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Ecological Pioneers

NEW COURSE CCC
Social Fuzziology





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 Stories
That
Make
US
 Stolen Generation
Kerry Baxter
Recognising Diversity
Sept 11
 

           
 

                      
Stories that make us.                                 
           

"I think the 21st century will be the century of complexity" Stephen Hawking
UWS logo

COMPLEXITY, CHAOS and CREATIVITY

Masters Program
offered through the Internet
Click here to go to
Vladimir's Homepage

University of Western Sydney

This Masters Program introduces you to the powerful and exciting approaches of Complexity and Chaos Theory  that are indispensable for understanding  the complex and dynamic world of the 21st Century.


New insights, methods, concepts and strategies grounded in practical applications in a wide range of activities - in government, business, commerce, human and environmental health , are introduced through Internet to enhance your ability not only to think in complexity but also to cope creatively with critical social dynamics at the Edge of Chaos - a metaphor for the way our life unfolds at the beginning of the New Millennium.

The program is tailored to meet the needs of adult learners who wish to pursue postgraduate study on a part-time basis while remaining committed to professional and personal responsibilities.

For more information please contact Dr Dimitrov on 4570 1903 or email v.dimitrov@uws.edu.au

Vladimir's Homepage

COMPLEXITY, CHAOS and CREATIVITY Internet Masters Program
All who completed this program expressed great satisfaction with the studied material.
They found it inspirational and stimulating both in their growth in consciousness and realizations in work.

The program consists of 8 units:

* Introduction to Complexity, Chaos and Creativity,
* Techniques for Working with Social Complexity,
* Fuzzy Logic for Social Science and Humanist Research,
* Use of Narratology for Dealing with Social Complexity,
* Managing Organizations at the Edge of Chaos,
* Exploring Complex Dynamics of Human identity;
* Complexity, Spirituality and Ethics;
* Complexity, Chaos, Creativity Practicum.


c
COMPLEXITY, CHAOS and CREATIVITY Internet Masters Program
click here to go to
Vladimir's Homepage

University of Western Sydney

'Social Fuzziology'
Study of Fuzziness of Social Complexity
Date: 03/04/2002

Our potential never-ending growth of
Humanity Intelligence and Spirit
~ multiple challenges of today's ever-accelerating social complexity ~

The papers included in the book focus on the knowledge and experience of the researchers in relation both to the engineering applications of 'soft' (fuzz logic based) computing and to its social and philosophical implications at the dawn of the third millennium.

Social fuzziology shows how to transcend the limitation of this fuzziness and to harness our potential for a never-ending growth of humanity in intelligence and spirit.

The book focuses on both the engineering applications of fuzzy logic and soft computing and its social applications and philosophical insights at the dawn of the third millennium.

Social Fuzziology

To order the new book on Social Fuzziology, please click at Springer-Verlag .


"Academics and postgraduate students will find a lot of interesting ideas and applications in this book, particularly in the first chapter called Understanding Society, " Dr Dimitrov says.

Fuzziology is the study of the sources, the nature and the dynamics of uncertainty (fuzziness) inherent in human understanding and dealing with complex systems, be they natural or artificial, real or virtual.


Excerpts from the book
Social Fuzziology


For more information on Social Fuzziology please contact Dr Dimitrov on 4570 1903 or email
v.dimitrov@uws.edu.au

Vladimir's Homepage

"A new branch of human-centred research called social fuzziology has been brought into life to respond to the multiple challenges of today's ever-accelerating social complexity," Dr Dimitrov says.


"Fuzzy Logic 'softens' the hardness of today's industry, management and business through algorithms and program that are able to model human skill, experience and decision-making to make these worlds more flexible, responsive and friendly."

The book consists of three parts:
• Understanding Society,
• Mathematics,
• and Modelling and Control Systems.

The first part reveals different aspects of fuzziology, a new study of fuzziness inherent in human knowledge.

The second part explores the mathematical foundations of soft computing,

while the third part elicits its innovative engineering applications.



'Fuzzy Logic'
Revolutionises Problem-Solving
Date: 03/04/2002

~ the way people look at information processing ~


'Fuzzy Logic: A Framework for the New Millennium'
 (Heidelberg and New York: Springer-Verlag, 2002).


Two Australian academics - Vladimir Dimitrov from the University of Western Sydney and Victor Korotkich from Central Queensland University - have edited a new book that has the potential to dramatically change the way people look at information processing.






Fuzzy Logic

Dr Dimitrov believes fuzzy logic opens a "new challenging perspective in information processing".

"This perspective emerges out of the ideas of the founder of fuzzy logic, Lotfi Zadeh, to develop 'soft' tools for direct computing with human perceptions," he says.


For more information please contact Dr Dimitrov on 4570 1903 or email v.dimitrov@uws.edu.au

Vladimir's Homepage

'Fuzzy Logic' revolutionises problem-solving

To order the new book on Fuzzy Logic, please click at Springer-Verlag .

'Fuzzy Logic: A Framework for the New Millennium' (Heidelberg and New York: Springer-Verlag, 2002).


                       




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 'Ecological Pioneers' Book Release
  Sydney Writers Festival 2002  http://www.swf.org.au
 

         
 
Stuart Hill

Stuart Hill holds the Foundation Chair of Social Ecology and Lifelong Learning at the University of Western Sydney and is the general editor of the journal Ecopolitics. He is co-author of Ecological Pioneers: a social history of ecological thought and action. 

 

         

         
 
Martin Mulligan

Martin Mulligan is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Ecology and Lifelong Learning at the University of Western Sydney, where he teaches subjects related to the history of ecological ideas, environmental values, environmental education, intercultural understanding and action, and organisational change.

           
Ecological Pioneers
Joseph Banks, 
Russell Drysdale, 
Judith Wright, 
Myles Dunphy, 
Philip Crosbie Morrison, 
Vincent Serventy, 
Francis Ratcliffe, 
the Gurindji and Yolngu peoples, 
Bill Mollison, 
Jack Mundey, 
Val Plumwood, 
Michael Leunig, 
and many more.
       





Whenever the history of ecological thought has been written the contributions of Australian thinkers have been omitted. Yet Australia as a continent of extreme, rare and complex environments has produced a startling group of ecological pioneers. Across a wide range of human endeavour, Australian thinkers and innovators - whether they have thought of themselves as environmentalists or not - have made some truly original contributions to ecological thought. 


Ecological Pioneers traces the emergence of ecological understandings in Australia. By constructing a social history with chapters focusing on different fields in the arts, sciences, politics and public life, the authors bring to life the work of significant individuals. 


Some of the ecological pioneers featured include Joseph Banks, Russell Drysdale, Judith Wright, Myles Dunphy, Philip Crosbie Morrison, Vincent Serventy, Francis Ratcliffe, the Gurindji and Yolngu peoples, Bill Mollison, Jack Mundey, Val Plumwood, Michael Leunig, and many more.

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 'Ecological Pioneers' For a review of the book     http://www.uws.edu.au/serg/booksreviewed.html  

     

          
      CONTENTS 


       




  1. Introduction;

  2. The colonisation of Australian nature and the first stirrings of ecological thought;

  3. Seeing the land in a new light: people and landscapes in Australian art;

  4. Of drovers’ wives and a timeless land: land and identity in Australian literature;

  5. Taking nature to the public: nature education in public media;

  6. Towards a conservation ethic: birth of the conservation movement;

  7. Working at the edges of mainstream science: Australian innovations in ecological science;

  8. Thinking like an ecosystem: Australian innovations in reconceptualising and redesigning land and resource management;

  9. Challenging terra nullius views of people and nature: on the origins and impact of the Aboriginal Land Rights Movement;

10. Green politics in the wide brown land: the cross-fertilisation of wilderness politics and social justice agendas;

11. Towards a communicative ethic: some Australian contributions to ecophilosophy;

12. Conclusions.
To Purchase
       



Ecological Pioneers - Cambridge University Press






 
                 Visit the Australia West Papua Association, Sydney Newletters 



       
RECOGNISING DIVERSITY
Click here to read the full paper "Recognising Diversity" by Mary Kalantzis

Professor Mary Kalantzis from RMIT University presents a paper exposing the black holes that still exist in Australia's history.

