Gwybodaeth am Fodiwlau

Module Identifier
GS30720
Module Title
Past environments, future challenges
Academic Year
2026/2027
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Coursework  Group poster and individual reflective narrative 1000 Words  50%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Seen Exam  50%
Supplementary Assessment Poster  Individual Poster Presentation and reflection 1000 Words  50%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Seen Exam  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Identify and assess the methods that can be used to investigate the record of environmental change and extreme events over a range of timescales.

Synthesise different types of evidence to examine how climate change and extreme events have affected society over a range of timescales.

Critically evaluate the contribution that Quaternary science makes to tackling contemporary environmental issues.

Brief description

Contemporary society is facing a climate and biodiversity crisis. We are increasingly exposed to environmental hazards. What insights can we gain from the record of past environmental change to help us navigate these major challenges? This module explores the complex interrelationships between humans and the natural environment over a range of timescales. We will use a range of case studies from the Quaternary record of environmental change to examine how a long term perspective can inform our understanding of major environmental issues and contribute to decision-making.

Aims

To enable students to interpret records of Quaternary environmental change and apply this long term understanding to current environmental concerns. More broadly, this module provides a pathway for students wishing to pursue themes in environmental change

Content

This module will examine current and future environmental challenges in the context of the record of environmental change during the Quaternary and more recent historical period. An indicative list of themes we will draw on is provided below. Those selected each year may vary in relation topical issues in the media and to links with staff research:
Ice sheet dynamics, sea level rise and coastal communities
Palaeoecology, conservation and rewilding
Volcanoes, climate and society
Droughts, floods and societal impacts
Dust, climate and people
Fire histories
Hurricanes and storminess
Peatlands
Living with change in mountain regions - glacial hazards and water resources
Lectures are supported by seminars based around debates on contested issues or in-depth case studies.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Critical and analytical thinking Students will develop critical and analytical skills through seminar discussions and reading
Digital capability Production of digital poster
Professional communication Synthesis of complex concepts into simple messages through poster presentation, oral communication and dialogue in seminars and written communication through exam and poster.
Reflection Reflective commentary on development of poster presentation

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6