2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG1220 Geography, Environment and Society
20 creditsClass Size: 300
Module manager: Dr Alan Grainger
Email: a.grainger@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
Geography, Environment and Society is a very popular module which offers a fresh look at international environmental problems, such as tropical deforestation and global climate change, and the practicalities of environmental management in Britain and Europe. Your lecturers introduce you in a stimulating way to the political mechanisms underlying environmental policies, the difficulties of balancing the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development, and the difficulties which public bodies face when trying to implement these policies. By the end of the year you will have a wide range of tools which you can use to analyse any environmental management problem.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the socio-economic dimensions of a range of contemporary environmental issues in Britain, Europe and internationally, and an ability to analyse these issues in a way which integrates their socio-economic and environmental components;
2. Identify and critique the role of the main policies and institutions concerned with environmental management and policy in Britain, Europe and internationally;
3. Identify and critique different approaches to environmental management.
Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
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
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
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions
C Practical/professional skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
C5 Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries
D Key skills
D1 Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively
Syllabus
Semester 1
1. Introduction: Geography and the Environment
2. Society, the Environment and the Rise of Environmentalism
3. Science, Uncertainty and Risk in Environment Issues
4. International Environmental Problems
5. Managing the Environment: the Need for Good Policy
6. Environmental Impact Assessment in Planning (+ Active Learning Group work)
7. Reading Week
8. Pressure Groups, Politics and Environmental Policy
9. Management Failures: The Role of Poor Institutions
10. Policy and Institutional Change and the Rise of Sustainable Forest Management
11. The Development of International Policy on Climate Change
Semester 2
1. The British Approach to Environmental Management
2. The European Union and Environmental Management
3. British Farming and the Countryside (+ Active Learning Group work)
4. The Common Agricultural Policy and the Environment
5. Nature Conservation and Landscape Management
6. Forestry Policy (+ Active Learning Group work)
7. Reading Week
8. Fisheries Policy
9. Managing Water Quality in Europe
10. European Integration, Expansion and the Environment
11. Conclusions: Geography, Environment & Society
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Group learning | 18 | 1.00 | 18.00 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 162.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 38.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
4 x 20 hours reading tied to individual lectures;50 hours preparation of 1,500-word assessed course paper
32 hours revision and exam preparation
Plus 18 hours Active Learning Group Work
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Through weekly active learning group sessions, group feedback and individual active learning group reports submitted in Week 33.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1,500 Words | 60.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 | |
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) | 1 hr 15 mins | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 | |
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 websiteLast updated: 29/04/2009
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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