Course detail

Introduction to Environmental Studies

FEKT-MUENAcad. year: 2018/2019

The course introduces students of technological orientation into generic environmental problematic with connection to concept of sustainable development. In this concept, we will discuss aspects of technology, humanities and social sciences. The course focuses on the definition of actual state of the world, environmental and social issues and the consequences of economic development. Significant part of lecture will be dedicated to measurement of sustainability - so called indicators. Moreover, important global, EU and national legislation in the field of sustainability will be discussed. As one of the most important, we will discuss tools of sustainable production, e.g. cleaner production, BAT, LCA, corporate responsibility, integrated management system or EMAS, and tools of sustainable consumption.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

RNDr. Mgr. Michal Bittner, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Biomedical Engineering (UBMI)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Knowledge obtained in the course forms a complementary material to the technical aspect as presented by the course Ecological Engineering. At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1) defend the meaning and importance of environmentalism in present world,
2) explain how the progression of environmental issues corresponds with apparently unrelated disciplines such as economy, technology ethics ets.
3) propose possible solutions of contemporary environmental issues in various levels- from personal to international level ,
4) analyse pros and cons of possible solutions,
5) assess contemporary aproaches to solving the national and international environmental issues,
6) interpret and debate results of up to now succesfull and unsuccesfull solutions of environmental issues.

Prerequisites

The subject knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Education is performed as lectures with Powerpoint presentation. During semester, students work in groups of 1-5 on chosen environmental topic that is finally presented at the end of the course. Part of the education is also scientific tour to "eco-village" Hostětín. Understanding of consequences is emphasized. Students are frequently asked to think about actual topic. They are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the lecturer.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Project evaluation: 30 points.
Final exam: 70 points.
The final exam verifies the understanding of the meaning and context of environmentalism.

Course curriculum

1) State of the world, global social and environmental issues, evolution of the economy and the environment
2) All the aspects of the sustainable development (SD) concept
3) Indicators of sustainability
4) Important international documents; international obligations of the Czech Rep
5) National environmental policy of the Czech Rep. and its development
6) Environmental policy of EU and UN.
7) Principles and strategy of cleaner production and realization of the cleaner production,
8) Environmental management of companies and the tools
9) Economical and legal tools of cleaner production

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide students with the technological orientation to see the environmental problematics and sustainable development as seen by environmentalists.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

In a individial activity students compose and present work on a given topic.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Bittner, M. Úvod do udržitelného rozvoje, 2013, Masarykova univerzita, ISBN 978-80-210-6622-9
Homer-Dixon, T. The upside of down, 2006, Souvenir Press, ISBN 978-0-285-63794

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

RNDr. Mgr. Michal Bittner, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Definition and intristic logic of enviromental studies. Relation to sciences and technology
Enviromental studies and ecology, basic concepts and principles, their importance in enviromental discipline
Influencing of man and society by nature: Evolutionary theory
Etology and biosociology, selfish gene theory and the criticism of it in contemporary science
Influencing of nature by man - roots of ecological crisis: Anthropological and psychological determinations of human relationship towards nature
Demographic context, population situation and development of mankind, limits of food source. Malthusianism and its critics.
Relationships between economy and ecological situation. Scarsity and price in economic and ecological perspective. Ecological solutions and job chances.
Ekologically oriented legal interventions, novelty and impassability of ecological problems in traditional concept of law
Environmental problems and politics. Political idea of economic growth contra nature. Enviromentalists as enemies of progress?
Possibilities and limits of technological solutions. History of risky technologies. "American" and "Japanese" way of technology. Technological optimists and sceptics
"Value" solutions of ecological problems. Human and enviromental values. Environmental ethics
Environmentally acceptable way of life. Amount and character of consumption.
Transport, tourism, way of alimentation, urban and rural way of life, deconcentration in settlement

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

RNDr. Mgr. Michal Bittner, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Seminars:
Evolutionary theory
Anthropological and demographic interrelations
Relation of aconomy and ecology
Environmental law
Ecology and politics
Solutions of environmental krisis, sustainable way of life

VUT

Faculties

University Institutes

Parts

Introduction to Environmental Studies

Type of course unit