University of the Western Cape
Department of Geography, Environmental Studies & Tourism
GES 311 - CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - 2021
This module will be offered online as it is uncertain whether/if contact teaching and learning will be
possible against the background of current Covid-19 pandemic concerns and related protocols.
Online Lecture & Tutorial Times
Lecture: Wednesday – Period 3 (10:20 –11:05) *Live lectures or uploads at 10:30
Combined Tutorial: Thursday – Period 2 (09:25 – 10:10) *Live lectures or uploads at 09:30
[The combined tutorial replaces, as per the official time table, the following individual tutorial
groups: Group 1: Thursday – Period 2 (09:25 –10:10); Group 2: Tuesday – Period 4 (11:15 –
12:00); Group 3: Monday – Period 3 (10:20 – 11:05); Group 4: Wednesday – Period 5 (12:10 –
12:55); Group 5: Thursday – Period 7 (14:55 – 1540)]
The above would have been the slots for contact lecturing. As a structure/timetable is necessary for
online teaching though, the slots will be used for live/synchronous or asynchronous
lectures/meetings. (Synchronous platforms have both students and lecturers in a virtual meeting
scheduled at a particular time; asynchronous platforms allow for access to prerecorded content
whenever it is suitable for students). Due to the 5 official tutorial groups that may clash (virtually)
with other synchronous lectures/tutorials, the different tutorial sessions will be collapsed in to one
combined session that will be offered asynchronously in the combined tutorial slot, in the form of
narrated presentations, and uploaded on Thursdays at 09:30).
Presenters
M. Carolissen ([email protected])
M. Dyssel ([email protected])
Introduction
Human-induced and biophysical environments and systems need resource input for their own
sustenance and longer-term sustainability. Environmental problems originate from fundamental
imbalances in the use of different components of such systems.
This course surveys the state of the environment primarily within a South African context against
the background of the use, environmental consequences and management of two vital resources
namely water and energy.
In the foci on water and energy as critical resources, a general issues-approach will be followed to
highlight the ecological-environmental, engineering-technological, political-managerial, economic,
and socio-cultural challenges underpinning the rendering services related to water and energy.
Water
Water is our most valuable asset in a country experiencing regular and severe water shortages. This
section focuses on issues related to water availability, demand, supply, quality, sanitation, integrated
catchment management and management of water resources in general. The severity of recent and
current drought conditions and related water security challenges in the Western Cape Province (and
elsewhere) in general, and the metropolitan area of Cape Town in particular, will receive special
attention.
Energy
This section focuses on energy that is, in combination with water, arguably the most important
resource for sustaining human-induced and biophysical systems. The use and exchange of different
energy sources at various levels/sectors are important considerations in the management of energy
supply and demand.
Course material
Literature, of which some is included in the reading list, will be made available on iKamva.
Tutorials & Research Project
Tutorials in this module will take the form of a range of presentations on research methodology in
preparation of a mini-research project. The purpose of the projects in this module is to provide
students the opportunity to collect and engage with empirical/primary data related to environmental
issues in order to output a coherent research report as part of your CAM work. Due to Covid-19
restrictions the projects in 2021 will focus on the compilation and analysis of individual household
water and energy consumption diaries over a designated period.
Alignment matrix of course outcomes, graduate attributes, teaching
and learning activities, as well as assessment tools
UWC Graduate Attributes
Interpersonal flexibility and
Ethically, Environmentally
Critically and relevantly
Skilled Communicators
& Socially aware and
confidence to engage
Inquiry-focused and
Course Outcomes T&L Assessment
across differences
Autonomous &
knowledgeable
Collaborative
literate
active
Understand the state of Lectures, Tutorials, Test,
the environment with Tutorials Final
respect to certain critical X X X Examination
resources (water and
energy) in South Africa
Demonstrate knowledge Lectures, Tutorials, Test,
of topical issues X X X X X Tutorials, Final
regarding critical Research Examination
resources in South Africa project
Demonstrate an Lectures, Tutorials,
understanding of the Tutorials, Research
tools used in the X X X X X X Research Project, Final
management of critical project Examination
resources
Assessment
Tests (30%); Tutorials & mini-research project (20%); Examination (50%)
(The tutorials will largely focus on research methodology and report-back sessions by students
towards the completion of the mini-research project).
Important Dates
Wednesday, 21 April 2021 Test 1 – uploading and submission times to be announced
Wednesday, 26 May 2021 Test 2 or Essay – uploading and submission times to be announced
Wednesday, 2 June 2021: Submission of mini-research project
Reading List
(The following list contains a few sources to which you can/need to add)
Water
Davies, B & Day, J (1998): Vanishing Waters. UCT Press, Cape Town
Department of Environmental Affairs. 2016. 2nd South Africa Environment Outlook. A
report on the state of the environment. Department of Environmental Affairs, Pretoria. 328
pp.
Global Water Partnership: IWRM Toolbox: http://www.gwpforum.org
National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (http://www.dwa.gov.za/National%20Water
%20and%20Sanitation%20Master%20Plan/DocumentsReports.aspx)
Draft Water Amendment by- law
(http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/
Annexure%20A%20Draft%20Water%20Amendment%20Bylaw.pdf)
A selection of additional articles will be made available in class
Energy
World Energy Issues Monitor 2017, World Energy Council
Global Environment Outlook – Sixth Edition (GEO-6)
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-6
Tyler Miller, G. & Spoolman, S.E. 2015. Sustaining the Earth (11 th edition). Cengage
Learning. Stamford. (Chapters 2, 9, 10)
Vandaele, N. & Porter, W. 2015. Renewable Energy in Developing and Developed Nations:
Outlooks to 2040. Journal of Undergraduate Research. Volume 15:3. University of Florida.
South Africa’s Integrated Energy Plan 2016, Department of Energy – Executive Summary
Pegels, A. 2010. Renewable energy in South Africa: Potentials, barriers and options for
support. Energy Policy. 38:4945-4954)
Krupa, J. & Burch S. 2011. A new energy future for South Africa: The political ecology of
South African renewable energy,
United Kingdom Energy Policy 39 (2011) 6254–6261
Additional literature will be made available
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