GV3ER2-ERASMUS Exchange Programme

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only open to Geography students
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Filippo Menga

Email: f.menga@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module allows students to opt to spend one of their third year terms (Autumn or Spring) at one of our Erasmus partner institutions in Europe or through the University-wide links in North America and Australia. Currently, the Department has established links with: The Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen (The Netherlands); The University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS) and The Department of Geography, University of Bergen (Norway). For those students studying abroad in Europe, funding is contributed by the ERASMUS+ Exchange Scheme. Each study abroad student takes modules equivalent to 40 credits, which are substituted for course credits in Reading.

Aims:
The higher education section of SOCRATES II ("ERASMUS") continues and extends the European Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (the "ERASMUS programme"), established in 1987. It is named after the philosopher, theologian and humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam (1465-1536). An untiring adversary of dogmatic thought in all fields of human endeavour, Erasmus lived and worked in several parts of Europe, in quest of the knowledge, experience and insights which only such contacts with other countries could bring.
While the promotion of 'physical mobility', mainly of students, constituted the main thrust of ERASMUS Phase I and II, the higher education Chapter of SOCRATES seeks to integrate such mobility into a wider framework of cooperation activities which aim at developing a "European Dimension" within the entire range of a university's academic programmes. "Bringing students to Europe, bringing Europe to all students"
The Department of Geography at the University of Reading currently has well-established links with three European partner institutions:

- Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands (Human and Human and Physical Geographers)
- The University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS), Norway (Physical Geographers and Human and Physical Geographers)
- The Department of Geography, University of Bergen, Norway (All Geography Degree Programmes)

Students can choose to visit Groningen or Aarhus in either the Autumn or Spring term, but they can only visit UNIS and Bergen in the Autumn Term.

Assessable learning outcomes:
In all cases the ERASMUS and Study Abroad Exchange scheme is an opportunity to broaden your experience and understanding of a different culture. Study abroad increases your self-esteem and self-assurance, it will throw new light on your subject, introduce a fresh perspective to your studies, and last, and by no means least, it will improve your prospects for employment.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
Students study the equivalent of 2 modules, each of 20 credits, for a total of 40 credits. These two module marks will represent 40 credits of the Part 3 assessment. Content depends on module selection and destination. It may include:

Groningen (Netherlands): Spatial Problems and Spatial Policies: The Dutch Experience; Theories of Demographic Behaviour; Urban and Regional Development Strategies: The Dutch Experience; Investment Geography; Population and Health; Individual and Group Research Projects

Aarhus (Denmark): Glacial Geology and Sedimentology; Quartenary Paleoenvironments; Laboratory Techniques in Earth Sciences; Geography of Rural Landscapes; Environmental Management in Geology; Geomorphology Project

UNIS (Svalbard): The Physical Geography of Svalbard; Arctic Marine Geology: Processes and environments; The Tectonic and Sedimentary History of Svalbard; Glacial and Periglacial Processes; The Quaternary Climate History of the Arctic; Polar Ecology and Population Biology

Global context:
Studying abroad as part of your Geography Degree is an exciting and stimulating way of equipping you with the skills and experiences for living and working in a globalised world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Depending on course selection, a combination of lectures, practicals, fieldwork, seminar work and individual and group presentations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Placement		200
Total hours by term		200
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method

Percentage

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Depends on course selection. Students will receive a grade of A-F which is converted to a percentage according to the guidelines stipulated by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy.
The following penalties will be applied to coursework which is submitted after the deadline for submission:

- where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for the piece of work will be deducted from the mark;

- where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar week after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
(Please refer to the Undergraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guideUG.aspx)

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall, equivalent to an ECTS grade E

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-sit examination in late August/Sept or as per requirements of host institution

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019