ADMTPC: Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Module code: ADMTPC

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Sarah Cardey, email: s.p.cardey@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to develop a critical understanding of the intersections between knowledge, communication and ecology. This module will focus on critically engaging with discussions of environmental knowledge, including climate change, to gain an appreciation for the methodologies, theories, and case studies surrounding different types of knowledge. This module is offered online in collaboration with the University of Guelph in Canada. Sessions will be co-taught by colleagues at each institution, with additional guest lecturers. Students will engage with postgraduate students at the University of Guelph in an online environment.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe and critically discuss different theoretical approaches to ecological knowledge, including different traditions in knowledge around environmental change, climate change, and ecological systems
2. Engage in debates about the knowledge and communication processes, including implications for designing community development interventions
3. Describe current trends in communication infrastructure and access and critically assess the potential implications for environmental change
4. Work in a multi-country online environment

Module content

• Climate change communication
• Science communication
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Theoretical concepts of environmental knowledge
• Decolonial design of communication and community development activities
• Knowledge, ecology and identity
• Theoretical principles of research design, including humanism
• Concepts of the Anthropocene
• Capacity building and development

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered predominantly online. Teaching sessions will be delivered through live online seminars and lectures, pre-recorded seminars, online discussion boards, and e-learning materials. A small number of face-to-face tutorials will be held to complement student learning. Independent study will be supported through reading lists and assignments.

Study hours

At least 25 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs