Module Descriptors
SUSTAINABLE COUNTRYSIDE DEVELOPMENT
BIOL60591
Key Facts
School of Health, Science and Wellbeing
Level 6
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Paul Mitchell
Email: P.Mitchell@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 42
Independent Study Hours: 258
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- REPORT weighted at 50%
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
Development is a human imperative which in the past has had little or no regard to environmental and resource use. Unless development is undertaken in a sustainable way human existence will become untenable. With this in mind this module examines how sustainable concepts are applied to countryside management. This will be done through a range of case studies and lectures. The conflicts between food production and ecological conservation will be examined. Your ability to recognise indicators of sustainability in relation to countryside management will be developed. The arguments around sustainable energy sites and landscape conservation will be examined and also the impacts of expanding urban development on the countryside. The ethics, for example, of introducing commercial genetically modified crops into the countryside will be debated.
As agriculture has been the biggest single development on the British landscape particular emphasis will be placed on its impact on species, habitats and the environment as a whole.
As agriculture has been the biggest single development on the British landscape particular emphasis will be placed on its impact on species, habitats and the environment as a whole.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Report (3000 word count) weighted at 50% (LO 5-7)
Assignment (3000 word count) weighted at 50% (LO 1-4)
Formative assessment will take the form of short answer questions mid module and review of assignment plan prior to final submission.
Assignment (3000 word count) weighted at 50% (LO 1-4)
Formative assessment will take the form of short answer questions mid module and review of assignment plan prior to final submission.
Module Learning Strategies
The module is delivered via 36 hours of lectures and seminars for case studies and 6 hours of site visit.
The independent study time should be 258 hours split approximately 158 hours reading and 100 hours assessment preparation.
The independent study time should be 258 hours split approximately 158 hours reading and 100 hours assessment preparation.
Module Texts
Bayliss-Smith, T.P. (1991) The Ecology of Agricultural Systems. Cambridge University Press
Pretty.J (1999) The Living Land: Agriculture, Food and Community Regeneration in the 21st Century Earthscan Publications LTD
Soffe, R. (2005) The Agricultural Notebook. Blackwell
Soffe, R. (2005) The Countryside Notebook. Blackwell
Lawn, P. (2006) Sustainable Development Indicators in Ecological Economics. Edward Elgar
Mawhinney, M. (2002) Sustainable Development: Understanding The Green Debates. Blackwell
Steger, U. et al. (2004) Sustainable Development and Innovation in the Energy Sector. Springer
Pretty.J (1999) The Living Land: Agriculture, Food and Community Regeneration in the 21st Century Earthscan Publications LTD
Soffe, R. (2005) The Agricultural Notebook. Blackwell
Soffe, R. (2005) The Countryside Notebook. Blackwell
Lawn, P. (2006) Sustainable Development Indicators in Ecological Economics. Edward Elgar
Mawhinney, M. (2002) Sustainable Development: Understanding The Green Debates. Blackwell
Steger, U. et al. (2004) Sustainable Development and Innovation in the Energy Sector. Springer
Module Resources
Internet access
Library
Library