Admission requirements
None, but completion of Global Challenges: Sustainability is recommended.
Description
Much of Earth’s ecosystems are being degraded or used unsustainably. Fresh water availability is decreasing. Species are becoming extinct at a rate that has not been seen since the last global mass-extinction event. Carbon emissions are continuing to increase globally. How can we begin to effectively address these issues? This course will take a practical approach to energy and natural resource management. Throughout the Block, we will draw upon the planning and development process for an offshore wind farm to explore the three pillars of sustainable development (environmental, social, and economic sustainability). More specifically, we will explore local and global resource and environmental issues ranging from the commodification of nature to the management of protected areas, and from the energy transition to understanding local opposition to sustainable energy infrastructure.
Course Objectives
Skills:
Students will develop a research question and conduct a literature review.
Students will learn how to work together effectively in a group setting.
Students will learn to communicate effectively through oral and written assignments.
Knowledge:
Understand the importance of various natural resources to human existence, in both a historical and contemporary context.
Identify and understand the various frames by which we understand and value nature.
Identify and analyse the key issues in sustainable resource use/conservation in different geographical, cultural, and developmental contexts.
Analyse a natural resource management issue from a local and global perspective.
Understand the concepts, principles and practices discussed in class.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2020-2021 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
This course is project-based. This course will proceed primarily as a seminar with a mix of lecture, class discussion, workshops, and small group meetings with the instructor.
Assessment Method
Discussion leader: 17.5%
Brief Outline: Planning and development of renewable energy Part A: 15%
Brief: Planning and development of renewable energy Part B: 30%
Hearing: Planning and development of renewable energy Part C: 17.5%
Literature review project: Planning and development of renewable energy Part D: 20%
Reading list
A reading list will be made available before the course starts. A book is not required for this course as peer-reviewed journal articles are used.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. Bríd Walsh, b.m.walsh@luc.leidenuniv.nl (Block 1, Block 2)
Dr. Anna Liza Bais-Moleman, a.l.s.bais@luc.leidenuniv.nl (Block 3)
Remarks
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