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Current Research in Environment, Economics & Ecology - ENV00072M

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This seminar based module involves small group discussions covering a range of current and emerging scientific challenges around environment management, taking into account the complexity of the interrelationships between economic and environmental dimensions. The assessment in this module consists of a popular science article and participation in the seminars.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module aims to develop a holistic understanding of the challenges around environment management, taking into account the complexity of the interrelationships between economic and environmental dimensions. It will focus on developing a critical understanding of the tools and techniques used by scientists to address environmental issues. Through discussion in small groups, students will develop their existing knowledge in relation to emerging research areas, critically appraise current research via debate and discussion and relate research to its scientific, political, economic and societal context. As well as developing the students’ skills in critical appraisal, this module will enhance their communication skills.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of today’s environmental problems and place them into a wider context.
  • Critically engage with and discuss academic articles and environmental reports.
  • Express verbally and in writing a critical understanding of contemporary environmental problems
  • Apply knowledge of concepts to the critical evaluation of research, advanced scholarship and methodologies and argue alternative approaches
  • Ability to participate group discussions
  • The ability to summarise a body of work and produce a concise summary highlighting the critical findings.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Coursework - extensions not feasible/practicable 10
Essay/coursework 90

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

There are two workshops to support the popular science article assessment.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Written feedback on the summative popular science article will be delivered individually and within four weeks of submission.

Indicative reading

All research papers that are discussed within the seminars will be uploaded onto the VLE site for this module.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.