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

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

ESC-20110 - Earth's Changing Landscapes
Coordinator: Richard Waller Room: WSF23A Tel: +44 1782 7 33179
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

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. We will also pay particular attention to the accelerating impacts of climate change both on the landscapes and on the human populations that inhabit them, that provide a reminder of the urgent need to reduce our carbon emissions.

Aims
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 Earth's 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 Earth's diverse landscapes.
- Investigating the fundamental controls on their geographical variability and the ways in which these have caused landscapes to evolve over time.
- Considering the accelerating impacts of climate change and their implications for resident 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: 1
Effectively use remotely-sensed imagery to describe, illustrate and interpret a range of global landscapes: 1,2
Assess the impact of environmental conditions and geomorphic processes on human populations and infrastructure, with a specific focus on the accelerating impacts of climate change: 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: 1,2

Study hours

Seminar sessions - 24 hours
Engagement with online learning materials - 60 hours
Coursework preparation - 54 hours
Independent study - 12 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 50%
Global landscape case study exercise
This portfolio comprises a series of entries that address each of the four case studies and focus on the description and interpretation of remotely-sensed imagery. As part of this exercise, students are required to locate, identify and select the images that illustrate the diversity of features characteristic of the relevant landscape, the influence of key controls and its change over time. The word limit for this assignment is 2000 words with each entry being approximately 500 words each.

2: Report weighted 50%
Climate change report
This report focuses on assessing the nature and severity of landscape changes caused by climate change whilst considering their potential impacts on human populations and infrastructure. This is undertaken in relation to one of the case study environments covered in the module with an overall word limit of 2000 words.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023