(a) a 1000-1250 word essay [1-6 ](50%)

(b) a 1 hour class test [1,2,3,6] (50%)


Additional Assessment Details:
Formative Assessment: The activities running during the weekly classes will provide opportunities for students to discuss relevant ideas and issues and from this be able to evaluate their understanding of module materials. Students will also be provided with the opportunity to receive feedback on their essay plans.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) 12 weekly 2 hour classes that will combine, on a flexible basis, lectures with group discussion, workshop exercises
(b) independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of selected contemporary environmental issues at UK, European and global scales.

The module introduces the study of the environment and environmental issues using social and ecological perspectives. The environment is examined as a `cultural construct', the product of interactions between physical ecosystems and human communities. Few, if any, contemporary environments are natural or unmodified, so the central theme is the modification and transformation of nature into habitats and landscapes through time. Two elements within this theme are:
(a) environmental change prior to the 20th Century - A series of case studies explores the global environmental transformation prior to the 20th century: e.g. the impact of early humans, the rise and spread of early agricultural societies, the transformation of European environments, the impact of the early European empires and the `colonisation of the New World', the changing resource base and environmental impact of the Industrial Revolution.
(b) contemporary environmental change - A series of case studies illustrate the emergence of environmental change at global, regional and local scales as a critical issue in affecting the quality of life in human societies and the emergence of environmental issues on the political agenda (e.g. energy, water, food, recreation, leisure & tourism, waste) in the context of growing globalisation.

None

Phillips, M. & Mighall, T. (2000) Society and Exploitation through Nature. Harlow, Prentice Hall.
Mc.Neill, J. (2000) Something New under the Sun. Penguin, Harmondsworth
Middleton, N. (2003) The Global Casino. London, Arnold. (3rd Edition)
UNEP (2002) Global Environment Outlook 3. Earthscan, London.
Diamond, J. (2005) Collapse. How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. London, Penguin.

University Library, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities.