4.5 Geological criteria for safe radioactive waste disposal
The transformation of radioactive uranium and, in some instances, thorium isotopes provides vastly more energy per unit mass of fuel than any other energy source, except nuclear fusion, and therein lies its greatest attraction. The unit considers the advantages and limitations of generating this power and the environmental and security issues that the process raises.
2 High- to medium-enthalpy steam fields
Energy from sources other than fossil and nuclear fuels is to a large extent free of the concerns about environmental effects and renewability that characterise those two sources. Each alternative source supplies energy continually, whether or not we use it. This unit considers one of these alternative sources, geothermal energy derived from the interior heat of the Earth, and the potential for this alternative to supplant fossil and nuclear fuel use to power social needs fast enough to avoid t
Exploring the English language
How has the English language changed over the course of the last 500 years? What are the social and political contexts that have affected how these changes have come about? This unit will consider the development of the English language from the 15th to the 19th century.
Security, Privacy and Technology
New technologies allow individuals, corporations and government entities to monitor, track and identify employees, customers and the general public. This panel provides a forum to discuss security and privacy in today's global economy.
Introduction
This unit looks at two topics that are of immense worldwide social, economic, ethical, and political importance – ‘addiction’ and ‘neural ageing’. You will develop a Master's level approach to the study of specific issues within these two important subject areas.
citizED Secondary Strand: Educating for real and hoped for political worlds: ways forward in develop
An article from the Citizenship Initial Teacher Training Professional Resource Network (citizED) on developing political literacy.
Ralph Leighton
Ralph Leighton entered teaching from a background in social work and involvement in community politics. He has taught for twenty five years in a range of educational settings and currently leads the PGCE(s) Citizenship team at Canterbury Christ Church University. Ralph has been involved in the production of materials used nationally to train PGCE Citizenship students, particularly relating to assessment. His published research concerns the nature of school provision of Citizenship education and
ESD Briefing Document: Chapter Two: The Politics of Sustainable Development
Education for Sustainable Development Briefing Document: Chapter Two: The Politics of Sustainable Development
Literature Review of E-assessment
This literature review of e-assessment from Futurelab, Bristol is a 50-page booklet review of research and authoritative publications that discusses aspects of e-assessment. It is divided into four sections dealing with: the role of assessment in pedagogy; policy (and political) issues related to assessment; currents developments illustrated with exemplar; and finally a more theoretical analysis of opportunities. An important element of the review is the glossary of terms and the bibliography. T
3.1 The idea of law
Social work is a dynamic profession that is undergoing a period of significant change in Scotland. Social workers have the power to make assessments and decisions that radically alter people's lives. This unit introduces the law as it relates to social work and encourages an understanding of the context of the law in order to make sound decisions.
Equally prepared for life? How 15-year old boys and girls perform in school
This report uses data from the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to explore gender differences in educational experiences. Student background, attitudes and characteristics are all seen to influence performance. Despite the fact that girls tend to outperform boys in school, boys are more likely to go on to earn more and hold positions of political and economic power. The authors argue that, if government policies are to aim for parity, education could be key. The rep
Learning Gender in Primary School Playgrounds: Findings from the Tomboy Identities Project
This paper was presented at Exeter University in 2006, as part of Seminar Four (Cultures, values, identities and power) of the ESRC Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP) Thematic Seminar Series, Contexts, communities, networks: Mobilising learners’ resources and relationships in different domains. The study followed two classes from Year 5 through to Year 6 in two contrasting primary schools, exploring primary pupils’ outdoor play in relation to the construction of gender identitie
The Rhetoric of ICT and the New Language of Learning: a critical analysis of the use of ICT in the c
This academic paper, published in the European Educational Research Journal, is a study of how information and communication technologies (ICT) are perceived in educational settings. It seeks to establish a critical link between the political rhetoric of ICT within the Norwegian education system and what the authors refer to as a new 'language of learning' that ICT can help to facilitate.
What is Islam? (PART 3 of 4) Video discusses: What is Islam? Over the last few years there has been a tremendous amount of information being passed around about the Islam and the Muslims, but how correct is it and from what point of view is it being presented? These are some of the topics that are covered in this series of videos. First, they discuss the root of Islam. Then they discuss how the Muslims believe in Abraham, his books, the last day, the ange
What is Islam? (PART 4 Final) Video discusses: What is Islam? Over the last few years there has been a tremendous amount of information being passed around about the Islam and the Muslims, but how correct is it and from what point of view is it being presented? These are some of the topics that are covered in this series of videos. First, they discuss the root of Islam. Then they discuss how the Muslims believe in Abraham, his books, the last day, the ange
The Future of Brazil
The old joke about Brazil is that it is the country of the future, and always will be. There are signs, however, that the Brazilian economy is finally achieving the stability necessary for it to fulfil its potential. What is particularly intriguing is that this has happened under the leadership of Lula, the former print-worker, union leader and founder of the innovative Workers’ Party, who is now in his second term as elected president of Brazil. To what extent is it possible for a radical
Humanitarian Assistance – A Dangerous Challenge
The phrase ‘May you live in interesting times’ can be interpreted equally as a blessing or a curse. When directed at a prospective humanitarian aid volunteer, eager to embark on an overseas aid mission in the new millennium, the phrase leans increasingly towards the latter. The climate of relative safety enjoyed by humanitarian volunteers has disappeared, largely due to the radical restructuring of the world political scene in the last quarter of the 20th century. This talk will explai
The Referee in Italian History
For the Italian football fan, the referee is always corrupt, unless proven otherwise. What remains to be discovered is how he is or has been corrupt, in favour of whom, and why. It is this thesis that dominates most discussions of Italian football. In Italy, there is the strong conviction that the state, its rules and regulations are flexible entities, besmirched with corruption and therefore ready to be flouted and challenged. This conviction has a strong historical basis. In Italy, as the writ
The Bases Of Rice Domestication In Lower Yangzte, China: Fifth Millennium BC Evidence For Early Cult
A complete revision to dating of early agriculture in the Lower Yangzte region of China is now underway as new methods for archaeobotanical analyses are being applied to trace the gradual evolution of domesticated rice from its wild ancestors, and the gradual shift from hunting-and-gathering to a reliance on cultivation. Since its discovery in the 1970s the Neolithic culture of Hemudu has been synonymous of developed rice agriculture in the Lower Yangzte valley. However, at the time it was excav
Early and traditional copper metallurgy in western China
Copper underpins the technology and economy of most societies of the last four thousand years, and ancient China is no exception. It relies heavily on copper for the production of bronze objects, such as weapons, tools and vessels, but also for its coinage and other monetary instruments. The artistic expression preserved in highly decorated and intricately cast bronze objects is rightly admired, and has attracted much scientific and art historical attention. Little, however, is known about the p
