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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2920 The Geography of Resources: Securing Future Supplies

10 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Rachael Unsworth
Email: r.unsworth@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

We are using more and more energy, water, minerals and food as population continues to grow and economic prosperity spreads to more places. The geography of resource supply is often at odds with the geography of demand. This course will enable students to engage in the urgent current debates about resources: Are we running out? Which parts of the world are most vulnerable to resource depletion? How can we best secure future supplies of energy, water, minerals and food? Can 'sustainable production' and 'sustainable consumption' be achieved? The emphasis will be on searching for and evaluating evidence. This module provides a foundation that can be built on in the 3rd year with GEOG 3360, Urban Environments: Towards Sustainable Cities.

Objectives

This module examines the concept of resources and the debates about their use and their future demand and supply. Non-renewable and renewable resources are considered: the geographical, technological, economic and political aspects of supply; trends in demand in different parts of the world; securing future supplies; changing attitudes to resources.

On completion of the module, students should:
i) Be able to define the concept of 'resources' - renewable and non-renewable - and be able to summarise the main impacts of resource use.
ii) Be able to summarise the different interpretations over time of the interaction between the resource base and human demand for resources; critically examine the arguments.
iii) Understand the main determinants of supply and demand relating to energy, water, minerals and food in different parts of the contemporary world and be aware of the arguments relating to the uneven distribution of resources and access to resources.
iv) Be able to engage with the latest debates about how resource supplies may be secured in the future; evaluate the merits of the various alternatives for matching demand and supply.
v) Develop and apply skills in how to present arguments and evidence relating to this topic area.
vi) Develop an appreciation of how to approach research in this topic area.

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A1 The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences and humanities
A2 The diversity of global environments and the operation of, and inter-relationships between physical and biological systems over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales
A3 Patterns and processes of environmental change and their inter-relationships with human activities
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A5 The geography of places and their constitution by environmental, economic, social and political processes, and the influence of places on these processes
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices

B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments

C Practical/professional skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data

D Key skills
D2 Communicate effectively
D4 Use information technology effectively
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively


Syllabus

1. Resource use - non-renewables and renewables; output of waste and pollution - climate change, health, bio-diversity and habitats.
2. The debates about resource use: are we running out? Malthus; `limits to growth'; sustainable development.
3. The uneven geography of resources.
4. Energy
5. Food.
6. Water.
7. Reading week
8. Securing future supplies: new sources, technological innovations or conservation?
9. Researching and writing about this topic.
10. Breaking news and connections to academic research.
11. The rise of sustainable poroduction and consumption.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture101.0010.00
Private study hours90.00
Total Contact hours10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

45 hours Reading to support lecture-based learning;
45 hours Reading, preparation and completion of course work.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,500 word100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/03/2009

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