We are living in the era of the Anthropocene (the era of humankind), when humans have become the key driver of planetary changes. This module provides a comprehensive introduction to environmental sustainability in the context of the Anthropocene, understanding human impacts on nature. Using a strongly interdisciplinary approach based on human and environmental geography, we discuss key environmental challenges including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, among others. We explore contemporary debates around sustainable development and critically analyse these in relation to real world sustainability problems along with an understanding of the relevant policy context. You are introduced to a series of case studies that illustrate human-environment relations as connected to social, economic and political processes at different scales. The module introduces systems thinking, initiating the understanding of interconnectedness.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
Compulsory for the following courses:
• BA Environmental Social Sciences
• BSc Human Geography
• BSc Wildlife Conservation
Optional for the following courses:
•BSc Anthropology
Available as an elective module
Essay (1500 words) (30%)
Group presentation (10 mins plus supporting documentation) (20%)
Examination (2 hours) (50%).
Reassessment Instrument: 100% coursework (2000 words)
*Exams will be online*
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages (https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html).
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module you will be able to:
1 Understand the key issues of concern in the human-environment interaction.
2. Understand the key environmental challenges in the contemporary world.
3. Critically engage with and understand the complexity of sustainable development issues.
4. Apply systems thinking to understand complex real world issues and problems.
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