Land Use Management

Overview

Worldwide, agricultural landscapes and rural habitats have seen a dramatic decline in their biodiversity. Understanding and recording historic land use while managing archaeological and other heritage assets is now an integral part of sustainable, modern field conservation and zero carbon land use regimes. 
This course will be of interest to students who wish to better understand archaeological features in the landscape and how management of the historic environment, within a statutory framework, needs to be considered, alongside the natural environment and zero carbon policy.  
The course provides a guide to the principle forms of evidence for ancient and historical settlement, agriculture, land use and other forms of rural activity. The course will draw on old maps, estate rentals, agricultural censuses and archaeological data as well as real-world case studies. Spatial analysis through digital mapping will give students directly-applicable skills that can be taken forward into post-education employment.  

Programme

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.   

• Unit 1 - Introduction, the First Farmers 
• Unit 2 – Historic Landscape Designations   
• Unit 3 – Digital Mapping and Land Use Models 
• Unit 4 – History and Sustainable Land Use Management 
• Unit 5 – Case Studies and Employability 

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Interrogate and interpret primary sources and data.
2. Identify historic land use.
3. Use industry standard digital mapping tools and software, such as GIS.
4. Evaluate current land use techniques and outline appropriate recommendations. 

Assessments

1. Land Use Report - 2000 Words (60%)
2. Sustainable Management Blog - 500 Words (40%) 

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements. 

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.