GV1LAR: Landscapes and Natural Resources

Module code: GV1LAR

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Steve Robinson, email: j.s.robinson@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Frank Mayle, email: f.mayle@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 1: Dr Alison MacLeod, email: alison.macleod@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 2: Professor Andrew Wade, email: a.j.wade@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 module introduces students to the integrative concept of landscape, with a focus on the component biophysical elements, their patterns and natural processes. The spatial structure and functions of renewable and living resources that characterise landscapes will be considered. Where relevant, the resilience of these resources in selected landscapes will be considered in the context of global climate change.  

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the integrative concept of landscape and an appreciation of the key biophysical elements and related resources  
2. Identify and characterise, via field and classroom teaching, the diversity of landscape and environmental processes operating in a range of contexts and at a variety of scales (local to global) and which significantly shape our environment (geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, biogeography and soils).   
3. Discuss basic concepts and processes that explain why soils in our landscapes are so variable in terms of their properties and functions in the wider environment.   
4. Use academic literature to support critical discussions on the vulnerability and resilience of renewable and living landscape resources in the context of global climate change and ecosystem services.   

Module content

1. Tectonic setting and global climatic regions/zones and characteristics 
2. Geomorphological forms, catchment and landscape processes (glaciers, rivers, aeolian and coastal environments, weathering) 
3. Soil resources: formation and variability 
4. Mid-semester Break 
5. Soils and land-use change: drivers and impacts 

Sonning field class: soil variability and land use in a local landscape 

6. Water resource management: the river catchment and runoff processes 
7. Water resource management: water below ground 

Campus field class: Water resource assessment - constructing a water balance 

8. Patterns of life across the planet – through space and time 
9. Global processes in shaping our terrestrial ecosystems. 
10. A tour through Earth’s biodiversity – from rainforests to deserts 

Kew Gardens field class 

11. South Wales field class: catchment and landscape processes, ecosystem services 
12. Module synthesis: integrating landform, soil, water and ecology through the concepts of ecosystem services and goods. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Two classroom sessions each week in Teaching Weeks 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 12: 1-hour or 2-hour lecture followed by 1-hour or 2-hour seminar later in the week.  

One classroom session and one field class each week in Teaching Weeks 5, 7 and 10: 1-hour or 2-hour lecture followed by a half- or full-day field class later in the week. 

One full-day field class in Teaching Week 11.  

Lectures describe and explain the concepts and key processes. Seminars discuss landscape and resource case studies and interactions and consolidate knowledge.  

Field classes provide group work and student-centred investigation of specific topics. 

Study hours

At least 46 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 40% 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.

• In-class discussions and Q&A sessions during seminars 
• Group-based verbal feedback from peers and instructors during the field visits 

Reassessment

Additional costs