Professor Mary Kalantzis
Dean of the Faculty of Education,
Language and Community Services
RMIT University, Australia 
"At that moment (1901) we said we were going to be a fair and equal society and egalitarianism was at the core of it - but it was only for some people not for others - only for those who were going to be white and British."
Mary Kalantzis talks about the history of the past one hundred years of Australia, the history that isn't taught and consequently is hidden. It compels to agree,we do not know our own history and the profound difference that constitutes to the reality of today.
"We are being self congratulatory but for the wrong reasons - I think there are good reasons to name who we are... but we've missed the opportunity."
Thursday 22/2/01 Mary Kalantzis spoke on the TODAY SHOW (Australia Sydney, Channel Nine 7.00 AM) on her views of the bicentenary celebration exposing the black holes that still exist in Australia's history. 

Here are some excerpts from The Today Show:



In response to a question on comparison of ideology to Nazi Germany, Mary Kalantzis replies:
"It's the same modern ideology about people who could survive, people who were superior, and people who were inferior. In 1901 we decided that Aboriginal people weren't human, because we didn't count them as humans, and what we decided we needed to do after that is to segregate them in similar kind of ways.
There were one million aboriginal people perhaps more - by Federation there was a hundred thousand - what do you call that. It was the destruction of a people that was systematic, based on an idea at the time that they weren't worthy."


1901 - The way it was:
"Alfred Deakin said, "We do not want any admixture of race - the motivation for Federation was no admixture of race - one people one nation one culture". That's what he said.

Mary asks, "Why don't we know our history - why don't we know the truth of it? It is a good country. At that moment we said we were going to be a fair and equal society and egalitarianism was at the core of it - but it was only for some people not for others - only for those who were going to be white and British. Why don't we face up to that.

If we did, we had recognize how far we've come, we'd recognize that today we are a different people - we are a country that's multi-cultural - we are a country that is trying to deal with indigenous business that's unfinished.

If we would recognized that it would be a terrific story... but we didn't. 

A white-washed silence:
This year what we tried to do is white-washed the Federation so there was a continuous link with the noble founding fathers and we've left unfinished business which has allowed the extremism to grow in our country that has no compassion for aboriginal people - that has no compassion for refugees -  that doesn't understand what immigrants have done, and in that silence we have created a shameful situation that doesn't represent who you or I or most of us.

We are a different nation. Why didn't we face up to the fact that 2001 is entirely different from 1901 and that we needed to renovate our Constitution, renovate our soul, renovate the way we represent ourselves."



On reflection:
"What we've done in the past fifty years is an extraordinary story - we've done it together - aborigines, none aborigines, immigrants - women, women weren't even included in 1901. It's a terrific story. 

But 1901 is not the moment that will give us anything to be proud of - it's what we've done since despite 1901.

And I think this was the year we had to face up to that, and that was my point. Germany recognizes that - the horrible history, they haven't said let's forget it - they said it's important to remember it, so we don't repeat it.

A blancmange:
But what we've done in our country is blancmange this year - absolute blancmange, we've partied - we've had a white stuffed baby floating over peoples heads down the streets of Sydney and we've been self congratulatory - for the wrong reason, and I think there are good reasons to name who we are, but we've missed the opportunity."
John Zulaikha


Mary Kalantzis was born in Valcouvina, Greece and arrived in Australia in 1953. Her work has been at the interface between community, industry and university. Prior to her arrival at RMIT University, Professor Kalantzis was Professor of Education at James Cook University of North Queensland and Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies. Professor Kalantzis’ extensive record of research and scholarship covers the fields of school education, adult and vocational education and training, and multicultural studies. She is the author or co-author of six major books, four of which have been published internationally, 20 research reports and 37 refereed journal articles. 

Click here to read the full paper "Recognising Diversity" by Mary Kalantzis
           
 
         
 
 
           



       
 
 
     
C O N F L I C T     R E S O L U T I O N     N E T W O R K
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conflict Resolution Network
Invitation | Register | Manifesto | Services
The purpose of The Conflict Resolution Network 
is to research, develop, teach and implement 
the theory and practice of Conflict Resolution 
throughout a national and international network
and to concern ourselves with conflict 
from the global and international 
to the local and personal. 

We do this believing that, 
for the peaceful society,
there is much goodwill; 
what we lack is good skill.

Conflict resolution skilling is the individual’s basic tool 
in making a lasting contribution to peace.
We believe that a culture of peace depends on building conflict-resolving community 
everywhere.

