This module critically examines published and field evidence to appraise the climatic and environmental changes that have shaped the landscapes of Britain during the recent geological past. The British Isles have experienced a number of episodes of both climatic warming and climatic cooling. Understanding the causes and consequences of these often complex climatic changes over the last 2.86 million years is the main focus of this module. A special emphasis is placed upon climatic changes that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age and these phenomena are investigated during a short field course run in the Scottish Highlands.

1. A report that will justify a field course proposal and will list explain and justify visiting key areas of a region that will enable the presentation of evidence of climate and environmental change in Britain. The assessment task addresses learning outcomes 1, 2 & 4.

2. A video will be produced as a team that presents evidence from the Scottish Highlands of complex environmental change. Addresses learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3.

3. An individual assignment describing and explaining the content of the video. This addresses learning outcomes 2 3 & 4.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) classes that will combine, on a flexible basis, lectures with workshop exercises and be used to introduce theoretical concepts and to explore case studies (20 hours);
(b) a residential field course in the Scottish Highlands (32 hours);
(c) independent learning through guided reading from core texts, journal articles, educational videos and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of of climate and environmental change (148 hours).

Module Learning Outcome
1. Effecively communicate and explain the the causes and consequences of climatic and environmental changes that have occurred in the British Isles over the last 2.86 million years.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2 3 4 & 6

Module Learning Outcome
2. Effectively communicate and explain the locations, types and significance of evidence that are used to reconstruct histories of environmental change.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, 3, 4 & 6

Module Learning Outcome
3. Critically appraise and criticise both published and field evidence used to reconstruct models of climate and environmental change in during the Loch Lomond Stadial in the Scottish Highland.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.

Module Learning Outcome
4. Synthesise material from a range of sources to develop and support a coherent and clearly expressed argument.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2 3 5 & 7

VLE for online learning.
High quality teaching space for face to face seminars where appropriate with usual audio-visual facilities.
Library resources both online and physical to support research.
Field resources as appropriate for field trip including hire of accommodation and transport.

1. Ehlers, J. et al. (Eds), Glaciations, Extent and Chronology: a closer look. Developments in Quaternary Sciences Volume 15. London: Elsevier.
2. Lowe, J.J. and Walker, M.J.C. 1997 (2nd edition). Reconstructing Quaternary Environments. London: Longman.
3. Palmer, A; Lowe, J; Rose, J, (eds). 2008 The Quaternary of Glen Roy and vicinity: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, 224pp. Cambridge: QRA.
4. Walker, M.J.C. & Bell, M. 2004 Late Quaternary Environmental Change, 2nd Edition, Hounslow: Prentice Hall.
5. Woodward, J. 2014. The Ice Age: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: OUP.

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In studying Ice Age Britain you will critically examine published and field evidence to appraise the climatic and environmental changes that have shaped the landscapes of Britain. A special emphasis is placed upon climatic changes that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age and you will experience the evidence for these phenomena during a short field course run in the Scottish Highlands.