GEOG30920 Environment and Sustainability

Academic Year 2020/2021

The environment is central to human well-being and human actions inevitably alter environmental conditions. In order to ensure that we optimise the use of natural resources without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same, sustainability must be at the heart of all human endeavours. This has recently been captured by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The overall aim of this module is to introduce students to contemporary issues on human-environment interactions from a geographical perspective and within the framework of the SDGs. The module will examine social values and perceptions about the environment, and discuss imbalances on resource provision and demand at global, national and local levels. It will critically appraise data and information and present real-world case studies in order to gain understanding on natural resource availability, sustainable use versus unsustainable exploitation and associated impacts - particularly in relation to the following topics: population, biodiversity, water, air and climate, land use, renewable energy and waste management. It will address ethical considerations, (in)justice and good practice.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completing the module, including attendance to lectures, workshops, completion of readings and research activities, students will be able to:

- Understand and discuss the scope and broad state-of-play of SDGs.
- Discuss geographical patterns, existing trends and potential evolution of human-environment interactions.
- Outline pressing issues, changes in environmental conditions and impacts.
- Understand relevant global, national and local policies in support of environmental protection, sustainability and resilience.
- Critically debate the nature and significance of potential human-environment tensions, conflicts, gains and successes across a range of sectors, geographical areas and scales.
- Critically appraise and reflect on data and information provided by a variety of sources to support an assessment of human-environment interactions.

Indicative Module Content:

Social perspectives on natural capital.
Environmental pressures and sustainability.
Scale matters.
Biogeography.
Water quality and management.
Food, production and distribution.
The litter problem.
The energy conflict.
Air quality and climate change (in)justice.
Smarter living.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

16
Conversation Class

2
Practical

12
Specified Learning Activities

100
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

170
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module combines lectures with in-class debates and group work. The lectures will introduce key concepts and theories, and provide the students the basis for understanding the state-of-play of SDGs across geographical areas, while tackling ethical considerations and providing practical real-life examples.

Self-directed learning will be encouraged, particularly in the context of the assignments. The group assignment is based on experiential learning. It has been designed to support students: a) developing an awareness of societal and global issues; b) expanding and critically evaluating subject-specific knowledge; c) developing personal and professional competencies; b) and gaining skills to communicate information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

No prior learning required.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
GEOG30850 - Environment & Sustainability


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Group Project: Video and abstract Week 12 n/a Graded No

50
Assignment: Environmental journal log Week 7 n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback on each assignment will be provided via Brightspace post-assessment. This will be complemented with in-class feedback on group work and peer-review activities (e.g. draft essay content for peer review and comment, group presentations and peer feedback, etc.)

Name Role
Dr Alejandro Lara Lecturer / Co-Lecturer