Environmental Studies / Value Education

Course Title: Environmental Studies / Value Education

Course Type: Foundation / Interdisciplinary

Credits: 2–4

Duration: One Semester


Course Objectives:

  • To develop awareness about environmental issues and sustainable development.
  • To instill human values and ethics for holistic personality development.
  • To foster responsible citizenship and ecological consciousness.


Program Structure:

Unit I: Introduction to Environment and Ecology

  • Definition, scope, and importance of Environmental Studies
  • Components of the environment – atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere
  • Concept of ecology and ecosystems
  • Energy flow and food chains

Unit II: Environmental Issues and Natural Resources

  • Renewable and non-renewable resources
  • Forest, water, mineral, food, energy, and land resources
  • Environmental degradation: pollution (air, water, soil, noise)
  • Global issues: climate change, global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain

Unit III: Biodiversity and Conservation

  • Types of biodiversity – genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
  • Biodiversity hotspots in India
  • Threats to biodiversity
  • Conservation of biodiversity – in-situ and ex-situ

Unit IV: Sustainable Development and Environmental Legislation

  • Concept of sustainable development
  • Environmental ethics and movements (e.g., Chipko, Narmada Bachao)
  • Environmental protection laws in India
  • Role of NGOs and civil society


Value Education Module:

Unit V: Introduction to Value Education

  • Definition, objectives, and importance
  • Types of values: personal, social, moral, spiritual, and cultural
  • Value crisis and need for value education in modern society

Unit VI: Human Values and Professional Ethics

  • Honesty, integrity, compassion, and empathy
  • Respect for others and civic responsibility
  • Ethics in professional life – engineering, medicine, business

Unit VII: Role of Family, Society, and Educational Institutions

  • Family as a value-based institution
  • Role of society in inculcating values
  • Educational institutions as centers for value development


Assessment Methods:

  • Assignments / Projects
  • Class Participation
  • Mid-semester Exam
  • End-semester Examination