2020-21 BA Human Geography and Environment Programme Design Document

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1	Programme Information & PLOs
2	Title of the new programme – including any year abroad/ in industry variants
3	BA Human Geography and Environment
4	Level of qualification
5	Please select:				Level 6
6	Please indicate if the programme is offered with any year abroad / in industry variants																				Year in Industry Please select Y/N								Yes
7																					Year AbroadPlease select Y/N								Yes
8	Department(s): Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department
9	Lead Department		Department of Environment and Geography
10	Other contributing Departments:		N/A
11	Programme Leader
12	Dr Karen Parkhill
13	Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
14	Statement of purpose for applicants to the programme
15	This BA in Human Geography & Environment degree programme is highly distinctive with a strong focus on current environmental issues (including global warming, pollution, urban sprawl and loss of biodiversity) and contemporary human geography issues such as food and water security, poverty, gender inequality, and their impact on the natural environment. It is unique in its ability to integrate active applied research in human geography and provides students access to expertise that is highly interdisciplinary across natural and social sciences. You will be equipped with skills in Human Geography and Environmental sciences disciplines in a way that will enable you to evaluate current environmental and contemporary human geography issues and develop your own solutions. You will be trained to critically review relevant literatures in your field, to apply techniques and methods from these core disciplines so that by your final year of study you are well equipped to undertake an independent research project. You will be introduced to digital learning technologies and will participate in teamwork projects and fieldwork. Graduates from this degree are solution-oriented, inter-disciplinary thinkers who can communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, to a range of audiences, the key environmental challenges facing humanity and their solutions. The course will appeal to students who are looking to move into career directions, such as international aid and development, as well as working within local government departments (housing, environmental services, regeneration and economic development).
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17	PLO	On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
18	1	Debate, interpret and explain local to global sustainability, development and environmental issues occurring on a range of scales using appropriate methods and norms, and engage critically with theory, knowledge and emerging issues in human geography [Knowledgeable and aware]
19	2	Obtain, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information on human geography and related areas from a wide range of reliable sources [Independent learner]
20	3	Cut across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of research areas to generate knowledge and understanding from experiences of the epistemologies of social statistics, development studies, human geography and environmental planning [Interdisciplinary thinker]
21	4	Plan, design and execute research as an individual or as part of a team using critically-selected methods including GIS, ethnography, social survey, focus groups, interviewing, observation, use of textual and archival sources [Creator of new knowledge]
22	5	Critically analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate tools to draw meaningful conclusions from research in the field of human geography [Analytical]
23	6	Effectively communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media [Effective communicator]
24	7	Recommend sustainable solutions to environmental problems that consider the broader social, political and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from social, political, economic and environmental disciplines [Problem solver]
25	8	Work responsibly as part of a team or as a team-leader to set challenging yet attainable goals and make an important contribution to understanding the impacts of global sustainability, development and environmental issues [Team player]
26	Programme Learning Outcome for year in industry (where applicable) For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year in Industry’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year in industry b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year in industry by alteration of the standard PLOs.
27	We have altered a number of PLOs relevant to our Year in Industry programme and so have provided a separate proforma for this programme.
28	Programme Learning Outcome for year abroad programmes (where applicable) For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year Abroad’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year abroad or b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year abroad by alteration of the standard PLOs.
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30	Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning OutcomesPlease explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
31	i) Why the PLOs are considered ambitious or stretching?
32	Through achieving our programme outcomes you will be equipped with the abilities and confidence to improve your understanding of the world around you and work towards developing sustainable solutions to current environmental problems. Our outcomes require you to be critical in terms of the information you use and the research tools you employ, persuasive and clear in the ways in which you communicate, and interdisciplinary in your approaches towards understanding and recommending solutions to environmental problems that consider the broader social, political and environmental contexts. These are all characteristics that we will help you to develop through our Human Geography and Environment degree and will enable you to be successful in your future career.
33	ii) The ways in which these outcomes are distinctive or particularly advantageous to the student:
34	The programme outcomes capture the key employability skills that graduates of a Human Geography and Environment degree will be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in this field of work. By providing you with a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes through Key Points Training (KPT) and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills you will be able to draw on specific examples of work that you have undertaken to evidence your accomplishments to potential future employers. Through interactions with government, external environmental and industrial organisations you will see how the skills embedded in our programme outcomes can be used in the workplace.
35	iii) How the programme learning outcomes develop students’ digital literacy and will make appropriate use of technology-enhanced learning (such as lecture recordings, online resources, simulations, online assessment, ‘flipped classrooms’ etc)?
