Buckingham, Susan and Turner, Mike (2008) Understanding Environmental Issues. Sage Books, London
Girardet, Herbert (ed.) (2008) Surviving the Century: Facing Climate Chaos and Other Global Challenges, (Earthscan, London)
Diamond, J. (2005) Collapse. How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive. London, Penguin.
Middleton, N. (2008) The Global Casino. London, Arnold. (4th. Edn.)
UNEP (2007) Global Environment Outlook 4 Earthscan, London.

The module introduces environmental issues as cultural and ecological constructs; the product of interactions between physical ecosystems and human communities through time. The concepts of sustainable development and environmentalism are established as discourses which frame our understanding of environmental issues. An attempt is made to introduce the diversity of disciplinary contributions to the understanding of environmental issues by drawing on the contribution of environmental history, palaeoecology and environmental philosophy. The study of the environmental challenges to past societies and the examination of changing attitudes to the environment provide a starting point for a more detailed examination of current environmental issues. A series of case studies (drawn from population, biodiversity, the production and consumption of food and energy, water, climate change) will analyse contemporary challenges to sustainable development. These critical issues affecting the quality of life in human societies, the transformation of the ecosystems and the international and national political agendas will be characterised and their underlying factors analysed. The module concludes with a brief examination of the adaptation and mitigation strategies which societies can put in place to meet the challenges posed by these environmental issues to sustainable development.

1. A 1250 word essay assessing the theoretical / conceptual aspects of the module (50%). [Learning outcomes 1-5]

2. A 1 hour end of module class test (50%) [Learning Outcomes,1,2,3,5]

Additional Assessment Details:

Please note: Normally, to pass the module as well as achieving an overall Grade-Point 4 students must achieve at least a Grade-Point 2 in the assessed elements above.

Formative Assessment:
A series of formative exercises running within and alongside the weekly lectures will provide opportunities for students to develop their understanding of relevant ideas evaluate their understanding of module themes. 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 total) that will combine lectures (face to face; audio and web podcast alternatives) with workshops to introduce the appropriate theoretical and substantive content;
(b) independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of selected environmental issues at the global, national and local level;
(c) independent assessment preparation @60 hrs for planning, researching / drafting / writing /editing / producing coursework and revising for class test

University Library, School of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities; access to Staffordshire University's Blackboard VLE