This module is designed to provide students from a diverse range of disciplinary backgrounds with a broad overview of different natural and social science approaches to conservation. It will introduce students to the fundamental concepts that underpin biodiversity management, as well as facilitating the development of professional skills that will enable them to work successfully with individuals/organisations operating across the environmental and conservation sectors. It will be taught through a series of lectures, seminars and a residential fieldtrip by a range of lecturers and practitioners with expertise in specific topics of high conservation relevance. The focus will be on understanding how different disciplinary perspectives can contribute to problem-solving in practice.
Total contact hours: 40
Private study hours: 160
Total study hours: 200
Compulsory for:
MSc Conservation Science
Not available as an optional module
Three paper review, 2,000 words (35%).
Consultancy report, ,2,500 words (50%).
Presentation (15%).
Reassessment Details:
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The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
Demonstrate a critical awareness and detailed understanding of the definitions of biodiversity and their in-depth meaning within a conservation context;
Evaluate critically in-depth knowledge and understanding of population and community ecology and how these relate to biodiversity management at different spatial scales;
Demonstrate broad knowledge and conceptual understanding of the principles of population genetics and how this relates to biodiversity management;
Demonstrate a systematic understanding, knowledge, and critical awareness of wilding and re-wilding in terms of definitions, policy debates and impacts on social-ecological systems;
Demonstrate a detailed critical understanding of how natural science approaches to conservation complement social science approaches to conservation, and the challenges of working across disciplinary boundaries;
Demonstrate a detailed understanding of and originality in the application of knowledge about some of the major social science approaches to the environment and conservation;
Demonstrate advanced familiarity with, and ability to critically synthesise, several specific social science issues in conservation policy and practice, and an understanding of the processes by which such debates are negotiated. The specific issues that will be included will vary from year to year depending upon contemporary debates and upon current research activities of the contributing staff.
Demonstrate independent study skills: time management, self-direction, organisation and assimilation of information
Demonstrate literature searching and the ability to synthesise materials into a coherent account
Critically analyse and reflect
Demonstrate problem-solving skills relevant to conservation including the ability to review complex issues
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