Living with Environmental Change

Module title	Living with Environmental Change
Module code	CSC2011M
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Michiel Vos (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	30

Module description

The environment is changing locally and globally, from climate change to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, with increasing pressures on life-sustaining resources (including water, food, clean air, energy and materials). This environmental change is in the context of rapidly ageing populations and growing inequalities around the world. This in turn has important implications for human health and wellbeing. We will examine the wellbeing, resiliency, and sustainability of vulnerable human populations and ecosystems in the face of rapid global environmental change.

Delivered in Cornwall, this is an optional module and is suitable for non-specialist students (i.e. does not require having taken other modules). The module is interdisciplinary in focus, and is open to students enrolled in different programs.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module covers a wide range of topics related to opportunities and challenges faced when living with environmental change. These range from food and water security, land use and degradation, ecosystem services, and living in the built environment to the health and wellbeing benefits stemming from interactions with the natural environment. Insights from biology, medicine, geography, and a range of social sciences will be used to put these challenges in context, and possible approaches to prevention, mitigation and adaptation will be discussed.

The skills you gain from discussion and critique of cutting edge research, coupled with independent review of the scientific literature, will stand you in good stead for careers in the environmental and health sectors by developing or enhancing your employability. Transferable skills to other sectors include: problem solving, time management, collaboration and presentation skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Explain some of the various challenges and opportunities faced by humankind in light of global and local environmental change.
2. Demonstrate appraisal of some of the potential mitigation, adaptation and prevention approaches to living with environmental change including different perspectives (e.g. individual, community, national and international).
3. Examine the wellbeing, resiliency and sustainability of pertinent examples of vulnerable human populations and ecosystems facing rapid global environmental change.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Explain the need for and demonstrate some appraisal of qualitative and quantitative interdisciplinary evidence.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Communicate key concepts competently both verbally (presentation) and written (essay and essay exam).

Syllabus plan

This module will cover study of the risks and benefits of interactions between humans and the environment including the effects on health and wellbeing from a range of exposures associated with environmental change (e.g. climate change, anthropogenic pollution), potential routes of exposure , impacts on ecosystems, and related issues such as food security and energy, as well as interactions with stakeholders. Case studies, student debates, a field trip and other group interactions will be utilised.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
20	130	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	10	Lectures (10 x 1 hour)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	10	Small Group Discussions (10 x 1 hour)
Guided Independent Study	75	Guided reading, revision and exam revision
Guided Independent Study	35	Preparation of Literature Review
Guided Independent Study	15	Preparation for Small Groups including Presentation
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	5	Field Trip

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Group discussion, debate and class interactions	10x1	1-5	Oral
Initial essay topic exploration	1 minute discussion in class	1-5	Oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	50	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Oral Presentation	20	5 minutes; + time for questions	1-5	Written
Essay	30	2000 words	1-5	Written
Exam	50	1 hour	1-4	Written

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Oral Presentation (20%)	5 minutes (recorded & uploaded via ELE)	1-5	Ref/Def Period
Essay (30%)	Essay (2000 words)	1-5	Ref/Def period
Exam (50%)	Exam (1hour)	1-4	Ref/Def period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Geof Raynor and Tim Lang Ecologic public health: reshaping the conditions for good health (and journal article http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e5466 )

Howard Frumkin, Editor. Environmental Health: From Global to Local. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2016.

Anne Nadakavukaren Our Global Environment: A Health Perspective. Waveland Press, 2011.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web based and electronic resources will be available

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Other resources: An up to date reading list of journal articles will be provided on ELE.

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	5
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	10/03/2015
Last revision date	24/07/2019