Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Field Trip | 1 x 32 Hour Field Trip |
| Lecture | 11 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Study week report (2500 words) | 55% |
| Semester Assessment | Day visits report (2000 words) | 45% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify and evaluate how socio-economic, policy and environmental factors affect land use and management of the countryside for multiple objectives.
2. Compare the approaches taken by a range of organisations to the management of sites, habitats and species.
3. Evaluate the extent to which policy and practice for land management conserve biodiversity and natural capital and are based on the best available scientific evidence.
Brief description
Through a series of visits and associated workshops this module will enable students to gain an appreciation of the approaches to practical management of a wide range of countryside sites and an understanding of the many factors that determine how land is managed and with what objectives in mind. There will be opportunities to meet with representatives of a range of stakeholders involved in the countryside including landowners/farmers, governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations and businesses. A variety of different approaches to site, habitat and species management will be considered alongside the varied potential services provided by the countryside such as nature conservation, food and materials production, recreation, tourism, water regulation and renewable energy production.
Content
• Habitat and species conservation
• Production of food, materials and energy
• Landscape protection and enhancement
• Access, recreation, tourism and visitor management
• The role of governmental and non-governmental organisations
• Maintenance of rural communities
• Recognition of the benefits of Ecosystem Services and natural capital.
The challenges faced when turning policy into practice.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Analysis and presentation of data is required for certain visits and are intrinsic to the agri-environment audit worksheet and the woodland management plan. |
| Communication | Written communication will be developed through the assignment report. Verbal communication will be developed during the visits, expression of complex land use issues in workshops (groups), in small group working (groups and individuals). |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Personal scholarly research associated with workshops and assignment. |
| Information Technology | The assignment should be word processed and students will need to use IT to research and illustrate qualitative information and results of data analysis. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Visits will include meetings with organizations and individuals directly involved with countryside careers. |
| Problem solving | Not a significant component of the module. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to carry out detailed research as part of the assignment. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Not a significant component of the module. Integrative and cross-cutting subject material. |
| Team work | Small working group and workshop activities. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5