GV1EI-Environmental Issues

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Alan Howard
Email: a.howard@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module presents an overview of the history of concerns about the natural environment and a focus on current issues related to population growth, health, energy resource utilisation and climate, water quality problems and prospects for the future. 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. Assessment is through written examination.

Aims:

The main purpose of this module is to enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of different environmental issues. Students will develop their intellectual curiosity through looking at issues from different perspectives, including social, political, economic and environmental. Students will learn to develop and enhance their knowledge through completing micro-learning tasks and reading and researching academic literature.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with topics relevant to environmental issues.  Demonstrate ability to objectively appraise the impact and management of different environmental issues with reference to varied examples

Present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, in order to develop lines of argument and

make sound judgements.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Typical issues include:

• historical development of the environmental movement; changing environmental concerns and limits to growth 


• population growth and the Malthusian theory: geographic context and impact


• life span and public health: understanding the link between polluted water and disease and its historical basis


• Millennium development goals: progress on safe water and sanitation


• ene rgy and climate: industrial development, increasing GHG emissions and radiative forcing leading to climate change


• tackling climate change from Kyoto to Paris


• EU water quality directives: consequences of environmental pollution and the toxic algae problem


• EU wastewater directives: consequences for river and bathing water quality.

Some content may be subject to change.

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. There will be a one hour lecture scheduled each week. There will be easily accessible academic support available including "drop-in" help sessions, opportunity for one-to-one meetings and online support through Blackboard (collectively these count as "Project Supervision" in the contact hours table). Actual academic support requirements will vary between students and some students may receive much more th an one hour, while others may need a lot less.

Weekly micro-learning tasks will be set to help deepen knowledge. Formative feedback will be provided at class-level on Blackboard and in lectures.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Project Supervision		1
Guided independent study:		89
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Two  hr paper in which students are required write two essays in response to a choice of questions.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that 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.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
Overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resit the examination.

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: 2 December 2021