DES421

Natural Resources and Sustainable Development

Social Sciences
400 level
2 credit units
126 pages
13 units

This course introduces the study of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development. It explores the definition and scope of natural resources, delving into relevant theories and contextualizing sustainable development. The course examines the relationship between natural resources and sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of sustainable resource use. It also addresses the challenges in natural resources and environmental conservation, providing a unified approach to these issues.

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About this course

Difficulty: Intermediate
Study hours: 208 hours
Maths: None
Content: Theoretical
Practical work: No

How it is assessed

Assignments
Tutor marked assessments
Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of DES421, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

DES421 · UNIT 1 DEFINITION, MEANING OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The presentation schedule included in your course materials gives you the important dates for this year for the completion of tutor-marking assignments and attending tutorials. Remember, you are required to submit all your assignments by due date. You should guide against falling behind in your work.

Start reading Get the original PDF, if you want it

What you should be able to do

Define and classify natural resources.
Explain the principles of sustainable development.
Analyze the challenges in natural resource management.
Understand the importance of environmental laws.
Evaluate the social and developmental significance of natural resources.

What it prepares you for

Careers

Environmental Consultant
Sustainability Manager
Resource Manager
Environmental Policy Analyst
Conservation Officer

Where it is applied

Environmental Management
Government Agencies
Non-profit Organizations
Consulting Firms
Energy Sector

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

Module 2: Nature of Natural Resources
Unit 2: Studies in Environmental Theories
Understanding the nuances of environmental determinism requires critical evaluation of geographical and societal factors.
Module 4: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Sustainable Development
Unit 2: Sustainable Management of the Environment
The interconnectedness of economic, environmental, and social factors requires holistic understanding and systems thinking.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

Week 1Module 1: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Natural Resources
- Unit 1: Definition, Meaning of Natural Resources · 2 hours
  Define natural resources and understand their various definitions.. Discuss the principles of natural resources and the environment.. Identify and classify the different types of natural resources..
Week 2Module 1: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Natural Resources
- Unit 2: Nature and Pattern of Conservation of Natural Resources · 2 hours
  Examine the nature and patterns of natural resource conservation.. Discuss conservation methods, both indigenous and scientific.. Analyze the challenges in natural resources and environmental conservation..
Week 3Module 1: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Natural Resources
- Unit 3: Sustainable Uses of the Natural Resources · 2 hours
  Understand the importance of sustainable use of natural resources.. Explore the adoption of eco-tourism in sustainable resource use.. Assess the contribution of sustainable natural resources to development..
Week 4Module 1: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Natural Resources
- Unit 4: Policies on Natural Resources Management · 2 hours
  Analyze policies related to natural resources management.. Understand the principles guiding natural resources management.. Evaluate the effectiveness of different policies in promoting sustainability..
Week 5Module 2: Nature of Natural Resources
- Unit 1: Definition, Meaning of the Components of the Natural Resources · 2 hours
  Define and understand the components of natural resources.. Explore the classification of natural resources.. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources..
Week 6Module 2: Nature of Natural Resources
- Unit 2: Studies in Environmental Theories · 2 hours
  Examine various environmental theories.. Understand the principles of environmental determinism.. Analyze the Environmentally Responsible Behaviour model..
Week 7Module 2: Nature of Natural Resources
- Unit 3: Key Concepts in Natural Resources Analysis · 2 hours
  Explore key concepts in natural resources analysis.. Understand the concept of ecology and its principles.. Define and differentiate between different types of ecosystems..
Week 8Module 2: Nature of Natural Resources
- Unit 4: Environmental Laws and Protocols · 2 hours
  Understand the concept of environmental law.. Analyze the principles of environmental laws.. Identify and discuss environmental laws in Nigeria..
Week 9Module 3: Nexus Between Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
- Unit 1: Natural Resources and Development · 2 hours
  Examine the relationship between natural resources and development.. Understand the role of natural resources in poverty reduction.. Analyze the processes in development related to natural resources..
Week 10Module 3: Nexus Between Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
- Unit 2: Challenges of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development · 2 hours
  Identify and discuss the challenges of natural resources and sustainable development.. Understand the concept of environmental degradation.. Analyze the impact of human population on natural resources..
Week 11Module 3: Nexus Between Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
- Unit 3: Social and Developmental Significance of Natural Resources · 2 hours
  Explore the social and developmental significance of natural resources.. Understand the cultural aspects related to natural resources and development.. Analyze the relationship between ecosystems and community development..
Week 12Module 4: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Sustainable Development
- Unit 1: Definition, Meaning of Sustainable Development · 2 hours
  Define and understand the meaning of sustainable development.. Explore the conceptual framework of sustainable development.. Discuss the importance of sustainable development for the future..
Week 13Module 4: Meaning, Scope and Definition of Sustainable Development
- Unit 2: Sustainable Management of the Environment · 2 hours
  Examine the methods in sustainable environmental management.. Understand the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).. Analyze the challenges in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals..

Preparing for the exam

What to do

Create a study schedule that allocates sufficient time for each module and unit.
Focus on understanding the key concepts and definitions related to natural resources and sustainable development.
Review the different environmental theories and their applications in real-world scenarios.
Familiarize yourself with the environmental laws and regulations in Nigeria.
Practice answering past exam questions to improve your understanding and time management skills.

Questions students ask about this course

What is DES421 about?

How many units does DES421 have?

DES421, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, has 13 units across 4 modules, over 126 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is DES421?

DES421 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.

Is DES421 hard?

DES421 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.

How long does DES421 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.

How is DES421 assessed?

DES421 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with DES421?

Environmental Consultant, Sustainability Manager, Resource Manager, Environmental Policy Analyst and Conservation Officer.