2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG3690 Tropical forests and sustainable development
20 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Tim Baker
Email: t.r.baker@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
This module is mutually exclusive with
| GEOG3034 | Tropical Forests: past, present and future |
| GEOG3341 | Environment and Development in South-East Asia |
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
Tropical forests are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, containing approximately half of global biodiversity, 40% of terrestrial carbon stocks and providing resources that directly and indirectly support millions of people. As a result, achieving sustainable development of these regions and reducing the rate that these ecosystems are being degraded has become an emblematic struggle of the conservation movement. This module explores the geological history of tropical forests, the role these ecosystems currently play in the earth system and the threats and debates that are determining their future. Drawing on examples and case studies from all the major tropical forest regions of the world, the module emphasises how knowledge from a wide range of disciplines is important for effective environmental management and introduces students to the practicalities of balancing national-scale aspirations for economic and social development against the need for conservation.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should have:(I) a detailed understanding of the role that tropical forests play in the earth system
(II) a detailed understanding of the issues surrounding sustainable development in the humid tropics
Learning outcomes
1. Understanding of the role that processes occurring on geological timescales play in determining current patterns in the biosphere
2. Understanding of how climate change and human activity is perturbing tropical forest environments
3. Detailed understanding of how societies, politics and government departments function in tropical forest countries, how the state sphere of the national core relates to the worlds of farmers and loggers in the forested periphery, and how the latest developments in literatures on development, politics, organization theory and international relations theory shed light on this field
Syllabus
1. The geological history of tropical forests: how resilient are tropical forests to environmental change?
2. Tropical forests and the earth system: diversity, carbon and climate
3. Sustaining development in tropical forest environments
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Discussion forum | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Group learning | 14 | 1.00 | 14.00 |
| Lecture | 8 | 1.00 | 8.00 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.50 | 15.00 |
| Seminar | 4 | 2.00 | 8.00 |
| Seminar | 10 | 0.50 | 5.00 |
| Private study hours | 146.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 54.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Private study will consist of reading key references associated with course and preparing for and undertaking assessments. Group learning will consist of preparation for seminars – one hour per seminar: students will be allocated to groups and each group will be involved in leading a seminar in both semester 1 and 2.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Essay during semester one will enable feedback to be received before second essay and exam is set during semester two. Presentations on papers from course during semester one will provide early feedback to students on their progress. Students will visit Tropical World (Leeds).Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1750 words | 35.00 |
| Essay | 1750 words | 35.00 |
| Oral Presentation | 10 minutes | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 80.00 | |
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 00 mins | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 20.00 | |
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: 28/01/2015
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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