Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course 4

Environmental Studies

Compulsory course on Environmental Studies at UG level (AECC I)

Course Learning Outcomes

The course will empower the undergraduate students by helping them to:
i. Gain in-depth knowledge on natural processes and resources that sustain life and
govern economy.
ii. Understand the consequences of human actions on the web of life, global economy,
and quality of human life.
iii. Develop critical thinking for shaping strategies (scientific, social, economic,
administrative, and legal) for environmental protection, conservation of biodiversity,
environmental equity, and sustainable development.
iv. Acquire values and attitudes towards understanding complex environmental-
economic- social challenges, and active participation in solving current environmental
problems and preventing the future ones.
v. Adopt sustainability as a practice in life, society, and industry.

Unit 1
Introduction to Environmental Studies (2 lectures)
• Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies; components of environment:
atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere
• Scope and importance; Concept of sustainability and sustainable development; Brief
history of environmentalism

Suggested Readings
1. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y., and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 8th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapter 1 (Pages: 1-17); Chapter 2 (Pages: 22-23); Chapter
3 (Pages: 40, 41); Chapter 4 (Pages: 64, 66).
2. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P., and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapter 1 (Page: 3-28).

Unit 2
Ecosystems (6 lectures)
• Definition and concept of Ecosystem
• Structure of ecosystem (biotic and abiotic components); Functions of Ecosystem:
Physical (energy flow), Biological (food chains, food web, ecological succession),
and Biogeochemical (nutrient cycling) processes. Concepts of productivity,
ecological pyramids and homeostasis
• Types of Ecosystems: Tundra, Forest, Grassland, Desert, Aquatic (ponds, streams,
lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries); importance and threats with relevant examples from
India
• Ecosystem services (Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural, and Supporting); Ecosystem
preservation and conservation strategies; Basics of Ecosystem restoration

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Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course 5

Suggested Readings
1. Odum, E.P., Odum, H.T., and Andrews, J. (1971). Fundamentals of Ecology. Saunders,
Philadelphia, USA. Chapter 1 (Pages: 1-16); Chapter 2 (Pages: 18-76); Chapter 10 (Pages:
414-458).
2. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y., and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 9th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapter 3 (Pages: 38-52); Chapter 4 (Pages: 53-62); Chapter
5 (Pages: 100-103); Chapter 6 (Pages: 106-128).
3. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P., and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapter 13 (Pages: 307-323); Chapter 18
(Pages: 420-442); Chapter 28 (Pages: 747-769).

Unit 3
Natural Resources (8 lectures)
• Land resources: Minerals, soil, agricultural crops, natural forest products, medicinal
plants, and forest-based industries and livelihoods; Land cover, land use change, land
degradation, soil erosion, and desertification; Causes of deforestation; Impacts of
mining and dam building on environment, forests, biodiversity, and tribal communities
• Water resources: Natural and man-made sources; Uses of water; Over exploitation
of surface and ground water resources; Floods, droughts, and international &inter-
state conflicts over water
• Energy resources: Renewable and non-renewable energy sources; Use of alternate
energy sources; Growing energy needs; Energy contents of coal, petroleum, natural
gas and bio gas; Agro-residues as a biomass energy source
• Case studies: Contemporary Indian issues related to mining, dams, forests, energy,
etc (e.g., National Solar Mission, Cauvery river water conflict, Sardar Sarovar dam,
Chipko movement, Appiko movement, Tarun Bharat Sangh, etc)

Suggested Readings
1. Gadgil, M. and Guha, R. (1993). This Fissured Land: An Ecological History of India. University
of California Press, Berkeley, USA. (pp. 1-245).
2. McCully, P. (1996). Rivers no more: the environmental effects of dams, In: Silenced Rivers: The
Ecology and Politics of Large Dams, Zed Books, New York, USA. Page. 29-64.
3. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y. and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 9th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13 (Pages: 180-263); Chapter 14 (Pages:
272-275); Chapter 15 (Pages: 286-289).
4. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapter 25 (Pages: 623-663).

