2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG1000 Planet Under Threat

20 creditsClass Size: 300

Module manager: Paul Chatterton
Email: p.chatterton@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module introduces you to the main anthropological and ecological causes of the global environmental crisis from both social and natural science perspectives within geography. We cover the specific challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, species extinction, deforestation, desertification, extreme weather, food and energy shortages, resource and territory conflicts, and climate refugees. You will also learn about the range of political responses and potential solutions at different scales, and how to assess the effectiveness of national and international environmental policies.

Objectives

- to introduce students to the key threats to Earth’s vital planetary systems from both social and natural science perspectives found within human and physical geography

- to explore the specific challenges of key environmental problems e.g. climate change, biodiversity loss and species extinction, deforestation and desertification, flooding and extreme weather, food and energy shortages, resource and territory conflicts, migration and climate refugees

- to identify the main anthropological and ecological causes of the global environmental crisis as well as the range of political responses and potential solutions at different scales

- to introduce concepts and themes that are developed in levels 2 and 3 to enable informed choice of programme and module options

Learning outcomes
1. A foundational understanding of the major ecological challenges facing the future of our planet from both social and natural science perspectives found within human and physical geography

2. An awareness of contemporary debates about the causes of these ecological threats and challenges and how patterns and processes of environmental change, injustice and vulnerability interact with human activities

3. An appreciation of the range of political responses, policy ideas and practical solutions being developed at different scales to address the problems of planetary collapse

4. The value and distinctiveness of geographical perspectives on the political, social, economic and ecological processes that are driving environmental change;

5. Key skills in reading, analysis, writing, presentation and critique of a range of academic material, individually and in groups

Skills outcomes
QAA subject-specific skills
- spatial awareness and observation
- abstraction and synthesis of information
- developing a reasoned argument
- assessing the merits of contrasting theories and explanations
- critically evaluating, interpreting and combining different types of geographical evidence (for example texts, imagery, archival data, maps, digitised and laboratory data)
- planning, designing and executing a piece of rigorous research or enquiry, both independently and in groups, including the production of a final report
- conducting fieldwork and field data collection where practicable
- taking responsibility for learning and reflection upon that learning

QAA knowledge and understanding
- understand the complex relationships between natural and human aspects of environments and landscapes
- the concept of spatial variation
- an appreciation of temporal change
- a critical awareness of the significance of spatial and temporal scale
- distinctiveness of place
- able to use critically a systems framework to conceptualise patterns, processes, interactions and change in the physical world
- knowledge of the main dimensions and scales of economic, social, political and environmental inequality and difference
- clear understanding of the drivers of change in the natural world
- knowledge and critical understanding of the diverse manners of representation
- geographical knowledge and understanding
- field skills

Syllabus

The module syllabus is drawn from the following themes and topics:

- The global ecological crisis
- Planetary stresses: warming, deforestation, flooding and biodiversity loss
- Climate change science
- Ecological effects of climate change
- Anthropological causes of climate change
- The international political and policy agenda
- Green growth and green capitalism
- Civil society movements
- Resource conflicts and climate justice
- Food, energy and water crises
- Climate change and migration
- Sustainable urbanisation
- Car-free cities and sustainable transport
- Post-carbon cities and energy
- Bio-cities and urban nature

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminars	4	2.00	8.00
Fieldwork	2	2.00	4.00
Lecture	24	1.00	24.00
Practical	1	2.00	2.00
Independent online learning hours			28.00
Private study hours			134.00
Total Contact hours			38.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will use their private study time to reinforce their own learning by devoting:
- c. 53 hours to additional reading to enhance their understanding of themes introduced in lectures;
- c. 33 hours to reading and other preparation for workshops;
- c. 48 hours to reading and research in preparation for the assignments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Interactive sections of lectures, film showings and workshops will monitor students’ understanding of the core material being taught;

Workshops will also provide opportunities for students to ask questions and receive formative feedback;

The field excursions will enable staff to monitor student understanding of some issues as well as development of specific data collection skills.

The two assessed pieces of work will receive formative feedback as per normal.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Project	Group UN style report - 2,500 words (500 words per person)	40.00
Case Study	Individual case study - 1,500 words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

For resits on the UN group report, students will submit an individual version of the report using a different example.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/08/2024

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