Environmental Issues

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
In this module we overview the history of concerns about the natural environment and focus on current issues related to climate change, energy resource utilisation, water resources and population change.

The module is equally appropriate to Human and to Physical Geographers and to students from a range of disciplines across the university. Module content is mainly non-scientific and is delivered through traditional lectures and online content.

Aims:
To enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of different environmental issues.

To challenge students to enhance their subject knowledge through wider reading.

To begin to critically evaluate and challenge ideas and concepts, particularly media representations of environmental issues.

To enable students to experience collaborative working through completing a group-based project that will share ideas and findings with a wider audience.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with topics relevant to environmental issues, and an ability to evaluate and interpret these within the context of this area of study

An ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, in order to develop lines of argument and
make sound judgements.

Communicate the results of their study/work accurately and reliably, and with structured and coherent argument

Good team-working skills

Additional outcomes:
Outline content:
The module covers a diverse range of topics, which may, for example, include:
- the meanings of conservation and preservation.
- the historical development of the environmental movement
- public attitudes to the environment
- limits to growth in an exponential world: resource demand and depletion
- 21st century energy resource issues; energy and development
- the CO2 theory of climate change and possible impacts
- Combatting climate change: the Kyoto story, etc.
- water resources? demand and quality issues
- public health and well-being

Global context:
The content of the module covers contemporary issues of global importance.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, short videos and documents posted on Blackboard. Students will work in a small group to complete the main assessment project.

There will be a one hour lecture scheduled each week. There will also be "drop-in" help sessions, opportunity for one-to-one meetings and online support through Blackboard (collectively these count as "tutorials" in the contact hours table). Actual tutorial contact time will vary between students and will depend on the level of support required.

Contact hours:
Lectures 9
Tutorials 10
Project Supervision 0
Guided independent study 81
Total hours by term 100

Summative Assessment Methods:
Project Output Other than Dissertation 90%
Class Test Administered by School 10%

Other information on summative assessment:
Students will complete project work and an end of term quiz.

Requirements for a pass:
Overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Submission of an essay and opportunity to take class test