Course Catalogue

Module Code and Title:         ENV101          Introduction to the Environment

Programme(s):                     BSc Environmental Management

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor(s):                   Samir Patel (Coordinator)

                                              Jesse Montes

                                              Deki Phuntsho Yonten

                                              Nima Wangmo

General objective(s) of the module:

This module will provide students with a first introduction to the environment and encourage them to think about the social science and natural resource aspects of environmental studies. This initial grounding and introduction to a variety of aspects of environmental studies aims to prepare students for more advanced modules that delve into these aspects in much greater detail.

Learning outcomes – Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Define the focus, scope and limitations of environmental science as a multi-disciplinary and problem-solving approach to the natural and man-built environment.
  • Describe the historical development of environmental problems and environmentalism.
  • Discuss the different environmental worldviews and how they lead to different approaches to environmental management.
  • Describe the moral and ethical aspects of natural resource use and conservation.
  • Describe the various kinds of natural resources
  • Discuss the challenges associated with managing natural resources.
  • Explain the state of the environment in Bhutan, including its key environmental issues, and its approaches to managing the environment.

Skills to be developed:

  • Students should be able to demonstrate information literacy regarding the media by evaluating information from news sources and presenting some recent developments/news related to the environment. 

Learning and teaching approaches used:

The module will be conducted over 15 teaching weeks as follows:

  • 3 hrs/wk lecture & discussions.
  • 1 hr/wk tutorial section for student presentations, quizzes, and small group discussions.
  • 5 hrs/wk outside of class, on average, for independent study.
  • Two guest speakers sometime during the semester, generally those who are specialists/experts in their field related to the environment, substituted with film screenings of environmental movies (e.g. Economics of Happiness, An Inconvenient Truth, or equivalent more recent films) if suitable speakers are unavailable, along with discussions afterward.
  • One field visit to an environmental site or agency, of half-day to full-day duration.

Assessment:

Semester-End Examination (SE):40%

Continuous Assessment (CA):     60%

CA Assessment

Weight

Assessment Detail

Individual Assignment

15%

Individual argumentative essay of 1500 words

Quizzes (5 x 2%)

10%

Short written individual quizzes of 30 min duration each, covering approximately 2 weeks of subject matter.

Class Participation

5%

 

Presentation on a news story

10%

Individual 10 min presentation with 2-5 min Q&A.

Group Field Report

5%

Report of 1000 words (excluding diagrams) done in groups of 3-4.

Midterm Exam

15%

 

Pre-requisite knowledge:

Subject matter:

  1. Introduction to environmental studies
    1. The scope, focus and limitations of environmental studies
    2. Common environmental issues and concerns
  2. Historical context of humans and the natural environment
    1. Major societies in human history
      1. Description and origin of the societies (Hunter-gatherer, Pastoral-horticultural, Agrarian, Industrial, Post-industrial)
      2. Revolutions / transitions between the societies (Neolithic/domestication revolution, Agricultural revolution, Industrial revolution, Information revolution); others such as “Green” revolution
  • How each of these societies have affected the environment
  1. Major environmental disasters
  1. The different stages of conservation history and environmentalism
    1. History of environmentalism in the West (USA), internationally (globally), and locally (India, Bhutan); environmental problems, their consequences, and societal reactions
    2. Most important contributors to the development of environmentalism and their specific contributions
  2. Human population and the environment: Basic principles of population growth and environmental resistance
  • Environmental conservation
    1. Motives for environmental conservation
      1. Ethical/Cultural arguments
      2. Ecological arguments
  • Economic arguments
  1. Environmental organizations
  2. Fundamental principles for environmental conservation and sustainable development (general principles, internationally-agreed principles, major global initiatives)
  3. Challenges to conservation
  1. Introduction to environmental ethics
    1. Philosophical approaches to environmental ethics (anthropocentrism, biocentrism, ecocentrism)
    2. Environmental worldviews (individual-centered vs. Earth-centered; management, stewardship, environmental wisdom)
    3. Environmental attitudes/approaches (development, preservation, conservation, sustainable development)
    4. Religion and environment
    5. Environmental justice and environmental racism
    6. Societal environmental ethics
    7. Corporate environmental ethics
    8. Individual environmental ethics
    9. Ecological footprint, global environmental ethics
  2. Overview of natural resources
    1. Introduction to natural resources
      1. Classification of natural resources
      2. Benefits and challenges of using natural resources
  • Consumption and depletion of natural resources
  1. Protection and management of natural resources
  1. Overview of major types of natural resources
    1. Energy
    2. Water/Hydrogeological resources
  • Minerals/Geological resources
  1. Atmospheric resources
  2. Biodiversity/Biological resources
  1. Introduction to natural resources management
    1. Natural resource economics
    2. Ownership regimes; rights and use; tragedy of the commons
  • Management approaches
  1. Natural resources conflicts and conflict management
  1. Introduction to Environment in Bhutan
    1. Environmental issues in Bhutan
    2. Overview of Bhutan’s natural resources
    3. Environmental policies in Bhutan

