BATH SPA UNIVERSITY Erasmus, exchange & study abroad module catalogue Geography: semester 2 Modules at Bath Spa University are usually worth either 10, 20 or 40 credits. If you are using the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), you must always halve the Bath Spa University credits to get an accurate transfer to ECTS. E.g. 10 Bath Spa University Credits = 5 ECTS 20 Bath Spa University Credits = 10 ECTS 40 Bath Spa University Credits = 20 ECTS Please use the tables below to view modules and their credit worth. Students must always choose a minimum of 60 Bath Spa University credits (or 30 ECTS) when selecting modules per semester. Department: Geography Module Code: GE4011-20 Module Title: Global Development Study Hours: 28 contact/80 independent BSU Credits: 10 ECTS: 5 Module description: It is likely that the Millennium Development Goal of halving world poverty will be achieved by 2015, with extreme poverty rates falling, mortality rates decreasing, and economic output in developing countries increasing. Yet around 20% of the world s population still live on less than $1.25 a day, population growth rates remain high in developing regions, girls are still less likely to enrol in primary education, over 30 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, and annual emissions of carbon dioxide continue to increase (World Bank 2012). This module will help you to understand this global reality of poverty, development, and sustainability. In this module the drivers of development and its impact, and issues of environmental resources and degradation, and urban and rural development will be examined. Weekly calendar: The curriculum will be drawn from topics such as: People and the development process; Development and disasters; Globalisation and resistance; Microfinance and development; and supported by case studies. Assessment: Briefing Paper (100%)
Module Code: GE4010-20 Module Title: Investigating Earth Environments Study Hours: 52 contact/148 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: This module introduces geomorphology, a discipline studying the form and materials of the landscape and the Earth surface processes acting upon it. It introduces both the fundamental ideas of this science, and the research tools used to monitor and explore this dynamic global environment. The primary aim of this module is to increase familiarity of the Earth surface, and to understand how different landscapes function and the nature of their continuing dynamism. The module primarily considers endogenic and exogenic processes (e.g. the action of water, ice and wind) and the landforms that are produced. To achieve this aim, you will be introduced to the traditional and new techniques commonly employed in the discipline. The module lays the foundation for more detailed study of applied geomorphology at other academic levels. Weekly calendar: A strong practical skills emphasis to this module is underpinned by the theoretical approach to the fundamental principles (knowledge) of geomorphology. Themes include: understanding geomorphic systems; the role of erosion, transport and deposition in geomorphic environments; understanding process-landform relationships; awareness of geographical distributions and familiarity with contrasting physical environments; and, landscape development and evolution over time. Assessment: Portfolio (2 practical reports) 60%, Exam 40% Department: Geography Module Code: GE5019-20 Module Title: Environmental Hazards Study Hours: 52 contact/80 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: Environmental hazards are a part of all our lives. Every day, someone, somewhere is impacted by a natural or technological disaster. This module will explore the processes driving these events, and investigate how society may best manage and mitigate their occurrence given they often cause death, injury, homelessness, displacement, destruction of infrastructure and economic impacts. We will provide you with knowledge of key concepts and the characteristics of a selected range of environmental hazards; with particular reference to recent examples and classic case studies, affecting communities in the global North and South. It develops a multi-disciplinary understanding of issues surrounding the perception of hazard and risk and explores a range of management approaches, including risk assessment methods. Weekly calendar: The syllabus will be in two parts (A & B), and typical content will include: Part A (Concepts, Processes and Impacts)- an introduction to the module and hazard types; discussion of hazard and risk concepts; mass movement hazards; atmospheric and hydrological hazards (especially flooding); tectonic hazards (e.g. earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunami); technological hazards (e.g. industrial accident, dam burst). Part B (Hazard/ Risk Perception & Management) - hazard and risk perception; risk assessment; prediction; forecasting; mitigation and management strategies. Assessment: Poster (40%); Research Essay (60%)
Module Code: GE5027-20 Module Title: Climate Change and Sustainability Study Hours: 28 contact/80 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: Climate change is the biggest challenge facing contemporary society, with a wide range of impacts occurring and predicted, demonstrating a clear need for more sustainable living. This module considers the natural and human-induced causes of climate change, explores the range of impacts, and discusses mitigation measures. A range of temporal and spatial scales will be used to explore these aspects, including discussion of longer-term processes of environmental change and the reconstruction of past climates using environmental proxies. The environmental and socio-economic impacts of more recent climate change will be considered using a range of global case studies, while individual, local, national and global strategies to mitigate the impacts will be identified and evaluated. Key concepts including vulnerability, resilience and adaptability will be considered to enable a more informed understanding of the consequences of climate change and the potential for a more sustainable way of life. In this way, the module investigates the science of climate change, and the impacts, responses and politics of climate change. Weekly calendar: Topics will be drawn from the following: Climate change over geomorphological timescales: the Pleistocene glaciation; Reconstructing the past using environmental proxies; The science of human-induced climate change; Livelihoods and vulnerability within a context of climate change; Environmental and socio-economic impacts of climate change; and Strategies to address climate change and enhance sustainability from individual to global scale. Assessment: Essay (50%), Project Report (50%)
