1. Understand the ideological nature of globalisation and the challenges it poses for communities in diverse contexts, from the local to the global.
Knowledge & Understanding, Application

2. Demonstrate understanding of historical and contemporary trends in global governance to appreciate the politicised nature of many challenges.
Knowledge & Understanding, Learning

3. Analyse and evaluate the diverse factors which create and frame the nature of some important global challenges
Analysis

4. Research a global challenge of choice and work as part of a small group to understand its characteristics, impacts and potential mitigation strategies.
Analysis, Enquiry, Communication

5. Understand the contested nature of the challenges facing communities at various scales from the local to the global.
Enquiry, Analysis, Application

6. Express and communicate knowledge and ideas clearly and concisely.
Communication & Reflection

Assessment 1 (50%) will take the form of a class test with two long answer questions, one from the human/ social challenges presented, one from the physical / environmental challenges presented. Each will be equally weighted (25% each of the final module mark). Students will be given a strong steer as to project topics for the examination. This will assess LO’s 1, 2,3, 6.

Assessment 2 (50%) will take the form of an annotated slide-set in powerpoint (or similar) with a recorded narration and accompanying slide notes. Students will work in small groups of 2 -3 to produce this final output and this will map to LO 3, 4, 5. This will be uploaded into a discussion space and then each student will be required to undertake peer review of 2 other presentations which will test their reflection skills LO = 6.

Analyses of some of the most important challenges facing human society exemplifies many themes established as 'core' to geography: inequality; environmental sustainability; the links between ideology; policy and practice; and the contested nature of space and who owns and uses it. This module uses selected challenges to expose some bizarre anomalies in our contemporary global political and economic system. While affluent consumers enjoy a quality of life unprecedented in human history, millions of others continue to eke out a pitiful existence at the margins of society where access to basic amenities is minimal. Increased affluence has been based on the exploitation of the earth’s resources which many argue is unsustainable; this module examines some of the most vital of these environmental-political challenges, including conflicts over the direction of development with specific reference to some critical resources, water, energy and food for example. Specific themes include equity and sustainability in an intensely globalised world; the impact of a changing global economy on biodiversity; conflicts over resources such as water and the impacts on drylands; opportunities and challenges associated with an aging population. The first half of the module will be taught as a series of case studies of global challenges from both human and physical perspectives. In the second half, students will have the opportunity to choose a current global challenge and explore it in detail through supported project work in small groups.

The module will be delivered through a combination of two approaches across the two terms of 30 credit teaching.
Term 1
a) 10 x 2 hour classes (20 hours) that will combine lectures with workshop exercises and be used to introduce theoretical concepts and to explore case studies.
b) Independent learning (66 hours) through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of a range of current global challenges at national and international scales.
c) Assessment Preparation (64 hours) for planning, researching and writing

Term 2
(a) 4 x 2 hour classes (8 hours) to present the global challenge brief and scoping.
(b) 6 small-group tutorials to monitor progress (6 hours) throughout the second part of the teaching term.
(c) Independent Research and Learning (65 hours) from core texts / journal papers and the use of web-based materials to gather data to develop a detailed knowledge of a chosen global challenges.
(d) Assessment Preparation – (65 hours) to write and narrate a slide-set/audio presentation
(e) Peer Review of other student presentations (6 hours)

Hite, K.A. and Seitz, J.L (2015) Global Issues 5th edition [Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell]
Harris, F. (2012) Global Environmental Issues 2nd Edition [Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell]
Middleton, N. (2013) The Global Casino: An Introduction to Environmental Issues 4th Edition [Abingdon: Routledge]
Vale, B., & Vale, R., (Eds.) (2013) Living within a fair share ecological footprint. [Abingdon: Routledge]

High quality teaching space with usual audio-visual facilities.
Library resources both physical and online.

None