Living with Environmental Change
Module title | Living with Environmental Change |
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Module code | CSC4011M |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Michiel Vos (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 0 | 10 | 0 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 33 |
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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 medicine, biology, geography, climatology and 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 writing- and presentation skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Explain 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, and developed vs. developing world).
- 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 and in writing.
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 discussions, 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 |
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21 | 129 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 7 | asynchronous online learning and Teaching consisting of: 6 sets of 2*~20 minute lectures delivered by staff, 3 sets of in total 20 ~5 minute presentations delivered by students (PE) |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 9 | synchronous learning and Teaching (on campus and/or online) consisting of: (Small) Group Discussions and Q&As (9 x 1 hour) (PE) |
Scheduled Learning & Teaching | 5 | Field Trip |
Guided Independent Study | 79 | Guided reading, revision and exam revision |
Guided Independent Study | 35 | Preparation of Literature Review |
Guided Independent Study | 15 | Preparation for Small Groups including Presentation |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Group discussion, debate and interactions in class or online | 9x1 | 1-5 | Oral |
Initial essay topic exploration | Group or one-on-one online or on-campus discussion | 1-5 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Oral Presentation - delivered online or in class | 20 | 5 minutes; + time for questions | 1-5 | Written |
Essay on assigned topic | 80 | 2000 words | 1-5 | 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 |
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Oral Presentation delivered online or in class (20%) | Oral presentation: ~5 minutes (recorded & uploaded via ELE) | 1-5 | Ref/Def period |
Essay on assigned topic (80%) (2000 words) | Essay | 1-5 | Ref/Def period |
Re-assessment notes
Please refer to the TQA section on Referral/Deferral: http://as.exeter.ac.uk/academic-policy-standards/tqa-manual/aph/consequenceoffailure/
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Howard Frumkin, Editor. Environmental Health: From Global to Local. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2016.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Web based and electronic resources: Web based and electronic resources will be available
Other resources: An up to date reading list of journal articles will be provided on ELE.
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 5 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 11/03/2015 |
Last revision date | 03/03/2023 |