The course discusses cases from the earliest warnings about damage being done to the environment, to today’s concerns. Examples include: air pollution, acid rain, plastic polllution, species decline and climate change. We will discuss how the science of ecology helps us understand the environment and how to heal it. Alternative views on possible remedies will be explored.
Additional information about this course
No lesson 02.06.21
Course aim
To give learners an all-round understanding of the need to protect our natural environment, and of how we have become more aware, in the 20th and 21st centuries, of the seriousness of environmental problems. To explore some possible solutions.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
- A concern for the environment is assumed!
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify stages in the development of environmental awareness and the environment movement
- Explain some examples of damage to the environment (how they arise, and how they could be stopped or otherwise ameliorated).
- Say what is meant by ‘ecology’, and give an example of how an ecosystem works.
- Show that I understand that there are different political and even philosophical approaches to the subject of protecting the natural environment, and articulate my own ideas on this subject.
- Discuss the evidence for man-made climate change, and how to prevent it.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will be able to keep a record of your progress and achievement using photos, audio, text or documents uploaded into the WEA’s digital learning platform, WEA Canvas.
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Progress to courses in environmental sciences, and/or involvement in groups such as Friends of the Earth or the Green Party. Voluntary work with e.g. Wildlife Trust.
Download full course information sheet
