Environmental issues represent a growing source of challenges and concerns, across a wide scale, from the individual and their 'lifeworld' to the global commons. How do we make sense of environmental issues? The module introduces their study using ecological and social perspectives drawing from a wide field of ideas (e.g. environmental science, political ecology, environmental sociology, environmental philosophies and ecological economics and the study of hazards and risks. Environmental issues are seen as 'cultural constructs', the product of interactions between earth ecosystems and the political, social and economic characteristics of human communities, embedded and dependent upon within these ecosystems. Attention is thus paid to changing attitudes to the environment, and the underlying philosophies that these characterise. The contemporary role of the media and public communication in shaping and framing what is an environmental issue is also considered. The second part of the module examines contemporary environmental change and the emergence of global environmental issues. Their impacts at global, regional and local scale, the effects on the environmental sustainability of the natural ecosystems and the quality of life of individuals and communities become central themes. Amongst the issues covered are food and energy security, biodiversity and water stress, global warming and climatic transformation. The module concludes with a brief consideration of the diverse response strategies, as a link to environmental modules at a higher level.

Brown, Lester (2011) World on the Edge. London; Earthscan.
Buckingham, Susan Turner Mike (2008) Understanding Environmental Issues. London, Sage.
Diamond, Jared (2005) Collapse. How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. London, Penguin.
Middleton Nick (2008) The Global Casino: An Introduction to Environmental Issues. Hodder Education; 4th Revised edition.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2011) UNEP Year Book 2011: Emerging issues in our global environment. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi. Website: http://www.unep.org/yearbook/2011

Adequate general purpose teaching room with good ventilation. Facilities for audio-visual presentation. University Library, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities.

(1) a 1250 word essay [1-5] (50%)

(2) a 1 hour class test [1-5] (50%)

Additional Assessment Details:

Formative Assessment: Most weekly meeting will be linked to readings and the completion of additional tasks that will provide opportunities for students to evaluate their understanding of module materials. The formative activities are central to the learning process on the module, and students are encouraged to keep these as a formative portfolio. A formative class test will also provide an opportunity for engagement with the style and types of questions encountered in the end of module examination. 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 (24 hours) that will combine, on a flexible basis, lectures with workshop exercises
(b) independent learning (66 hours) 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.
(c) Assessment Preparation (60 hours) for planning, researching / drafting / writing /editing / producing coursework and revising for class test

None