Module description
On this module, students will identify and characterise different form of human-environment interactions and impacts over recent history and across spatial scales ranging from local to global.
The module will develop a strong theoretical and technical skillset to classify and quantify quantify signatures of human impact on Earth system dynamics, including accessing datasets and using online tools that do not require prior geocomputational expertise. By exploring different environmental settings being perturbed by or impacting on human activities, and the rates of change, students will be able to better engage with current debates around the Anthropocene – a potential new geological epoch in which humans are the driving force.
Overall, this module will provide the theoretical background and technical tools necessary to better understand and analyse the causes, consequences and societal implications of Earth system dynamics in isolation and as a whole.
Assessment details
2000 Word Research Report (100%)
Learning outcomes
This module will provide students with state-of-the-art intellectual and technical knowledge of environmental change and its human drivers.
At the completion of the module students should:
- Be able to provide a detailed overview of the processes and anthropogenic drivers of global environmental changes in recent history
- Be able to critically evaluate the rationale of the Anthropocene, its physical manifestations and social implications
- Have developed an awareness of and the ability to execute a variety of open-source computational tools and datasets that can be used to quantify human impacts on the global environment
Teaching pattern
20 hours, comprising a mixture of lectures, seminars and computer practicals.
This module is delivered through a mixture of lecture, computer practical and seminar. These provide the theoretical and technical skillset to produce a research report exploring a human-environment interaction of your choice. The use of the formative research proposal allows you to receive feedback on your research plan.
If you are interested in climate change and human-environment interactions and, more specifically, how scientists quantify and assess the impacts of human activity on different components of the Earth System, you may wish to take this module. These themes are explored both theoretically and using computational techniques, with no requirement or expectation of prior geocomputational expertise. You will develop relevant skills for careers in environmental consultancy, NGOs or government organisations dealing with environmental issues.