Human activities are changing the world and environment that we live in. An understanding of the complex interactions between our planet and human activities is imperative to the quality of life of future generations. This foundational module provides students with a holistic understanding of the crisis posed to the environment and society by the impacts of climate change at both a global and local levels. The module includes the opportunity for students to develop their carbon literacy skills. The module provides a grounding in climate change and other environmental issues that are creating unprecedented challenges to humans around the world. The module covers the following themes;

Climate science the basics
Climate change the evidence
Climate change the causes
Population, resource use and pollution
An introduction to climate change mitigation and adaptation
Roots of environmental concern
Politics and policies
Living with climate change
The climate debate

An appreciation of the above will enable students to understand that if human activities are to be sustainable, we need to act now to mitigate the difficulties that we and future generations will face.

The assessment for this module is separated into three and is designed to fulfil several distinct pedagogic aims. The assessment includes a variety of skills to allow students to learn academic writing and presentation skills.
1. The first assessment is an artefact designed to help raise awareness of the importance of being carbon literate, allowing students to demonstrate and apply their understanding of the value of behavioural change as a tool for climate change mitigation (Learning outcomes 1,2 & 4).
2. The second element uses social media as a tool for climate change communication with a written and visual element (Learning outcomes 2 & 4).
3. The third assessment is an essay allowing students to investigate and evaluate a specific consequence of climate change (Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4). There will be formative assessments throughout the module in to ensure the comprehension and theoretical understanding of foundational ideas and concepts. Students will be given opportunities to discuss formative ideas and plans for assessments.

This module will be delivered through a combination of independent and online learning, scheduled class sessions, and planning, researching and producing the module assessments.
Materials and resources that introduce the main themes and key concepts covered in the module, as well as supporting the development of the key skills required to complete the assessment will be made available via the VLE. These may be on the form of pre-recorded lectures, a set of directed readings, links to videos or appropriate micro-certification packages, or a mixture.
Workshops and seminars will provide students with the opportunity to: (i) debate and further explore the ideas introduced in the learning materials; (ii) discuss how they will use them to address the module assessment; and (iii) receive guidance on completing the assessment.
Students should spend the independent learning hours working through the learning resources and self-instructional materials provided in the VLE, completing preparatory and follow-up activities for the class sessions, and completing the module assessments.

Module Learning Outcome
1. Define and demonstrate an understanding of key concepts and principles that underpin climate change and its consequences.

University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding

Module Learning Outcome
2. Understand the role of people and the economy as both a driver of climate change and a tool of remediation.

University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding Enquiry

Module Learning Outcome
3. Demonstrate an appreciation of the political responses to climate change at a range of scales.

University Learning Outcome
Application Problem solving

Module Learning Outcome
4. Communicate the various dimensions of the causes and consequences climate change to a range of audiences.

University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding, Communication

VLE for online learning High quality teaching space for face-to-face seminars where appropriate with usual audio-visual facilities Library resources both online and physical to support research.

1. Leichenko, R. and O’Brian, K. 2019. Climate and Society: Transforming the Future. Wiley.
2. Carolan, M.S. (2020) Society and the Environment: Pragmatic Solutions to Ecological Issues. Routledge.
3. Middleton, N. (2019) The Global Casino: An Introduction to Environmental Issues. Routledge.
4. Goudie, A.S. 2018. The Human Impact on the Natural Environment: Past, Present and Future. 8th edition. Blackwell: Oxford.

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Human activities are changing the world and environment that we live in. An understanding of the complex interactions between our planet and human activities is imperative to the quality of life of future generations. This foundational module provides students with a holistic understanding of the crisis posed to the environment and society by the impacts of climate change at both a global and local levels.