Undergraduate Course: Sustainability, Society and Environment (ENVI08001)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Environmental Courses |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The following topics will be developed to enable students to devise their own set of principles for understanding sustainability issues which should be of value in decision-making in their future careers.
* This course will first explore the rise of the environmental agenda in the 1960s and in particular the main events which brought it to public and scientific attention. In this context the natural processes which support life on earth will be discussed, together with the requirements for human well-being.
* The concepts of 'sustainability' and 'sustainable development' etc will be discussed in the context of the history of the concepts as well as the terms themselves and their contemporary significance.
* The commonly cited principles of sustainability (e.g. inter-generational equity, precautionary principle etc) will be explored together with the limitations imposed by physical and natural laws.
* The possible responses (scientific, technological, economic, political, social and personal) will be reviewed and their potential to bring about desired change will be discussed.
* Through examination of international, national, and local agreements on sustainability, students will critically review the motivations for, and implementation of, such policies.
* Approaches to dealing with particular issues encountered in professional life (such as environmental reports, environmental management systems, energy management, recycling, impact on biodiversity) will be considered.
* Opportunities will be provided for course members to review individual ethics and consider the implications of adopting the principles of sustainability to professional practice. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | 15:00 - 15:50 | | | King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | 15:00 - 15:50 | | | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Additional information |
1 hour(s) per week for 3 week(s). Tutorials at times to be arranged. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
|
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
-A broad knowledge of the scope and defining features of Sustainability, Society and Environment. This will enable students to carry out routine lines of enquiry within this field into professional level problems and issues
-An understanding of the historical development of the $ùenvironment&© as a contemporary issue and the emergence of the concept of $ùsustainability&© and $ùsustainable development&© etc.
-Critical evaluation of the scientific basis for sustainability and the extent to which the application of such principles has provided a context within which sustainability issues can be known and monitored.
-Adoption of a critical reflective stance on international and national agreements relating to sustainability
-Review of the concept of sustainability and relevant policies relating to it in a framework of cultural and intergenerational equity.
-Understanding of the principles which underpin a range of issues which they may experience in their professional life (e.g. environmental reports, environmental management systems, energy management, recycling, impact on biodiversity) and be able to use a range of approaches to formulate evidence-based solutions
-Articulate their own stance on sustainability and explain what the concept means for them in their practice so that with guidance, they are able to deal with associated ethical and professional issues in accordance with current professional practices
-The degree examination and the assessed tutorials will assess a student&©s ability to convey complex information to a range of audiences
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Assessment Information
Three assessed tutorials
1 x 2hr degree exam - made up of a mixture of MC questions (40%) and two essays from separate sections (30% each) |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Environment, Sustainability, Development, Ecology, Geography, Society |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Simon Shackley
Tel: (0131 6)50 7862
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Helen Mckeating
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: |
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