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2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5499M Environment & Development Remote International Field Course

15 creditsClass Size: 24

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Should demand for places exceed supply, priority will be given to students who originally applied for the MSc Environment & Development with Integrated International Fieldwork, followed by students on the MSc Environment & Development, followed by MSc Climate Change and Environmental Policy.

Module replaces

SOEE5497 Environment & Development International Field course

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides a structured opportunity for students to gain experience of environment-development issues in the developing country context of Tanzania and to develop fieldwork and research skills. Students will engage in a remote field course learning experience and undertake project work with the support of in-country stakeholders. This module provides an opportunity for students to reflect on, develop, and apply theoretical knowledge learnt in classroom-based modules (e.g. SOEE5281, SOEE5010, SOEE5483, SOEE5550, SOEE5051 and PIED modules). 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, sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. The knowledge and skills developed will be of particular relevance to future environment-development professionals.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are:
1) To provide students with a structured opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge, informed by multiple perspectives, of environment-development issues related to sustainability in a developing country setting.
2) To provide students with an opportunity to translate and apply theory and/or methods learnt in the classroom in the design, implementation and reporting of remotely conducted international project work.
3) To provide students an opportunity to work with in-country stakeholders and research assistants to remotely conduct closely supervised project work 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.
- Experience working with in-country research assistants
- Ability to apply theory learnt in the classroom in project work of relevance to practitioners/policy makers
- Ability to plan, develop, implement and report a remotely conducted research project - Ability to analyse and interpret of qualitative and/or quantitative data
- Ability to think reflexively during research.

Skills outcomes
The module places considerable emphasis on:
- Working remotely in partnership with stakeholders in a developing country context
- Developing deep understanding of a localised context in a developing country context
- Critical analysis and evaluation of literary material and data generated in the field on environment and human development interactions
- Research skills for environment-development studies
- Remote fieldwork planning and practice

- Analysis and interpretation of qualitative and/or quantitative data - Scientific writing and writing for practitioner / policy audience

- Reflexive writing

- Team working


Syllabus

Preparing for remote fieldwork:
1) Introduction to Environment-Development issues in Tanzania
2) Introduction to the Environment & Development context in the East Usambara mountains
3) Topical themes in Environment-Development research and their connections to the local context
4) Project topics of interest and discussion
5) Research practice and methods in cross-cultural contexts
6) Preparing for remote fieldwork and project planning

Remote field course and fieldwork:
1) Recorded lectures and seminars from Nature Reserve staff and other stakeholders
2) Video footage and audio recordings of field visits to farms (crop & livestock), milk dairy centre, butterfly farm, tea estate
3) Video footage of focus groups with tour guides
4) Household interviews with farmers/members of local community
5) Project work

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 - Agricultural development, sustainability and climate-smart innovation - Climate Risk, Vulnerability and Adaptation to climate change - Integrated environment and development interventions/projects - Eco-Tourism and sustainability

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork83.0024.00
Group learning101.0010.00
Lecture62.0012.00
Tutorial31.003.00
Private study hours101.00
Total Contact hours49.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

General Reading – 5 hours
Project specific reading and planning – 24 hours
Data analysis – 20 hours
Preparation Assessment 1 (proposal) – 20 hours
Preparation of Assessment 2 (report) – 32 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

• Immediate feedback will be provided during tutorials and group work sessions when students will discuss their project ideas with staff. • Formative as well as summative feedback will be provided on project proposal ahead of project implementation, allowing students to adjust their plans accordingly.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Research Proposal1500 Words40.00
Report4000 words60.00
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: 18/11/2020 16:33:16

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