MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJNX-20-2 Title: Integrating Sustainable Development and Conservation Version: 1
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Health & Life Sciences Field: Applied Sciences
Faculty Committee approval: Applied Sciences Field Planning Date: 2nd March 2009
Approved for Delivery by: Filton College
Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: FdSc Integrated Wildlife Conservation
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Entry requirements: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On completion of this module students will be able to:
• discuss the nature of wildlife/human conflicts and critically review the success of a range of communities and conservation projects;
• compare contrasting views and priorities of those engaged in sustainable development and conservation projects, and draw clear and balanced conclusions;
• research case studies on current topics in sustainable development and conservation, and present their findings via a range of media;demonstrate the development of team-working skills, and of oral and visual presentation skills.
Syllabus outline:
The module will cover some key concepts in the subject area of conservation and sustainable development, as follows:
Sustainable Development and Wildlife Conservation
Historical approaches to Development and Conservation. The role of governments, aid agencies, UN agencies and the World Bank in development projects. The evolution of the concept of Sustainable Development; the Bruntland Report; the1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development – the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21 and the Convention on Biodiversity.
Human/wildlife conflicts
The nature of human/wildlife conflicts; impacts on human lives and livelihoods; lethal and non-lethal control methods of problem populations.
Communities and Conservation
Community conservation in theory and practice. Community-based natural resource management. A review of successes and challenges in developing and developed countries.
Sustainable exploitation of biological resources
Exploitation of biological resources. The objectives for managing harvestable resources eg. forestry, fisheries; maximum sustainable yield and quota setting. Specific issues relating to migratory species. Harvesting of non-timber forest products. Certification schemes and consumer behaviour.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore a number of topical issues in the subject area, which may include:
• Wildlife Tourism
• Genetic resources and the biotechnology industries
• The global pet trade
• Use of biodiversity in traditional medicines and cultural practices
• Exploitation of bushmeat
• The management of wildlife resources a carbon sinks
Teaching and learning methods:
Due to the nature of the subject area, there will be a strong emphasis on Case Studies predominantly, but not exclusively, from the developing world, and drawing on current conservation projects of Bristol Zoo and others. The underpinning framework and theory to the subject will be delivered in a series of lectures. Students’ understanding will be further developed through a series of workshops, specialist speakers, and student-centred guided research.
Reading Strategy
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University, at Filton College, and housed at Bristol Zoo. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
Indicative Reading List:
Woodroffe, R., Thirgood, S., & Rabinowitz, A. (eds.) (2005) People and wildlife: conflict or coexistence? Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Oates, J.F. (1999) Myth and reality in the rain forest: How conservation strategies are failing in West Africa. University of California Press. ISBN-10: 0520222520.
Robinson, J.G. & Bennett, E.L. (eds.) (2000) Hunting for sustainability in tropical forests. Columbia University Press, New York.
Hulme, D. & Murphree, M. (eds.) (2001) African wildlife and livelihoods: the promise and performance of community conservation. James Currey ltd., Oxford.
Wildlife Conservation Society (2008) State of the Wild 2008-2009: a global portrait of wildlife, wildlands and oceans. Island Press, Washington.
Wood, A., Stedman-Edwards, P. & Mang, J. (eds.) (2000) The root causes of biodiversity loss. Earthscan Publications, London.
Newsome, D., Dowling, R. & Moore, S. (2005) Wildlife tourism. Channel View Publications, Clevedon.
Roe, D., Leader-Williams, N. & Dalal-Clayton, B. (1997) Take only photographs, leave only footprints: the environmental impacts of tourism. IIED Wildlife Development Series 10, IIED, London.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 50% B: 50%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
PR1 Group seminar presentation 1
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
CS1 Case Study Report 1
CW1 Problem-solving exercise 1
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
PR2 Individual seminar presentation 1
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
CS1 Case Study Report 1
CW1 Problem-solving exercise 1
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is required.
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)