Unit 4
Biodiversity and Conservation (8 lectures)
• Definition of Biodiversity; Levels of biological diversity: genetic, species and
ecosystem diversity
• India as a mega-biodiversity nation; Biogeographic zones of India; Biodiversity
hotspots; Endemic and endangered species of India; IUCN Red list criteria and
categories
• Value of biodiversity: Ecological, economic, social, ethical, aesthetic, and
informational values of biodiversity with examples; sacred groves and their
importance with examples

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• Threats to biodiversity: Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation; Poaching of

wildlife; Man-wildlife conflicts; Biological invasion with emphasis on Indian
biodiversity; Current mass extinction crisis
• Biodiversity conservation strategies: in-situ and ex-situ methods of conservation;
National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere reserves; Keystone, Flagship,
Umbrella, and Indicator species; Species reintroduction and translocation
• Case studies: Contemporary Indian wildlife and biodiversity issues, movements, and
projects (e.g., Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Vulture breeding program, Project Great
Indian Bustard, Crocodile conservation project, Silent Valley movement, Save
Western Ghats movement, etc)

Suggested Readings
1. Primack, R.B. (2014). Essentials of Conservation Biology, Oxford University Press, USA. Page.
1-536.
2. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y. and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 9th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapter 5 (Pages: 97-99); Chapter 16 (Pages: 299-318).
3. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapters 24 (Pages: 599-690); Chapter 26
(Pages: 664-714).

Unit 5
Environmental Pollution (8 lectures)
• Environmental pollution (Air, water, soil, thermal, and noise): causes, effects, and
controls; Primary and secondary air pollutants; Air and water quality standards
• Nuclear hazards and human health risks
• Solid waste management: Control measures for various types of urban, industrial
waste, Hazardous waste, E-waste, etc; Waste segregation and disposal
• Pollution case studies: Ganga Action plan (GAP), Delhi air pollution and public health
issues, Plastic waste management rules, Bhopal gas tragedy, etc

Suggested Readings
1. Brusseau, M.L., Pepper, I.L. and Gerba, C.P. (2019). Environmental and Pollution Science, 3rd
Edition. Academic Press, USA. Chapter 16 (Pages: 243-255); Chapter 18 (Pages: 280-305);
Chapter 21 (Pages: 352-358); Chapter 22 (Pages: 365-374); Chapter 23 (Pages: 378-388);
Chapter 25 (Pages: 416-426).
2. Carson, R. (2002). Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, USA. Pp. 1-264.
3. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y. and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 9th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapter 19 (Pages: 359-381); Chapter 21 (Pages: 401-421);
Chapter 23 (Pages: 440-453).
4. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapters 19, 20, 12 (Pages: 445-535).

Unit 6
Global Environmental Issues and Policies (7 lectures)
• Causes of Climate change, Global warming, Ozone layer depletion, and Acid rain;
Impacts on human communities, biodiversity, global economy, and agriculture

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• International agreements and programmes: Earth Summit, UNFCCC, Montreal and

Kyoto protocols, Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD), Ramsar convention, The
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), UNEP, CITES, etc
• Sustainable Development Goals: India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change
and its major missions

• Environment legislation in India: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Water (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Forest (Conservation) Act 1980; Air (Prevention &
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; Environment Protection Act, 1986; Scheduled Tribes
and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006

Suggested Readings
1. Divan, S. and Rosencranz, A. (2002). Environmental Law and Policy in India: Cases, Material &
Statutes, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, India. Chapter 2 (Pages: 23-39); Chapter 3
(Pages: 41-86).
2. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y. and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 9th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapter 19 (Pages: 370-376); Chapter 20 (Pages: 385-399).
3. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapter 23 (Pages: 555-598); Chapter 30
(Pages: 801-807).

