ESC-20110 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

The Earth is characterised by a remarkable diversity of spectacular landscapes that reflect the product of complex connections between environment, process and form. These landscapes are constantly changing and evolving in response to the influence of a range of controls including climate change and plate tectonics. This module explores this diversity in global landscapes with a specific focus on a series of case study examples that illustrate the ways in which these landscapes have changed over time and may continue to change into the future. This also includes the impact on biodiversity and human populations.

The Earth¿s surface is characterised by a remarkable diversity of landscapes that reflect complex interactions between a number of controlling factors including global climate, tectonics and variations in Earth surface materials. Through the detailed exploration of remotely-sensed imagery, this module considers the nature and spatial variability of the Earths landscapes as well as their evolution and change over time by:
- Examining the connections between environment, process and form and the ways in which these are expressed in the form of the Earths diverse landscapes.
- Investigating the fundamental controls on their geographical variability and the ways in which these have caused landscapes to evolve over time.
- Considering landscape evolution of short and long-term timescales, including the accelerating impacts of climate change and their implications for biodiversity and human populations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe and explain the spatial variability in geomorphic processes and products and the associated diversity of global landscapes: 1
Describe and explain the changing nature of the Earth's landscapes over time in relation to a series of key controls including climate change and plate tectonics: 2
Effectively use remotely-sensed imagery to describe, illustrate and interpret a range of global landscapes: 1,2
Assess the impact of short and long-term landscape evolution (environmental conditions and geomorphic processes) on human populations and biodiversity: 2
Illustrate the dynamic, plural and contested nature of the subject area, and explain the role played by geographers, geoscientists and environmental scientists in advancing knowledge and understanding through both academic and applied research: 1

Study hours

Core teaching content - 11 hours (in-situ interactive lectures)
Journal Clubs - 7 hours (in-situ)
Engagement with online learning materials - 10 hours
Journal Club reading and preparation - 21 hours
Independent coursework preparation and reading / investigation of aerial imagery - 101 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment