Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

This is a broad-based diploma in Environmental Studies which combines an interdisciplinary foundation in environmental change with a distinctive social science approach to environmental issues. Your studies will:

introduce you to the key concerns and tools of study in contemporary environmental studies
increase your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of environmental processes and issues
enable you to develop the skills and confidence necessary to make critical, informed decisions and judgements about various proposals and options for responding to environmental issues
provide you with the materials, support, guidance, and opportunities you need to develop as an independent and autonomous learner
equip you with the range of practical, professional, and key skills that can be applied to further learning and the world of work

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this diploma you will have knowledge and understanding of some of the:

interrelationships between societal (social, political, economic, cultural and ethical) and biophysical aspects of environmental issues
contribution of social science concepts and theories to an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues
spatial and temporal dimensions of environmental issues
societal challenges of responding to the uncertainties of and different perspectives on environmental change.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:

interpret, analyse, and critically evaluate evidence of and arguments about environmental issues from a range of relevant sources;
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of the key environmental studies theories, concepts and principles
deploy a conceptual understanding of environmental studies to real world examples
select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to review and consolidate knowledge and understanding of environmental issues.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:

recognise personally held viewpoints and engage the views of others with respect;
demonstrate some of the skills of autonomous learning
reflect on the process of learning
identify and work toward targets for personal, academic, and career development.

Key skills

On completion of this diploma, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

accurately communicate information about environmental issues to a variety of audiences
select, access, and exploit a range of digital practices (including tools and resources) to find and use data relevant to environmental issues
plan and conduct a supported independent investigation of an environmental issue
work effectively with others in group situations.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

You will learn independently, using the following types of study material, provided by us:

printed teaching materials
online materials (including textual, multimedia assets, and interactive resources)

We will support your learning with:

self-assessment questions and exercises, included in the teaching texts and online materials
feedback and guidance from a tutor
tutorials, revision and day-schools
email and online discussion forums
online study guides
tailored support for each form of assessment, via a combination of the above methods.

We will assess your learning with: