Special Studies

(2.5-3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

UCD: This open elective module considers how geological agents have shaped the pattern of human evolution, the development of agricultural and early industrial civilisations, and impact on the general health of these and today's societies. The lectures are supplemented by a comprehensive on-line learning resource. The first part investigates how environmental conditions (e.g. fluctuating climatic conditions, natural resource availability, geohazards and catastrophic natural events) influenced the evolution, migration and settlement patterns of hominid and early-modern human populations in the recent geological past. The second part of the module examines how, over the past ten thousand years, geology has influenced the development of agriculture, cities and an increasingly sophisticated use of metals, water and other earth resources up to the Industrial Revolution. The increasing effect of humans on the environment over time will be explored, including examples of civilisations ended by their own environmental impact; the collapse of civilisations as the result of external geological forces is also considered. The third part of the module focuses on how geological and related environmental factors continue to exert strong effects on the health and wellbeing of billions of people in the 21st century. Medical Geology, an emerging discipline in environmental and human health, is introduced. Case studies will be used to illustrate the beneficial and harmful effects of metals, metalloids and mineral dust on human health and their links with geological environments. The module complements GEOL10040, in which the current and future impact of humans on the global system is considered. PA: This unit provides an introduction to the functioning of coastal region that is at the interface between the land and ocean. It is the region, globally, that is most impacted my human activity and also the most energetic to dissipation of ocean energy on the beach. The unit covers physical theories and their application to the coastal region understand interactions between the atmosphere, deep ocean, the continental shelf and nearshore processes in the coastal zone including coastal structures. IR - Dublin, Ireland "Environment Change & Policy" The aim of this module is to introduce students to processes of environmental change and to explore how policy-makers have responded to these challenges. The module has three primary components: firstly, it will examine key environmental challenges facing society at a range of spatial scales. This will introduce you to a range of issues, from global environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss, to more local concerns such as environmental quality, land use change and various forms of pollution. Secondly, the module will consider the relationship between environment and society. This will include an exploration of the changing ways society has viewed or valued the environment and will also chart the emergence of environmentalism as a political force. Thirdly, the module will outline the policy response to environmental change. This component of the module will introduce students to the broad concept of sustainable development and will also provide an overview of various forms of policy instruments to address environmental challenges.