Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUESFMIF20
Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G2 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in English. FMIF20 overlaps following cours/es: FMIF10 and FMIF15. Optional for: E3, M4, MD4, Pi3. Course coordinator: Charlotte Malmgren, charlotte.malmgren@miljo.lth.se, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies. Recommended prerequisits: Minimum 105 ECTS credits. Assessment: Written and oral individual assignments during the course, including a book review; a small project carried out in groups and presented in a paper, which is discussed at a seminar. In order to obtain a passing grade on the projects paper, the students should communicate during the working process. A written exam. The final grade of the course is based on the results of the project paper (50%) and on the exam (50%). Participation in seminars, exercises and study visits is mandatory. Home page: http://miljo.lth.se.

Aim
The student should, after the course, have acquired an understanding for and knowledge about international and global environmental issues from a sustainability perspective, knowledge about how these issues are viewed and managed in society, and knowledge about methods and instruments on the international arena for reducing environmental problems.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to describe some international and global environmental issues, their local, regional and global dimensions/implications from several perspectives: natural sciences, technological and social.

Be able to describe the theoretical basis for the concept of sustainable development, and contribute to a critical discussion of the concept in concrete cases.

Be able to describe and discuss international politics and policy-making, and implementation of policies at national and local levels.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to summarize and evaluate scientific literature within the field of the course.

Be able to formulate a relevant study problem that is followed up in an analysis.

Be able to write a well-structured paper in English, with a satisfactory use of relevant sources.

Be able to independently gather and critically evaluate information.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to identify and discuss environmental ethics issues.

Contents
The focus is on international and global environmental issues, related to sustainable development. The issues are presented in lectures and/or seminars and through the literature: the concept of sustainable development, environmental history; climate change; environmental impacts in connection with the use of natural resources; energy issues. Other aspects are consumption patterns and the environment, environmental economics, the role of international institutions, policy making, cultural and ethical aspects on environment and sustainable development

Literature
Miller, G. Tyler. 2007. Living in the Environment. Pacific Grove, etc.: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. Individually chosen literature (book).
Scientific articles and reports are revised each year. Due to the rapid development within the field, this list can be subject to changes.