...more!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (Social Ecology) 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Dr Karen Bridgman
"Rhythms of Awakening; Re-membering the Her-story and Mythology of Women in Medicine".
Dr Bridgman's thesis is based on the stories of lived experience of two groups of women, the first was a group of women healers working in many areas of medicine, and the second, a group of academic women. Their stories have been woven into his-storical, mythological and theoretical context. This research weaves a rich tapestry - re-membering the women who were healers in the past and re-connecting with women healers today - their stories and their myths. It is a healing and research journey for re-balancing of our feminine:masculine principles in medicine and in life.

The thesis critiques both science and scientific medicine, while offering more holistic alternatives as part of the this process. Multi-method, using feminist research, cooperative inquiry and narrative approaches are used throughout the thesis. In all, the research thesis is embedded in both a socialist feminist framework and that of depth psychology/mythology. It is based on feminist research methods and cooperative inquiry methodology and uses narrative for the recounting of the experience. It is also a heuristic inquiry that offers constructive critique using reflexive learning and explores the richness of difference in philosophies of healing and the experience of transformation.

It is a social, economical and political thesis for change for medicine today and for the future.

Some references:

a) Eisler, Riane (1987)  The Chalice and The Blade - Our History and our Future - London, Unwin Hyman.
b) Baring, Ann & Cashford, Jules (1993)  The Myth of the Goddess - Evolution of an Image - London, Arkana
c) Gimbutas, Marija (1989)  The Language of the Goddess - New York, Harper Collins (for some of the archeological evidence - she has written several books on her findings).
d) Graves, Robert (1961)  The White Goddess - London, Faber & Faber (on old classic and possibly one of the first books acknowledging the ancient goddess).
e) Nicholson, Shirley (ed) (1989)  The Goddess Reawakening - The Feminine Principle Today - Illinois, Quest Books.


If you are into videos on the ancient goddess cosmologies - you can't go past the National Film Board of Canada - 'The Goddess Remembered' It is one a series of 3 videos that tell some of the ancient stories of women and the goddess cultures, and how these were destroyed with the rise of the patriarchal cultures. Worth a look. We need to re-member and re-claim these women and this female cosmology or we will always have a one-sided, patriarchal culture.

 
 
 
 
 
 
UPDATE 2007
Graduate Certificate in Social Ecology: http://handbook.uws.edu.au/hbook/course.asp?course=1577
Masters of Social Ecology: http://handbook.uws.edu.au/hbook/course.asp?course=1579



     
SOCIAL ECOLOGY University of Western Sydney-Hawkesbury 
         
 
 
 
 
 
 





 
Ask Catherine
 


     
 
 Want to become an Agent of Change?            

How you can become part of a learning community and find ways to make a difference
while earning yourself a university degree?

SOCIAL ECOLOGY at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus, currently offers positions to Undergraduates and Postgraduates for the academic year.

SOCIAL ECOLOGY is an exciting cutting edge program which believes that effective social transformation for our times requires us to integrate individual, social and environmental issues which affect us.

SOCIAL ECOLOGY favours an experiential learning model that puts you at the centre of your education.  We recognise the value of what students bring to our learning community and offer ways to share and reflect on your own life experiences. You will be continually encouraged and supported to apply learning in Social Ecology to your life and work. You will learn to think critically about the key issues that affect Humanity and the Earth today, and discover your own capacity to work with others to make a difference.

We take a holistic approach to learning. As well as intellectual learning we also value artistic and creative expression, and other ways of knowing.

Our academic programs are like no other courses available anywhere.

Social Ecology can change your life!






 
 

 




UPDATE 2007
Graduate Certificate in Social Ecology: http://handbook.uws.edu.au/hbook/course.asp?course=1577
Masters of Social Ecology:
 
http://handbook.uws.edu.au/hbook/course.asp?course=1579

Ask Catherine Camden-Pratt
PG Coursework Coordinator 02 4736 0275

Take the challenge, expand your horizons
You can call Kathy Adam on 02 4570-1288
call the University on 1800 630 637 

Learn more about our programs and how to get into our amazing course


              University of Western Sydney               
 

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
           





 
         
 
 
 
         
               

 
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