Undergraduate Course: Values and the Environment (GEGR10079)
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 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Geography |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course examines issues related to two important modes of human valuing of nature, the ethical and the aesthetic. The course first covers key concepts and theories in environmental ethics including (normally): anthropocentrism and nonanthropocentrism; animal ethics; Leopold¿s land ethic; environmental pragmatism; urban environmental ethics; and climate ethics. We then examine aesthetic value in our engagement with wild nature, rural environments and other cultural landscapes. The course also considers conflicts between aesthetic, ethical and other values as they arise in various environmental issues, such as ecological restoration and climate change. |
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
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
A detailed, critical understanding environmental ethics and the key concepts and theories
An understanding of how aesthetic value relates to a range of environments, from the wild to the urban
An understanding of the role of values in engagement with a range of environments and the conflicts that arise between values in conservation and policy-making
Expression of the student's own critical thinking on environmental values in discussion and in writing, a thinking which will be informed by recent, relevant developments
The group discussions/ tutorials will give students the opportunity to demonstrate some originality and creativity in dealing with professional level issues and allow them to practise critically identifying and analysing complex problems. |
Assessment Information
Class assessment: As outlined in course handbook
Degree assessment: One 2,000 word essay (40%)
One two hour examination (2 questions) (60%)
Overall mark for the course (ie degree coursework and examinations) of at least 40 |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Reading Lists
Armstrong SJ and Botzler R eds. (2004) Environmental Ethics: Divergence and Convergence. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Brady E (2003) Aesthetics of the Natural Environment. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
DesJardins J (2000) Environmental Ethics. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Jamieson D (2003) A Companion to Environmental Philosophy. London: Blackwell.
Keller, D ed. (2010) Environmental Ethics: The Big Questions. Wiley.
Leopold A ([1949] 2000) ¿The Land Ethic¿, Sand County Almanac. New York: Oxford University Press.
Light, A and Katz, E ed. (1996) Environmental Pragmatism. New York: Routledge.
O¿Neill J, Light A and Holland A (2008) Environmental Values. London: Routledge.
Throop, W ed. (2000) Environmental Restoration: ethics, theory and practice. Humanity Books.
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| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | GEGR10079 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Emily Brady
Tel: (0131 6)50 9137
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Elizabeth Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: |
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