Detailed Information

2GEOL10050 - Earth and Humanity (Audit) - Sem 2 2017

This open elective module considers how geological agents have shaped the pattern of human evolution, the development of agricultural and early industrial civilisations, and impact on the general health of these and today's societies. The lectures are supplemented by a comprehensive on-line learning resource. The first part investigates how environmental conditions (e.g. fluctuating climatic conditions, natural resource availability, geohazards and catastrophic natural events) influenced the evolution, migration and settlement patterns of hominid and early-modern human populations in the recent geological past. The second part of the module examines how, over the past ten thousand years, geology has influenced the development of agriculture, cities and an increasingly sophisticated use of metals, water and other earth resources up to the Industrial Revolution. The increasing effect of humans on the environment over time will be explored, including examples of civilisations ended by their own environmental impact; the collapse of civilisations as the result of external geological forces is also considered. The third part of the module focuses on how geological and related environmental factors continue to exert strong effects on the health and wellbeing of billions of people in the 21st century. Medical Geology, an emerging discipline in environmental and human health, is introduced. Case studies will be used to illustrate the beneficial and harmful effects of metals, metalloids and mineral dust on human health and their links with geological environments. The module complements GEOL10040, in which the current and future impact of humans on the global system is considered.

Tutor Dates Schedule Time Venue/Location Fee €
Patrick Orr 25 Jan 2018 to 24 Apr 2018 Sessions: 21
First Lecture: Thursday, 25/1, then every Tuesdays and Thursdays.
14:00 Belfield

350.00



Please note that you must be logged into InfoHub to make a Booking. If you do not have an Infohub account you can create one through this link.

Semester 2

Level 1

Lectures:  Tuesdays 14:00 – 15:00 and Thursdays 14:00 – 15:00 

Tutorials:  There are no tutorials for this module.

 

If you are taking this module for credit, please take note of the dates below:

Term dates for revision:  Saturday, 27 April - Sunday, 5 May             

Term dates for exams:    Tuesday, 7 May – Saturday, 18 May

Open Learning Fee (audit only) €350 per module

Open Learning Fee (with assessment) €500 per 5 credit module

 

Upgrading from audit to credit:  You may upgrade from being an audit student to a credit student up to three weeks into term.  Please note, however, that you can't change back to being an audit student - if you decide not to complete the assignments and/or sit the exams, this will appear on your academic record.

 

Concessions
There are no concessions available for Open Learning modules.

 

Refunds
Refunds may in some instances be available for extenuating circumstances, such as serious illness, within two weeks of the start of the module.  Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing, with supporting documents where appropriate.

Assoc. Prof Patrick Orr