GV1EI-Environmental Issues
Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7
Module Convenor: Dr Alan Howard
Email: a.howard@reading.ac.uk
Summary module description:
In this module we overview the history of concerns about the natural environment and focus on current issues related to climate change, energy resource utilisation, water resources and population change.
The module is equally appropriate to Human and to Physical Geographers and to students from a range of disciplines across the university. Module content is mainly non-scientific and is delivered through traditional lectures and online content.
Aims:
To enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of different environmental issues.
To challenge students to enhance their subject knowledge through wider reading.
To begin to critically evaluate and challenge ideas and concepts, particularly media representations of environmental issues.
To enable students to experience collaborative working through completing a group-based project that will share ideas and findings with a wider audience.
Assessable learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with topics relevant to environmental issues, and an ability to evaluate and interpret these within the context of this area of study
An ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, in order to develop lines of argument and
make sound judgements.
Communicate the results of their study/work accurately and reliably, and with structured and coherent argument
Good team-working skills
Outline content:
The module begins by analysing the growth in population and increase in life span evident since the start of the 20th century. The impact of population change, through development or exacerbation of a range of environmental issues and threats will form the basis of the main lecture content. Issues covered, for example, include:
- the meanings of conservation and preservation.
- the historical development of the environmental movement
- public attitudes to the environment
- limits to growth in an exponential world: resource demand and depletion
- 21st century energy resource issues; energy and development
- the CO2 theory of climate change and possible impacts
- Combatting climate change: the Kyoto story, etc.
- water resources– demand and quality issues
- public health and well-being
Global context:
The content of the module covers contemporary issues of global importance.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, short videos and documents posted on Blackboard. Students will work in a small group to complete the main assessment project.
There will be a one hour lecture scheduled each week. There will also be "drop-in" help sessions, opportunity for one-to-one meetings and online support through Blackboard (collectively these count as "tutorials" in the contact hours table). Actual tutorial contact time will vary between students and will depend on the level of support required.
Summative Assessment Methods:
| Method |
Percentage |
| Project output other than dissertation |
90 |
| Class test administered by School |
10 |
Other information on summative assessment:
Students will complete project work and an end of term quiz.
Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy.
The following penalties will be applied to coursework which is submitted after the deadline for submission:
• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
(Please refer to the Undergraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guideUG.aspx)
The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late, in accordance with the University policy.
where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Requirements for a pass:
Overall mark of 40%
Reassessment arrangements:
Submission of an essay and opportunity to take class test
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:
Last updated: 21 December 2016