2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG2661 Social Ecological Systems
10 creditsClass Size: 42
Module manager: Prof Jon Lovett
Email: j.lovett@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is mutually exclusive with
| GEOG2062 | Sustainability: Living Within Limits |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Sustainability has three main components: social, economic and environmental. Social-ecological systems are where these three components overlap. The module has five topics: Justice in Natural Resource Management, Rights and Values in Ecosystem Services; Hierarchy in Property Rights; Human Impact in the Natural Environment; Scarcity and Conflict in the Natural Environment. Each topic is available as a 2-week course on the FutureLearn platform.Objectives
The module has three main aims and objectives: 1. Introduce a series of fundamental principles that are important for understanding sustainability in social-ecological systems. 2. Demonstrate how the principles are applied in case studies. 3. Apply the principles to topical sustainability issues.The learning activities are divided into a series of five two-week online courses that describe three fundamental principles in the first week of each of the five courses and apply the principles in the second week of each five week course. The online courses supported by active participatory classroom seminars and lectures. Within the online courses there are MCQ tests and peer-reviewed skills exercises for formative learning. Students can also comment and interact in the chat area of the online courses.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. To understand the essential connections between physical and natural sciences, the social sciences and humanities.
2. To evaluate the role of changes in technology, markets and the operation of state interventions in influencing spatial patterns of economic activity.
3. To recognise 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.
4. To critically analyse patterns and processes of environmental change and their inter-relationships with human activities.
5. To appreciate the geographies of difference and inequality.
6. To contribute to contemporary debates about globalization and global interconnections.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Academic: Reflection. Critical Thinking. Academic language. Referencing.
2. Digital: Digital Learning and Development.
3. Sustainability: Systems Thinking. Anticipatory Thinking. Critical Thinking. Strategic Practise. Integrated Problem Solving. Information Searching.
4. Work Ready: Communication. Problem Solving. Creativity. Core Literacies.
5. Enterprise: Information Searching.
6. Technical: Using formats such as Policy Briefs, Terms of Reference, Technical Reports.
Syllabus
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 30.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 60.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 10.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Each assignment topic is discussed in class using active participatory learning during which students have an opportunity to receive feedback on their ideas and approaches to the assignment topics.MCQs are available at the end of each of the five MOOC courses and can be used for formative self-assessment. The MOOCs also contain five guided skills exercises with peer-peer evaluation in which the students can practise the formats used in the assignment.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Assignment | . | 100.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 13/05/2024
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