Wednesday 25 November 2009
Global issues tackled with unique new masters degree
The MA will cover subjects such as conflict, pandemic disease and climate change
A new masters degree which tackles subjects such as conflict, pandemic diseases and climate change has been launched at Nottingham Trent University's School of Arts and Humanities. The MA Human Security and Environmental Change is the first postgraduate course in the UK to bring these two areas together.
Students will study the effects of global issues on the human population, such as poverty, health and the ever-changing climate, including pollution of the seas, depletion of the ozone and extreme weather. Although other courses on offer across the country focus on either human security or environmental change, this is the first time the gap between the social and physical sciences has been bridged in a course such as this.
As part of the course, students will also undertake placements and voluntary work in related organisations. As graduates they can pursue careers in areas such as emergency planning, environmental policy and economic policy, and could take up related roles within the UN, government or the private sector.
Dr Amanda Smith, senior lecturer in International Studies at Nottingham Trent University, said: "The topics discussed in this MA are real-world, immediate issues, many of which will be discussed at the forthcoming United Nation's Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen. For example, the MA looks at the possible consequences of events such as climate change, which include mass migration and conflict. What happens when thousands of people have to migrate from the Pacific Islands to Sydney because the Islands are submerged in water? What effect will migration from coastal areas have on urban areas when 50% of the world's population already live in cities?
"We're already seeing these situations in places such as China, where the drying up of the Yellow River has caused mass migration. The Maldives government also recently held an underwater meeting to highlight the threat of rising sea levels to the low-lying Indian Ocean nation."
The MA also looks at topics such as the relationship between humans and the natural world, sustainable cities, justice, energy and citizenship, and how these can be managed. Dr Smith added: "This masters focuses on real global issues and our graduates will be equipped with the confidence, skills and knowledge to make a difference."
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Languages and International Studies at Nottingham Trent University
The MA Human Security and Environmental Change, which can be studied on a full or part-time basis, is run through the Languages and International Studies department within the University's School of Arts and Humanities.
Dr Amanda Smith
Dr Smith has recently spoken at the A Sustainable New Deal for Belgium conference in Brussels on the topic of how top-down approaches often fail to galvanise support or bring about real change at a local (community) level. She also advised that the Belgium government consider mechanisms for involving eco-citizens, dealing with rampant consumerism and re-valuing the social economy.
The conference was organised by the Belgium Federal Council for Sustainable Development and other speakers included representatives from European Commission DG Environment, the United Nations Environment Programme and a former advisor to Al Gore. It was concluded by the Prime Minister of Belgium.
For further information on the conference visit the Federal Council for Sustainable Development website.
