Environment: Change, Contest and Responses

Course Coordinator: Dr Carol Lau, PhD (HKU)

Course Developer: The Open University, UK, Course Team

This interdisciplinary course provides an integrated approach by exploring the scientific, technological, political and social backgrounds to the various relationships, processes and activities through which humans and non-humans are linked together. Combining detailed treatments of particular subjects with connecting themes that are developed throughout, ENVR S216 offers a range of resources to facilitate students' understanding of environmental issues. Students who have studied ENVR S237 may have an advantage in understanding the basic principles of environmental protection.

Aims
This course aims to:

• Address the causes, consequences, and significance of environmental changes;
• Use examples to show why and how environmental issues often become the subject of contest and conflict on a local, regional and global scale;
• Analyse how environmental action around such controversies is shaped by the values of and the power associated with the various parties involved;
• Explore environments and human responses to environmental change and the effect of risk and uncertainty on environmental responses;
• Discuss the constraints on and opportunities for sustainable forms of development;
• Explore the above issues in a variety of environmental contexts on different geographical scales.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Understanding environmental issues
• Changing environments
• Contested environments
• Environmental responses

Learning support
There will be regular tutorials and surgeries.

Assessment
There will be assignments and one three-hour final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Online requirement
This course is supported by the Online Learning Environment (OLE). You can find the latest course information from the OLE. Through the OLE, you can communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator as well as other students. To assess the OLE, you will need to have access to the Internet. The use of the OLE is required for the study of this course.

Equipment
Students will need access to a personal computer or other electronic devices with an Internet connection.

Set book(s)
There are no set books for this course.

Students with disabilities or special educational needs
The audio and visual components of this course may cause difficulties for students with impaired hearing or vision. You should seek advice from the Course Coordinator before enrolling on the course.