ENS249 Permaculture

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2014
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Helena Vlašínová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Bohuslav Binka, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Bc. Petra Burišková
Supplier department: Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 9:45–11:15 M117
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 8 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
After graduating of this course students should have knowledge of the theoretical and practical possibilities of permaculture application. They should know its background and basic permaculture principles, including ethical ones. Even if the former content has been permaculture farming that respects nature ("permanent agriculture"), the application of ecosystem model to other areas of life (ethics, education, economics, architecture, construction, energy resources, bioregions, ...) caused permaculture spread to a practical approach for designing a sustainable society. Students will have opportunity to see many examples of applications of the PC principles and techniques and acquire basic knowledge and skills that can help them in making decisions and building sustainable systems in conditions of limited energy resources.
Syllabus
  • 1 / Concept of permaculture, permaculture as a model of sustainable living, basic definitions, history and basic principles of permaculture.
  • 2 / regional development in the context of a permaculture, compared with other concepts (continued growth, partial benefits and the global market).
  • 3 / design of sustainable human settlements based on the principles of the organic agriculture, the family farm, agricultural cooperative or permaculture design.
  • 4 / Collaboration or struggle with nature, finding of connections between functions, yields reasonable solutions and technologies. Comparative analysis of Permaculture with other philosophical platforms.
  • 5 / Energy flows in nature and in human-influenced landscape; efficient use of energy, use and protection of biological resources.
  • 6 / Energy crisis and “peak oil” theory. Energy efficient scheduling. Zones - by spheres of influence and intensity, sectors - by external influences.
  • 7 / Recycling resources in nature and human culture. Contrast of "Cowboy" and "Space" view in the economy. The use of the appropriate technology, examples of the use of alternative energy sources and waste-free technologies.
  • 8 / Use of natural succession model and the use of vertical space. Sustainable integrated production systems, agroforestry – comparaison with the Forest Stewardship Council system of certification.
  • 9 / Diversity at a general level, synergy, biodiversity, polyculture. Possibilities of utilization of tools and increased diversity. Soil as renewable or non-renewable source?
  • 10 / Social aspects of permaculture. Support for peripheral systems. Special techniques of agricultural production in arid and extremely barren areas of the developing world.
  • 11 / Water as an energy source. Comparison of different water management systems in the landscape and in human settlements. "Reusing" and recycling of water. Aquaculture, aquaponie.
  • 12 / "Sustainable" human settlements (farms, villages, cities) and their limits. Versus self-sufficiency of supply chain. Application of Permaculture in building human communities, local economic systems, examples of Transition activities to reduce energy dependence. "Transition” towns and villages.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • The Earthscan reader in sustainable agriculture. Edited by Jules N. Pretty. London: Earthscan, 2005, xxii, 405. ISBN 1844072363. info
  • Demo, M. Udržateľný rozvoj- život v medziach únosnej kapacity biosféry. Nitra : Slovenská poľnohospodárska univerzita v Nitre, 2007, 440 s. ISBN 978-80-8069-826-3
  • Nagy, E.: Manuál ekologické výstavby. Vyd. 2. Permakultura (CS), 2007. 225 s. ISBN 80-967972-0-4
  • MOLLISON, B. C. Úvod do permakultury. 2. vyd. Tyalgum: Tagari Publications, 1998, 178 s. info
  • DIAMOND, Jared M. Kolaps : proč společnosti zanikají a přežívají. Translated by Zdeněk Urban. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 2008, 751 s. ISBN 9788020015891. info
  • CÍLEK, Václav and Martin KAŠÍK. Nejistý plamen : průvodce ropným světem. 1. vyd. Praha: Dokořán, 2007, 191 s. ISBN 9788073631222. info
  • ŠMAJS, Josef. Ohrožená kultura (The thretend culture). Brno: Host, 2011, 272 pp. Edice odborných textů. ISBN 978-80-7294-458-3. info
  • Holmgren, D.: Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. Holmgren Design Services, Australia, 2003, 286 s. ISBN-10: 0646418440
  • Fukuoka M. The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming. Rodale Press, 1978, 226 s. ISBN-10: 0878572201
Teaching methods
The use of digital presentations will be combined with the interactive creating of "mind maps" and "brainstormings". The course includes student’s presentations, their discussion and comments of the lecturer. Two written tests will be done for the feedback. One simulation game will be played for better understanding. Excursion to three permaculture projects will complete theory by practical examples.
Assessment methods
The processing of a short essay on selected sub-topic related to the course syllabus, which students present at the seminar and discuss with others is necessary for graduation. Evaluations are carried out by other students (as form of competition) by anonym way and provides feedback, at the end of the semester winners will be announced. During the term, students pass two written tests. The course is concluded with an oral exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2014/ENS249