Introduction to environmental and health risks

Duration

24h Th, 12h Pr, 6h SEM, 2d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Henry-Michel Cauchie, Pierre Ozer

Coordinator

Pierre Ozer

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This 5-credit course offers an in-depth introduction to environmental and health-related risks, combining theoretical frameworks, case studies, guest lectures, and experiential feedback.

The course aims to equip students with a systemic and critical understanding of the interactions between environmental factors, social determinants of health, and contexts of inequality, in order to prepare them to design adaptation and resilience strategies tailored to specific territories and affected populations.

Drawing on an interdisciplinary and multi-scalar approach, the course provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms through which environmental transformations - such as pollution, climate change, and ecosystem degradation - disproportionately affect populations based on their social position, geographic location, and level of vulnerability.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Understand and apply key concepts

• Identify and explain fundamental notions related to environmental and health risks (pollution, vulnerability, adaptation, resilience, environmental justice, etc.).
• Use theoretical frameworks from environmental sciences, public health, social sciences, and geography to analyze the interactions between environment and health.

• Develop a systemic and multi-scalar understanding of risk factors (local, global, structural).
• Identify social and territorial inequalities in exposure, vulnerability, and access to resources.

• Analyze adaptation and resilience strategies implemented by various actors (states, local authorities, NGOs, communities).
• Critically assess public policies and environmental governance frameworks, questioning power relations and exclusion mechanisms.

• Formulate recommendations or intervention approaches that consider the complexity of territorial and social contexts.
• Adopt a reflective stance on their own role as future professionals engaged in environmental and health issues.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The course is given in French.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Theoretical presentation, case studies, feedback, and - when appropriate - master classes and arts-based learning activities.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face courses (if conditions permit), mandatory attendance for feedbacks, master classes, and arts-based learning activities, as defined by the course instructor(s) at the start of the academic year, whether they take place during daytime or evening hours; and field trips.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Further information:

PowerPoint presentations are available in pdf. A list of selected papers is also provided (in Franch or English). Activities other than lectures will not be supported by accessible materials; reason why attendance is mandatory.

 

 
 
 
 
 

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

Assessment for the course will be based on a written examination, which will include a multiple-choice component.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

Pierre OZER
Département des Sciences et Gestion de l'Environnement
Université de Liège
Avenue de Longwy, 185 - B-6700 ARLON
E-Mail : pozer@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

Items online