Essential Readings: 

  1. Berg, L., Hager M., Hassenzahl, D. (2011). Visualizing Environmental Science 3rd Ed. John Wiley & Sons.
  2. Enger, E.D. and Smith, B.F. (2010). Environmental Science, 12th Ed. McGraw-Hill.
  3. Karan, P.P. (1994). Environmental Movements in India. Geographical Review, 84(1): pp. 32-41.
  4. Miller, G.T., and Spoolman, S.E. (2014). Environmental Science 14th Ed. New Delhi: Cengage Learning.
  5. Nolan, P. And Lenski, H. (2011). Human Societies: An Introduction to Macrosociology, 11th Ed. London: Paradigm Publishers.
  6. US Environmental Protection Agency. (2005). The Quest for Less. http://www.epa.gov/wastes/education/quest/quest.htm
  7. Wright, R.T., Boorse, D.F. (2011). Environmental Science, 11th Ed. New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt Ltd.

Additional Readings:

  1. Acts & Regulations on Environment in Bhutan. Available online from www.nec.gov.bt & http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/index.php
  2. Bhargava, O.N. (1995). The Bhutan Himalaya: A Geological Account. Geological Survey of India. Special Publication, vol. 39, pp. 1–245. Compiled by S.A. Chore, Department of Geology and Mines, MoEA, Bhutan.
  3. Botkin, D.B. & Keller, E.A. (2011). Environmental Science, 8th Ed. John Wiley & Sons.
  4. Cunningham, W.P., and Cunningham, M.A. (2012). Environmental Science: A Global Concern, 12th Ed. McGraw Hill.
  5. De, A.K. and De, A.K. (2005). Environmental Studies, 2nd Ed. New Delhi: New Age Intl Ltd.
  6. Department of Geology and Mines (2010). http://www.moea.gov.bt/DGM/Pages/DGM.html
  7. Department of Geology and Mines (2011). Draft Mineral Policy of Bhutan. http://www.gnhc.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mineral-Development-Policy.pdf
  8. Holland, A. and K. Rawles. (1996). The ethics of conservation. The Thingmount Working Paper Series on the Philosophy of Conservation TWP 96-01. Retrieved from http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/philosophy/awaymave/onlineresources/thingmount.htm
  9. MIT Mission. (2012). Clean Water. Problem: Agriculture. http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2012/finalwebsite/problem/agriculture.shtml
  10. National Biodiversity Centre. (2009). Biodiversity Action Plan. Ministry of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan.
  11. National Environment Commission. (1998). The Middle Path, National Environment Strategy for Bhutan. Royal Government of Bhutan
  12. National Environment Commission Secretariat. (2008). Bhutan Environment Outlook. National Environment Commission, RGOB. Retrieved from http://www.nec.gov.bt/nec1/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bhutan-Environment-Outlook-2008.pdf
  13. National Environment Commission Secretariat. (2012). Bhutan Environment Outlook. National Environment Commission, RGOB. Retrieved from http://www.nec.gov.bt/nec1/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/BEO-2012-Zero-Draft-working-file_PK_2_Jan.docx
  14. National Forest Policy of Bhutan. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.gnhc.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/National-Forest-Policy.pdf
  15. Natural Resources. (n.d.). Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resource
  16. Planning Commission. (1999). Bhutan 2020: A Vision for Peace, Prosperity and Happiness. Royal Government of Bhutan
  17. (1995). Mines and Minerals Management Act. MoEA. http://www.moea.gov.bt/DGM/downloads/MMMA.pdf
  18. (2002). Mines and Minerals Management Regulations. MoEA. http://www.moea.gov.bt/DGM/downloads/MMMR_2002.pdf
  19. (2011). Water Act. NEC. http://www.nec.gov.bt/nec1/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/zero-draft-water-regulation.pdf
  20. RGOB Ministry of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www.moaf.gov.bt
  21. Schultz, P. W. (2000). Empathizing with Nature: The effects of perspective taking on concern for environmental issues. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 391-406.
  22. Shi, L. (2011). The Mineral Industries of Bhutan and Nepal. USGS. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2011/myb3-2011-bt-np.pdf
  23. UN Global Issues: Environment. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/environment/
  24. (2013). Aquifers. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthgwaquifer.html
  25. World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (2009). Water Facts and Trends. http://www.unwater.org/downloads/Water_facts_and_trends.pdf
  26. (n.d.). Dam Problems – Social Impacts. http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/water/dams_initiative/problems/social/

Date last updated: May 30, 2015
Royal Thimphu College