GEG-30035 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The relationship between health and place has long been a focus for academic study. About 2,500 years ago, in his book `Airs, Waters and Places¿ Hippocrates is thought to be first to explore the connection between human health and the environment in detail. Over time, our technology and societies have evolved, but we cannot escape our environment¿s influence on our health. Anthropogenic climate change, for example, presents a recent threat to planetary health, while deep rooted inequalities continue to create and maintain injustices in human health. This module will refer to concepts such as Geographies of Health and Wellbeing, Sociology of Health and Illness and Public Health, to encourage students to explore, critically consider and build new research avenues for improving human health in environmentally and socially sustainable ways.
By taking this module, you will have the opportunity to explore your own interests, with guidance from the module leader. Assessment will be geared towards developing an understanding of how the relationship between health and the environment is researched, analysed and interpreted. Assessments will support you to think critically about how societies can improve in these areas. These skills are valued by employers in the civil service; third sector and research.

The module aims to help students develop an understanding of the relationship between health and the environment. The module will work alongside key themes in existing Geography and Environment courses such as ideas of inclusion, risk, sustainability and wellbeing. To developing these themes, students will be introduced to historical and contemporary health issues in the UK and worldwide. Inequalities in health will be considered in relation to place, class, gender, ethnicity and disability among other axes of difference. These inequalities will be examined in relation to historical and contemporary health issues and practices (including the covid-19 pandemic and environmental justice). Students will develop data analysis and policy interpretation skills to evaluate how health policy and service provision has tackled these issues by developing their own research proposal. Students can develop local and national ideas but will also be encouraged to draw from their other geographical studies and think internationally. This research proposal will mirror the style of many funding agencies (e.g. Wellcome Trust), thereby developing students¿ skills identifying topics and methodologies with relevance to international public health and policy.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the relationships between health and environment: 1,2
Explain the role of Geographies of Health and Wellbeing for exploring the relationship between health and the environment: 1,2
Analyse issues created through the interrelationships of public health, sustainability and health inequalities: 1,2
Critically consider the development of new approaches to sustainable public health: 1,2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
22 hours teaching session
11 hours structured engagement with online resources
Independent study hours:
40 hours preparation for assignment 1
40 hours preparation for assignment 2
37 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment