Contents: The theoretical fundamentals of cultural ecology and ethnology are conveyed in their relevance for understanding the connections between man and forest. Particular emphasis has been placed on the analysis of factors that influence the activities of stakeholders in tropical forests and woodlands. Besides traditional knowledge of the forest, above all, the meaning of local moral concepts and spiritual and religious concepts are dealt with. The student is given a survey of traditional forest use in the tropics as well as of the colonial and post-colonial influences and changes. Analyses of forest utilization under the influence of globalisation touch the area of forest policies. Abstract patterns of explanation are substantiated by case studies. The awareness of the respective knowledge systems is the foundation for explaining the local learning behaviour and innovation. Based on this, systems of extension are introduced. The methods of forest extension like individual extension, networks and participatory approaches are explained and trained in detail. Limits and possibilities for initiating technological changes are discussed as an area touching the Module Project Planning and Evaluation.

Goals of qualification: The student is capable of analysing, understanding and modelling the cultural assets, which are important for the relationship man-forest. He can differentiate between the most important influential factors including the local value concepts and the spiritual and religious ideals according to the various cultural zones of the tropical countries.

The student knows the factors influencing the human behaviour and learning and is able to control processes within the intercultural context and at international level.

Owing to practical training the student has developed a high degree of social and intercultural sensitivity.  Hence, the student is able to independently involve cultural factors in conceptions of sustainable forestry. The students learns about the operational use of the analogous and digital remote sensing data based on modern methods of aerial and satellite image analysis. He or she is capable of applying in relation to GIS the acquired methods regarding the handling of image data and multi-thematic geo-data to the monitoring of land use and land cover change. 

The module examination consists of a seminar paper (30 hours) and an oral examination performance (20 minutes).