2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3320 Management of Wilderness Environments

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Steve Carver
Email: S.Carver@geog.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2012/13

Pre-requisites

GEOG2750

GIS for the Geosciences

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module examines environmental problems and management issues in wilderness areas. These include upland, lowland and coastal/marine ecosystems, all of which are coming under increasing pressure from over use, policy and development. The module focuses in particular on human/environment interactions, dealing in turn with environmental impacts, current and proposed management strategies, wilderness preservation, sustainable development and national and international policy implications. A strong practical element is included through the application of GIS to wilderness management problem solving. Reference is made to examples and case studies from the UK and around the world to illustrate key issues and concepts.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. define wilderness and describe current environmental pressures facing this important resource
2. demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and practical issues relating to wilderness and its management
3. evaluate environmental problems specific to wilderness environments and identify appropriate management strategies
4. relate these to a number of topical case studies
5. research, design, author and present a web page poster on a wilderness topic.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate an appreciation of the issues of scale, quality and character in relation to the measurement and evaluation of landscape values;
2. apply GIS techniques to the study of wilderness environments;
3. use GIS methods to address a variety of wilderness management problems; and
4. develop and write up projects as scientific papers suitable for publication.

Syllabus

1. The idea of wilderness: philosophy, art and experience
2. Wild nature and wilderness ecosystems
3. The concept of landscape
4. Recreational use of wilderness and wildland
5. Non-recreational use of wilderness and wildland
6. Wild futures
7. Case studies: wild Britain
8. Case studies: re-wilding the uplands
9. Case studies: re-wilding the lowlands
10. Student seminars.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	8	1.00	8.00
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Practical	1	4.00	4.00
Practical	1	7.00	7.00
Seminar	9	1.00	9.00
Tutorial	9	1.00	9.00
Independent online learning hours			8.00
Private study hours			144.00
Total Contact hours			48.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

1. Completion of independent online learning exercises associated with lecture/seminar (10 hours)
2. Formation and working in small groups (approx. 5) to develop GIS projects on a topic approved by the convenor (40 hours)
3. Development and writing up individual practical papers allied to the above group GIS projects (40 hours)
4. Reading and researching appropriate literature (32 hours)
5. Exam preparation (30 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored by:
1. in class discussion of lecture/seminar material
2. attendance and performance in CA-led study groups
3. field-based discussion
4. independent online learning and online submission of associated tasks
5. research and development of practical GIS projects (including formative assessment of paper abstracts)
6. group presentations on practical GIS projects.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Report (Individual) 2,000 words	40.00
Oral Presentation	(Group) 15 minutes	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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: 15/02/2013

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