Unit 7
Human Communities and the Environment (6 lectures)
• Human population growth: Impacts on environment, human health, and welfare;
Carbon foot-print
• Resettlement and rehabilitation of developmental project affected persons and
communities; relevant case studies
• Environmental movements: Chipko movement, Appiko movement, Silent valley
movement, Bishnois of Rajasthan, Narmada Bachao Andolan, etc
• Environmental justice: National Green Tribunal and its importance
• Environmental philosophy: Environmental ethics; Role of various religions and
cultural practices in environmental conservation
• Environmental communication and public awareness: case studies (e.g., CNG
vehicles in Delhi, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, National Environment Awareness
Campaign (NEAC), National Green Corps (NGC) “Eco-club” programme, etc)

Suggested Readings
1. Divan, S. and Rosencranz, A. (2002). Environmental Law and Policy in India: Cases, Material
& Statutes, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press, India. Chapter 10 (Pages: 416-473).
2. Raven, P.H, Hassenzahl, D.M., Hager, M.C, Gift, N.Y. and Berg, L.R. (2015). Environment, 9th
Edition. Wiley Publishing, USA. Chapter 2 (Pages: 33-36); Chapter 8 (Pages: 148-162).
3. Singh, J.S., Singh, S.P. and Gupta, S.R. (2017). Ecology, Environmental Science and
Conservation. S. Chand Publishing, New Delhi. Chapter 1 (Pages: 23-26); Chapter 31 (Pages:
826-842).

Field work/ Practicals

(Equal to 5 lectures, including two mandatory field visits)
• Field visit to any of the ecosystems found in Delhi like Delhi Ridge/ Sanjay lake/
Yamuna river and its floodplains etc., or any nearby lake or pond, explaining the
theoretical aspects taught in the class room
• Visit to any biodiversity park/ reserve forest/ protected area/ zoo/ nursery/ natural

Environmental Studies
 AECC

AECC ENGLISH

Course Objectives

Effective communication is an essential skill for success in any sphere of activity, from
leadership responsibilities, teamwork, interviews, presentations, and inter-personal relations.
This is a skill that needs to be taught in a systematic manner so that students imbibe the
fundamentals of communication. The art of persuasive speaking and writing depends
crucially on clarity of thought and contextual understanding expressed through appropriate
vocabulary.

The ability to think critically is crucial for a good communicator and involves an
understanding of the communicative process. Therefore, we need to study every stage of this
process systematically in order to be much more effective at communicating successfully --
in interviews, public speaking, letter writing, report writing, presentations, and inter-personal
debates and conversations.

Learning Outcomes

o Students will master the art of persuasive speech and writing.

o Students will master the art of listening, reading, and analyzing. Students will spend
the bulk of their time in class in practical exercises of reading and writing.
o Students will develop critical thinking skills.
o They will be introduced to established principles of academic reading and writing.

Facilitating the Achievement of Course Learning Outcomes

Unit Course Learning Outcomes Teaching and Assessment Tasks

No. Learning Activity

1. Understanding concepts Interactive Reading material together in

discussions in small groups initiating
small groups in discussion topics participation in
Tutorial classes discussions

2. Expressing concepts How to think Writing essay length

through writing critically and write assignments
with clarity

3. Demonstrating conceptual Discussing exam Class tests

and textual understanding questions and
in tests and exams answering
techniques

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Course Content

Unit 1
Introduction
Theory of communication, types and modes of communication (Introductions to all five
sections)

Unit 2
Language of Communication

Verbal and non-verbal, spoken and written

Personal communication
Social communication
Business communication
Barriers and Strategies
Intra-personal Communication
Inter-personal Communication
Group communication

Unit 3
Speaking Skills

Monologue
Dialogue
Group Discussion
Effective Communication
Mis-Communication
Interview
Public Speech

Unit 4
Reading and Understanding

Close Reading
Comprehension
Summary
Paraphrasing
Analysis
Interpretation
Translation from Indian languages to English and vice versa
Literary/Knowledge, Texts

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Unit 5
Writing Skills

Documenting
Report writing
Making notes
Letter writing

Suggested Teaching Plan

Week 1
1. Introduction:

Week 2 and 3

2. Language of Communication

Verbal and non-verbal, spoken and written

Personal communication
Social communication
Business communication
Barriers and Strategies
Intra-personal Communication
Inter-personal Communication
Group communication

Week 4, 5 and 6
3. Speaking Skills

Monologue
Dialogue
Group Discussion
Effective Communication
Mis-Communication
Public Speech

Week 7, 8 and 9

4. Reading and Understanding

Close Reading
Comprehension
Summary
Paraphrasing
Analysis
Interpretation

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