SD4120 Valuing Environments

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

The school will operate a ballot system

Planned timetable

Fri 1pm-4pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr P C Schulz

Dr P C Schulz
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Christopher Schulz

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module introduces students to conceptual and political challenges around valuing environments. In environmental policy and planning, the questions of value and valuation remain controversially debated topics, despite general agreement that ‘the environment matters’. The module will cover theories and conceptions of value; methodological aspects of ‘measuring value’, this will be provided through a series of case studies to illustrate the real-world relevance of the topic.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS SD2002 OR ( PASS SD2006 AND PASS SD2100 )

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1h lecture x 10 weeks 2h seminar x 10 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

40

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

249

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • compare and contrast understandings of the concept of value from various theoretical perspectives (economics, philosophy, psychology, and interdisciplinary approaches)
  • critically discuss the policy and broader philosophical implications of using economic methods for environmental valuation
  • appreciate how various types of values inform decision-making about the environment and sustainable development
  • apply core debates about values and valuation to real-world case studies in environmental management
  • develop a research design, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data using Q methodology to understand subjective perspectives on valuing environments