GLCb2029 Contemporary Environmental Challenges

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Ing. Miloslav Kolenatý (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Ing. Miloslav Kolenatý
Department of Environmental Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Soňa Enenkelová
Supplier department: Department of Sociology – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 12:00–13:40 P24b
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 20/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce contemporary global environmental issues/challenges and their broad context. The seminars are aimed at discussing major present environmental problems, their interdisciplinary context, challenges, actors, possible solutions (and barriers) and the role of societies and the individual in finding the solutions. The course should serve as a synthesizing complement to theoretical courses, allowing for discussion, sharing perspectives from various countries and formulating personal insights. The seminar activities and homework assignments will help students build a gradual understanding of environmental problems as an interconnected network.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to Contemporary Environmental Challenges
  • 2. Anthropocene and future scenarios
  • 3. Wildlife and biodiversity loss
  • 4. Climate change and carbon footprint
  • 5. Energy
  • 6. Agriculture, food and eating habits
  • 7. Waste
  • 8. Pollution
  • 9. Transport
  • 10. Soil degradation and land cover changes
  • 11. Water management, drought and floods
  • 12. Urbanization
  • 13. AI, electronic devices and the environment
Literature
    required literature
  • Articles and websites provided in the Study Materials section.
  • MYERS, Norman and Scott SPOOLMAN. Environmental issues & solutions : a modular approach. International edition. Australita: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2014, 509 stran. ISBN 9781435462328. info
    recommended literature
  • MILLER, G. Tyler and Scott SPOOLMAN. Living in the environment. 20e. Boston: Cengage, 2021, xxviii, 65. ISBN 9780357142202. info
  • HITE, Kristen A. and John L. SEITZ. Global issues : an introduction. Fifth edition. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell, 2016, xviii, 335. ISBN 9781118968857. info
  • MIDDLETON, Nick. The global casino : an introduction to environmental issues. 2nd ed. London: Arnold, 1999, xi, 370. ISBN 0340719699. info
Teaching methods
Individual seminars are dedicated to a specific environmental issue and will include theoretical introductions, student presentations, homework assignment follow-up activities, individual work, group work, group and class discussions and activities utilizing electronic devices.
Assessment methods
The evaluation of the course will be based on students' continuous work and active participation during the seminars. Before each seminar, it is essential to complete all homework assignments. The attendance at seminars is obligatory, with three absences allowed.

The assessment and grading comprises of:
1) Student presentations in seminars
One individual presentation. A total of 32 points can be obtained for the presentation with the obligation to achieve at least 18 points.

2) Active participation in the seminar activities
Active participation during homework assignment follow-up activities, individual work, group work, group and class discussions and activities utilizing electronic devices. Each student must also present at least 2 pieces of environmental news in the course of the semester. A total of 32 points can be obtained for active participation in the seminar activities.

3) Final exam
The final exam in the form of a written text will take place in the exam period, students can achieve 36 points with the obligation to achieve at least 18 points.

Aggregate grading system:
A - 91 - 100
B - 81 - 90
C - 71 - 80
D - 61 - 70
E - 51 - 60
F - 0 - 50
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2024/GLCb2029