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2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5497M Environment & Development International Field Course

30 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Susannah Sallu
Email: s.sallu@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students wanting to enrol on this module have to complete an application form, and for the programmes where this module is not compulsory, to pay a deposit before 17.00 on October 10th 2019 to be considered.

Students on MSc Environment & Development with Integrated fieldwork are automatically enrolled on this module and the cost is covered in their programme fees.

Students on other programmes pay GBP1500 in 3 installments (deposit of GBP100 + two equal instalments spaced out October-January) to cover all costs.

After students on the MSc Environment & Development International Field course, students on the MSc Environment & Development have priority access onto this module over other students. Students taking this as an optional module for their programme will be selected based on their application and justification for them joining the module.

The fieldtrip typically takes place in the first two weeks of the Easter vacation in Semester 2.

Module replaces

SOEE5496M Environment & Development International Field course

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides a structured opportunity for students to develop fieldwork and research skills and gain first-hand experience of environment-development issues in the developing world context of Tanzania. This module also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on, develop, and apply theoretical knowledge learnt in earlier classroom-based modules (e.g. SOEE5281, SOEE5010, SOEE5483, SOEE5550 and PIED5256). The module directly draws on staff-related research as well as local practitioner expertise and grassroots perspectives, focusing on rural livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, ecosystem services, protected area governance, joint forest management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and development. The knowledge and skills developed will be of particular relevance to future environment-development professionals.Application forms can be requested by email from see-ses@leeds.ac.ukEnrolment for students taking this as an optional module for their programme is by application only. Further details are provided above.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are:
1) To provide students with a structured opportunity to develop knowledge and experience of environment-development issues related to sustainability in a developing country setting.
2) To provide students with an opportunity to translate and apply theory learnt in the classroom into practice on the ground.
3) To provide students an opportunity to conduct closely supervised fieldwork in a developing country setting.

Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate:
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of environment-development inter-relationships and challenges in a developing country setting.
-Skills in critical analysis and evaluation of environment and human development interactions
- Research skills of relevance to environment-development studies
- Skills in fieldwork planning, logistics, ethics, health & safety
- An ability to work in partnership with stakeholders
- An ability to conduct research in cross-cultural contexts
- Oral and written communication skills for conservation and development practitioners
- An ability to develop and implement a research project
- An ability to analyse and interpret of qualitative and/or quantitative data
- Report writing skills
- Reflexive thinking and writing skills.

Skills outcomes
- Critical analysis and evaluation of environment and human development interactions
- Research skills for environment-development studies
- Fieldwork planning, logistics, ethics, health & safety
- Working in partnership with stakeholders
- Conducting research in cross-cultural contexts
- Oral and written communication with conservation and development practitioners
- Project conception and implementation
- Analysis and interpretation of qualitative and/or quantitative data
- Report writing
- Reflexive thinking and writing (field diary).


Syllabus

Preparing for fieldwork (in Leeds)
1) Introduction to Environment-Development issues in Tanzania (S1)
2) Introduction to the Environment & Development context in the Usambara mountains (S1)
3) Research methods and research practice in cross-cultural contexts (S1)
4) Research ethics, planning & skills training (S2)
5) Fieldwork logistics, health & safety planning (S2)
6) Reflexive thinking and reflective writing (S2)

Fieldcourse & fieldwork (in Tanzania) – 14-day trip
1) Seminars & guided site visits with input from local stakeholders representing national and local government, (non-governmental organisations), local businesses, secondary school, local village leaders and villagers
e.g.
- Nature Reserve Conservator
- Tourism Officer
- Biodiversity Officer
- Agricultural & Livestock Extension Officer
- Tour Guides
- Tanzania Forest Conservation Group Butterfly Project Coordinator
- WWF Project Coordinator
- East Usambara Tea Company representative
- Conservation NGO representatives
- Development NGO representatives
- Farmers

Topics and Issues explored across the module:
- Biodiversity, ecosystem services & human well-being
- Protected area management and governance
- Forest conservation and participatory forest management in the tropics
- Rural development & rural livelihoods - sustainable livelihoods and livelihood resilience
- Climate impacts on livelihoods and adaptation
- Vulnerability and resilience to climate change
- Integrated environment and development interventions/projects
e.g. integrated conservation and development programmes, climate compatible development, climate-smart development
- Agricultural development and climate change
- Eco-Tourism and development.

Application forms can be requested by email from see-ses@leeds.ac.uk

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lectures81.008.00
Tutorials30.501.50
Class tests, exams and assessment10.500.50
Fieldwork47.5030.00
Fieldwork107.5075.00
Group learning61.006.00
Private study hours179.00
Total Contact hours121.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Reading in Leeds – 50 hours
Private general study in Tanzania – 15 hours
Preparation Assessment 1 (proposal) – 8 hours
Preparation of Assessment 2 (oral presentation) – 10 hours
Preparation Assessment 3 (report) – 76 hours
Preparation Assessment 4 (diary) – 20 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

• Immediate feedback will be provided during tutorials in semester 1 when students will discuss their project ideas with staff
• Detailed formative feedback will be provided on project proposal ahead of project implementation, allowing students to adjust their plans accordingly.
• Ongoing feedback will be provided by staff during all group reflective sessions, and during one-to-one and group meetings with students during the field course. Learning can then be fed into project work.
• Detailed formative feedback will be provided on project presentation, learning from which can be fed into project report writing.
• Formative feedback will be provided on project report at the end of the module.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Report5000 words65.00
Oral PresentationMaximum 10 minutes10.00
Reflective log2 page summary10.00
Report2000 words15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Re-sit for this module will take the form of a 4000 word written assignment.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:25:49

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