NAT-20007 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module aims to develop students¿ understanding of how the Natural Sciences, the Liberal Arts, and interdisciplinary practice relate to human society and the complex challenges faced by the world and the people in it. Exploration of a broad range of societal challenges involving interdisciplinary science will include formal engagement with the Grand Challenges lecture series at Keele¿s Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This will be underpinned by explicit engagement with conceptual frameworks such as ¿wicked problems¿ that formalise how we think about difficult and complex problems considered major societal challenges. Students should therefore be able to communicate their understanding of societal challenges effectively using explicit reference to conceptual frameworks and evidence.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Evaluate how interdisciplinary practice in the Natural Sciences relates to complex societal challenges: 1,2
Discuss academic conceptual frameworks on societal challenges and interdisciplinary practice: 1,2
Critically evaluate information in evidence-based arguments: 1,2
Communicate evidence-based evaluations effectively in both written and oral forms: 1,2

Study hours

23 hours lectures or workshops
6 hours Grand Challenges lectures (6x 1 hour of in situ, live online or recorded lectures)
121 hours independent study and completion of assignments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment