Module Descriptors
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
GEOG50545
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Timothy Harris
Email: T.D.Harris@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 24
Independent Study Hours: 126
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- Produce a poster 1000 words per poster weighted at 100%
- A seminar presentation based upon the poster theme - 10 weighted at 0%
Module Details
Module Learning Outcomes
1. Describe and account for the major global sea level, climatic and environmental changes of the Quaternary 1, 2,3, 4
2. Describe and critically appraise the scientific evidence for change related to specific environments/regions.
1, 2, 3 & 6
3. Describe and account for the major stages in hominid evolution and the complex nature of human/environment relationships over time.
1,2,3, 4, & 6
University 8 Learning Outcomes:
1) Knowledge and Understanding
2) Learning
3) Enquiry
4) Analysis
5) Problem Solving
6) Communication
7) Application
8) Reflection
2. Describe and critically appraise the scientific evidence for change related to specific environments/regions.
1, 2, 3 & 6
3. Describe and account for the major stages in hominid evolution and the complex nature of human/environment relationships over time.
1,2,3, 4, & 6
University 8 Learning Outcomes:
1) Knowledge and Understanding
2) Learning
3) Enquiry
4) Analysis
5) Problem Solving
6) Communication
7) Application
8) Reflection
Module Additional Assessment Details
The poster assessment will be undertaken in pairs or small groups of students, assessing learning outcomes 1-5
The seminar presentation will be summatively assessed by peers and teaching staff and feedback given during the seminar sessions. This will address learning outcomes 1-5
The seminar presentation will be summatively assessed by peers and teaching staff and feedback given during the seminar sessions. This will address learning outcomes 1-5
Module Indicative Content
This module considers global environmental change from the late Pliocene through the Pleistocene and into the Holocene, including contemporary environmental change during what is sometimes termed ‘the Anthropocene’. The course looks at climatic, sea level and terrestrial environment change on the global scale. The impact of these changes upon certain tropical environments are investigated as case studies. A special case study of human evolution, and human/environment evolutionary relationships are explored.
Module Learning Strategies
The module will be delivered through a combination of staff led lectures looking at mechanisms and effects of environmental change during the Quaternary at a global scale; and student group presentations examining environmental change of specific environments/regions. Each week for the first 8 weeks there will also be video workshops presenting a wide spectrum of material related global environmental change. Students will build a portfolio of notes from the workshop that will inform research for the seminars and poster.
Module Texts
Anderson, D. et al. (2013) (2nd edn). Global Environments throughout the Quaternary. Oxford: OUP.
Williams, M. et. al. (1998) (2nd edn) Quaternary Environments. London: Arnold.
Lowe, J., and Walker, M. J. (2015). Reconstructing Quaternary Environments. London: Routledge
Williams, M. et. al. (1998) (2nd edn) Quaternary Environments. London: Arnold.
Lowe, J., and Walker, M. J. (2015). Reconstructing Quaternary Environments. London: Routledge
Module Resources
Access to Blackboard VLE
Access to Box of Broadcasts
Access to Box of Broadcasts