a research question around a problematised object;
...to conduct a thematic analysis;
...to adopt an analytical and grounded perspective throughout their work;
...to integrate the methodological resources available to them;
...to discuss other research works from their peers;
...to understand the complexity of critical phenomena.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
/
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The teaching method will be based on an empirically grounded approach leading students to conduct a case study. In 2023-2024, this case study will focus on the ways in which humans and beavers coexist.
It will be based on the intervention of actors concerned by these issues of coexistence, their management, their effects and their evolution, particularly since the floods of July 2021 in Wallonia. In addition, a one-day fieldwork will be conducted during the first week of the seminar.
Each presentation will be followed by a questions and answers session, a moment of individual reflection and finally a group analysis.
Each group will be supported by several supervisors who will assist them throughout the seminar.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The course is given exclusively in person during two non-consecutive weeks. Students are responsible for making arrangements to attend each session.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Mélard, F., Denayer, D., & Semal, N. (2015). " Public-Based-Learning": The Place of Publics in Exploring Environmental Controversies for Pedagogical Purposes. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 10(6), 905-920. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1082095.pdf
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Additional information:
The final grade of the seminar is based on 3 evaluation methods:
- An individual and daily work (25% of the final grade): a report in the form of an analysis grid per speaker will be due at the end of each day. These CATWOE grids, commented and argued, will give an account, over the days, of the evolution of your analysis during these two weeks.
- A group presentation (25%): participants will orally present the results of their analysis on the last day of the course. Based on a perspective of all points of view and dimensions, you will have to deepen in group a theme chosen for its contribution to the formulation of a relevant definition of the problem studied.
- A written and open book exam will be held in the January session (50%): a critical and reflective synthesis will complete the individual assessment for each student.
Please note that the participation in all of these three assessment modalities is required to obtain a final mark of 10/20 or higher.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Confidentiality clause :
In the context of a seminar based on the sharing of experience, we remind you of the importance of exercising discretion with regard to the experiences of the speakers who have come to testify. Therefore, we remind you that this seminar is subject to both the confidentiality rules set out in the RGPD and the General Regulations on Studies and Examinations.
Any recording or sharing of documents outside the seminar is therefore forbidden. Out of respect for the speakers, no breach of these rules will be tolerated.
Contacts
Team :
Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux - nantoine@uliege.be (health management - OneHealth)
Caroline De Backer - cdebacker@uliege.be (secretary Giris Master - OneHealth)
Isabelle Guisset - i.guisset@uliege.be (secretary FaSS Masters)
François Mélard - f.melard@uliege.be (sociology)
Nawel Zarhouni - nawel.zarhouni@uliege.be (sociology)
Mélissa Schneider - melissa.schneider@uliege.be (sociology)
Charline Jamar - charline.jamar@uliege.be (sociologie)
Yameogo Peegdsom Simplice Assomption - psayameogo@uliege.be (Health Management - OneHealth)