Course description
Environmental Studies: a Global Perspective
This environmental studies course is intended to introduce you to some of the basic principles in environmental studies, and how those are manifested in urban, rural and natural areas throughout the world.
Through observation, discussion, and creation of digital content, you will explore and share environmental challenges facing your local environment and create a global learning and action community.
Rather than simply offering a long list of the problems we face, this course will take a solutions-focused approach.
Upcoming start dates
Who should attend?
Prerequisites
None
Training content
Module 1: Why study the environment – and what is Environmental Studies?
- Introduction and overview
- What is environmental studies? It’s not environmental science, nor is it sustainability. It IS a combination of arts, social science, and science (social, political, economic, health and ecological), and how these contribute to environmental issues and solutions.
- Why study it? Because it brings together many different disciplines, environmental studies helps us tackle some of the world’s most important and complex problems, such as resource use, energy consumption and food security. Our species depends on it!
Module 2: Systems and Cycles
- Planet formation/rock cycle
- Climate and weather cycles
- Biological cycles – population, dynamics and nutrients
- Urban systems and cycles
Module 3: Resources and Energy
- Biotic and geologic resources and biodiversity
- Soil and water resources
- Forms of energy
- Use of energy
Module 4: People and Populations
- Population basics
- Populations over time and space
- Populations of the Global South
- Environmental Justice
Module 5: Present challenges
- Challenges we face as a species - staying alive
- Consequences of resource use (pollution, depletion, waste, degradation)
Module 6: Solutions and the future
- Types of environmental problems
- Solutions and actions
- UNESCO and UN Sustainability Goals
- Future (humans and the planet beyond 2050)
Course delivery details
This course is offered through Curtin University, a partner institute of EdX.
2-3 hours per week
Costs
- Verified Track -$99
- Audit Track - Free
Certification / Credits
What you'll learn
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- List and define fundamental terms and concepts in environmental studies
- Describe the ways that human use of resources impacts the environment
- Analyse and compare environmental issues in different parts of the world
- Apply environmental studies principles to evaluate your community, and identify and recommend solutions to local challenges
- Share stories and findings about your local (natural and built) environment
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