Module Code: GE6013-20 Module Title: Coastal and River Management Study Hours: 39 contact/87 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: The management of river and coastal systems are important for environment and society. This module introduces a range of current problems facing rivers and coasts such as water resources, erosion and sedimentation, and dealing with the impacts of anthropogenic activities and climate change. Students will appraise environmental issues and problems facing rivers and coasts and, applying knowledge and understanding of environmental processes and systems, explore and critique options for remedies and management, and recommend solutions. Current policies, strategies and legislation, such as the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), will be explored. Up-to-date technology and methods will be reviewed, as well as practical application using, for instance, remote sensing and GIS technologies. Weekly calendar: Channel forms and system response to environmental change; Hard engineering applications; River rehabilitation and restoration; Managing channel erosion and sedimentation; Groundwater, low flows and droughts; Flood studies; Integrated catchment management and water resources; Digital modelling of catchments and runoff; Coastal habitats and conservation; Coastal policy and planning; Coastal management strategies, e.g. shoreline management plans; Integrated Coastal Zone Management; Managing climate change in coastal and river environments; Use of GIS in the management of coastal systems. Assessment: Practical Report (50%), Research Essay (50%)
Module Code: GE6027-20 Module Title: Identities and Inequalities: Past and Present Study Hours: 39 contact/161 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: In this module you will explore the construction and representation of social groups, and the places these groups inhabit,in both historical and contemporary settings. A key focus will be on the construction and representation of race and gender. The regulation of space, culture and social groups is studied through consideration of firstly, the power of representation, e.g. photographic, cartographic, literary forms and secondly, on the ground practises, e.g. legislation and control of population and territory. A range of case-study examples are considered from the colonisation and settlement of North America in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to questioning whether slavery really has been abolished. Weekly calendar: A range of key themes will be considered, such as: Geographical Imagination: Construction of overseas people and places; Cartography and power; Imagining and Mapping Empire; Defining colonialism, imperialism and postcolonialism; Mapping race and ethnicity: past and present; Links between race and gender and management of colonies; Role of women in the colonies; Slavery Past and Present; Representing Natural Landscapes: e.g. Wilderness Tropics ; Exclusion of native groups from landscape; Postcolonial critiques of place and identity; Influence of colonial pasts on modern global cities; Contemporary citizenship education in the UK. Assessment: Critical Analysis (Poster) (40%) Negotiated Research Paper (60%)
Module Code: GE6015-20 Module Title: Development and Disasters Study Hours: 20 contact, 80 independent BSU Credits: 10 ECTS: 5 Module description: In this module, you will investigate the causes of, and responses to, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. In particular, you will acquire valued skills in the collection and analysis of geographic data that can be used to understand these events and coordinate the response. This includes mapping areas affected by disasters and humanitarian emergencies, and understanding the effects of these events on the development of the area. Potential case studies include areas affected by the Haitian earthquake, the Asian tsunami, conflict in Timor Leste, and flooding in Pakistan. You will explore the theoretical background behind these events, thereby gaining an understanding of the relationship to wider development debates. During this module, you will also gain awareness of potential career paths and contemporary issues facing the geomatics and development sector. A studentorganised conference will give you the opportunity to establish links with the industry with a view to commencing a career in the sector. Weekly calendar: Taught through a mixture of lectures and time spent designing student-led conference. The syllabus addresses issues related to the causes of, and the response to natural disasters and the coordination of humanitarian assistance. This includes theoretical perspectives as well as practical and logistical considerations. The syllabus is underpinned by the collection and interpretation of geographic data that is used to assist the response to disasters and humanitarian emergencies. The module culminates in a student-organised event bringing together expertise from the development and geomatics industry, and showcasing student work. Assessment: Industry related conference activity (100%)