Course for international guest/part time students

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Organization

TTK Centre of Environmental Sciences

Code

envprota18gm

Title

Environmental protection

Usual semester

Spring

Published semester

2025/26/2

ECTS

3

Language

en

Description

The aim of the course is to establish a conceptual foundation of knowledge related to environmental protection and to provide a practice-oriented introduction to the methods of environmental education, with particular emphasis on the nature and importance of integrated approaches and holistic perspectives. A further goal is for students to gain an understanding of the impacts of agricultural and industrial production on natural ecosystems, and to acquire methods for presenting environmental issues to different age groups, raising awareness, and encouraging action, while also developing a thorough knowledge of the professional terminology of the field. By mastering the course material, students will be able to critically evaluate and synthesize the diverse body of knowledge within the discipline, and to communicate their understanding effectively in ways that foster active citizenship. They will develop a perspective that supports environmentally conscious and responsible leadership, as well as the ability to apply the interconnections among economic, social, and environmental sustainability. At the same time, they will recognize the importance of cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation in ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and the preservation of natural values.

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to establish a conceptual foundation of knowledge related to environmental protection and to provide a practice-oriented introduction to the methods of environmental education, with particular emphasis on the nature and importance of integrated approaches and holistic perspectives. A further goal is for students to gain an understanding of the impacts of agricultural and industrial production on natural ecosystems, and to acquire methods for presenting environmental issues to different age groups, raising awareness, and encouraging action, while also developing a thorough knowledge of the professional terminology of the field. By mastering the course material, students will be able to critically evaluate and synthesize the diverse body of knowledge within the discipline, and to communicate their understanding effectively in ways that foster active citizenship. They will develop a perspective that supports environmentally conscious and responsible leadership, as well as the ability to apply the interconnections among economic, social, and environmental sustainability. At the same time, they will recognize the importance of cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation in ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and the preservation of natural values.

Course content

Causal analysis of global environmental and social problems, their local manifestations, and their integration into environmental education programs; Foundations of sustainable development and the incorporation of its perspectives into environmental education; Challenges of addressing problems from a systemic perspective; The concept, history, aims, and objectives of environmental (or sustainability/global) education; Frameworks, methods, and tools of formal and non-formal environmental education, including ethical aspects; Characteristics of different age groups from a pedagogical perspective; The forest school as a pedagogical method; Types, tools, and design methods of educational trails; examples and case studies of trails in Hungary and abroad; Organization of extracurricular activities such as study groups, field trips, camps, competitions, and exhibitions; Educational centers of NGOs and national park visitor centers; Actions and events linked to international and national days of environmental and nature protection.

Assessment method

End-of-semester written examination.

Bibliography

Slides will be provided. Personal notes should be taken during the lectures.

Programmes of the course