Global Challenges 1: Living in a Changing Climate GEOG5133

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to some of the global challenges associated with living in a changing climate, incorporating research-led teaching in geography and earth sciences. It is problem-led and uses interdisciplinary teaching teams to deliver case study examples of contemporary environmental and social issues. Environments and communities across the world are under stress in our changing climate, with new ecological, social and political vulnerabilities emerging in diverse spaces. Students will benefit from learning across the human and environmental sciences, gaining technical knowledge of geophysical and environmental processes underpinned by critical philosophies and ethics to enact meaningful change for healthier, more sustainable Earth futures.  

Timetable

2 hour lecture and 1hour seminar per week over semester 1 (all teaching is synchronous)

Requirements of Entry

Normally entry to an Earth Futures MSc programme

Excluded Courses

GEOG5120

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Essay/Critical Review (50%) (ILOs 1& 2)

 

Policy Action Brief (50%) (ILOs 3&4)

Course Aims

The aim of this course is to introduce students to critical geographical knowledges, approaches and techniques to address global social and environmental challenges in the Anthropocene. This includes a critical understanding of

■ the philosophies underpinning diverse (human and physical science) interpretations of the Anthropocene

■ scientific approaches to climate change

■ transforming urban environments for 'smart' futures

■ urban ecology and nature-based solutions

■ ethical approaches to transformative action for sustainable earth futures.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Analyse and interpret scientific data on the environment

■ Critically discuss and explain how scientific knowledges about the Anthropocene (nature and environment) are produced and mobilised by different actors, with consideration of the role of alternative/indigenous knowledges in earth futures

■ Evaluate transformative approaches to environmental change in urban environments

■ Communicate policy-focused arguments on specific global challenges towards sustainable action

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.