This module investigates the evidence for climate and environmental change on planet Earth over the last 2.86 Ma (millions of years). Climatic and environmental changes during the Pleistocene and Holocene will be explored in terms of evidence, causes and impacts upon the natural world and hum an societies. The importance of Abrupt Climate Change as a key driver of environmental change in the Pleistocene and Holocene will be examined. The scientific debate regarding recognition of the Anthropocene and its significance within understanding of contemporary climate and environmental change will also be explored.

The module will be structured around the following themes over the delivery of the module:

The evidence of climate change, including determining rates of change;
The causes and drivers of climate change; The impacts of climate change upon the natural environment;
The impacts of climate change upon human biological and social evolution;
Climate Change: The Holocene, the Anthropocene and the Future.

The seminar will be delivered in week 9. Depending on numbers of students on the module the seminar may be individual or in groups. The seminar will address learning outcomes 1 & 3.

The poster will be submitted in week 11 ready for display and will be assessed by peers and staff at a ‘poster session’. The poster will address learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 & 5.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) classes that will combine, on a flexible basis, lectures with workshop exercises and be used to introduce theoretical concepts and to explore case studies (20 hours);
(b) independent learning through guided reading from core texts, journal articles, educational videos and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of of climate and environmental change(90 hours);
(c) Assessment Preparation for planning, researching and preparing the presentation and poster (90 hours);

Module Learning Outcome
1. Critically appraise and explain the scientific evidence for past and present global climate and environmental change.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, 4

Module Learning Outcome
2. Analyse and account for causes and consequences of changing climate upon specific ecosystems and/or landsystems.

University Learning Outcome
1,2, 3

Module Learning Outcome
3. Effectively communicate and explain the mechanisms and causes of global scale environmental changes during specific periods of recent Earth history (post 2.8 Ma) by means of a (group) seminar presentation.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, 4 & 6

Module Learning Outcome
4. Effectively communicate the findings of an individual research task related to learning outcomes 1 & 2 by means of an academic poster.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, 3, 4 & 6

Module Learning Outcome
5. An ability to critically appraise the academic value of your peer’s research.

University Learning Outcome
1, 8

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
Field resources as appropriate for field trip

Anderson, D. et al. (2013) (2nd edn ). Global Environments throughout the Quaternary. Oxford: OUP.
Ellis, E.C. (2018). The Anthropocene: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: O.U.P.
Lowe, J., and Walker, M. J. (2015). Reconstructing Quaternary Environments. London: Routledge.
Maslin, M. (2021) (4th edn.) Climate Change: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: O.U.P.
Williams, M. et. al. (1998) (2nd edn) Quaternary Environments. London: Arnold.

N/A

You will explore climatic and environmental changes during the Pleistocene and Holocene in terms of the evidence, causes and impacts of climate change upon the natural world and human societies. You will explore the importance of Abrupt Climate Change as a specific phenomenon and key driver of environmental change in the Pleistocene and Holocene. You will also engage in the scientific debate regarding recognition of the Anthropocene and its significance within understanding of contemporary climate and environmental change.