36	a. Digital literacy - Through our Human Geography and Environment degree you will develop the key digital skills required for effective communication, finding and using reliable sources, and analysing quantitative and qualitative datasets. You will receive training in the use of the relevant digital tools at key points throughout your degree and be provided with opportunities to use them in a range of applications. This will ensure that when you graduate you are ready to effectively apply these tools in a work-based setting; b. Technology-enhanced learning - We have developed an online site (the KPT Skills Hub) that you can use to develop key skills, and improve and progress throughout your degree. The online Skills Hub complements the teaching you will receive during contact hours and gives you the tools and flexibility to work on key skills development in your own time.
37	iv) How the PLOs support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)? The programme's employablity objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
38	http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/careers/staff/
39	Human Geography and Environment graduates are equipped to move in several career directions, often combining their knowledge of human and environmental activity to work in areas such as town planning, travel and tourism or aspects of environmental protection. The programme outcomes capture the key employability skills that graduates of a Human Geography and Environment degree will be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in this field of work. By providing you with a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes through Key Points Training (KPT) and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills (for example through possible internships within the department) you will be able to draw out specific examples of work that you have undertaken to evidence your accomplishments to potential future employers. Through interactions with government, external environmental and industrial organisations you will see how the skills embedded in our programme outcomes can be used in the workplace.
40	vi) How will students who need additional support for academic and transferable skills be identified and supported by the Department?
41	In every case Key Points Training is linked to a key piece of assessment. The result of this assessment will signpost to you and to the department how you are progressing towards the programme outcomes as you move through your degree. We have developed an online resource (the KPT Skills Hub) that you can use outside of contact hours to support your effective development of the skills needed to be successful in your chosen degree programme. Our programmes are also designed so that you have a wide range of opportunities to use and practice key skills developed in KPT training in a number of other core and optional modules.
42	vii) How is teaching informed and led by research in the department/ centre/ University?
43	We are a reserach-active department and share our latest research findings and methods with you through our teaching. Throughout your degree you will be actively involved in designing and undertaking research projects aimed at both understanding the world around us and solving environmental problems. All of our courses include fieldtrips that allow you to see how the theory and knowledge you have been taught in lectures apply in a range of national and international settings. Through tutorials and seminars you will gain experience in discussing cutting-edge research and develop key communication skills. Lectures are supplemented by guest speakers from the environmental think-tank the Stockholm Environment Institute, York (SEI-Y), and a range of external environmental and industrial organisations, exposing you to potential areas of future employment throughout your degree.
44	Stage-level progression Please complete the table below, to summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of each year. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules. Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each PLO, but this can be done if preferred (please add information in the 'individual statement' boxes). For a statement that applies across all PLOs in the stage fill in the 'Global statement' box.
45	Stage 0 (if your programme has a Foundation year, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
49	Stage 1
50	On progression from the first year (Stage 1), students will be able to:											Engage with theory, knowledge and emerging issues in human geography and be able to undertake research as part of a group
51	PLO 1		PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6					PLO 7					PLO 8
52	Interpret and explain a range of human geography, development, sustainability and ecological theories, epistemologies and methodologies related to the topic areas		Identify and use relevant specific and cognate literature from a range of sources to support information needs			Situate knowledge and subject developments in relation to other disciplines, for e.g. social sciences, environmental sciences, urban studies, development studies and geopolitics					Execute research as a team using relevant and appropriate methods and start to design aspects of a basic research project with guidance					Collect, organise and summarise datasets, and use basic statitical methods and programmes to analyse a range of qualitative and quantitative data from both primary and secondary sources					Effectively communicate research findings through a range of written, verbal and visual mediums					Demonstrate an awareness of environmental issues within a wider context and take into account the complexities involved in designing sustainable solutions					Understand team dynamics and contribute effectively within a small team
53	Stage 2
54	On progression from the second year (Stage 2), students will be able to:											Use theoretical and practical knowledge to design and undertake research as part of a group, and critically evaluate sustainable solutions to environmental problems
55	PLO 1		PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6					PLO 7					PLO 8
56	Question and critically engage with a range of human geography, development, sustainability and ecological theories, epistemologies and methodologies related to the topic areas		Systematically and critically probe and evaluate relevant specific and cognate literature from a range of sources			Draw and construct knowledge and deeper understanding from other disciplines, for e.g. social sciences, environmental sciences, urban studies, development studies and geopolitics					Design and execute research as a team using relevant and appropriate methods					Independently conduct reasoned and exploratory data analysis, and interpret a range of qualitative and quantitative data from both primary and secondary sources					Effectively communicate complex ideas and persuasive arguments using a range of mediums					Apply knowledge and understanding from wider subject disciplines to critically evaluate sustainable solutions to environmental problems					Understand team dynamics and contribute effectively towards the team or act as a team leader
57	Programme Structure
58	Module Structure and Summative Assessment Map Please complete the summary table below which shows the module structure and the pattern of summative assessment through the programme. ‘Option module’ can be used in place of a specific named option. If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided in the next section. From the drop-down select 'S' to indicate the start of the module, 'A' to indicate the timing of each distinct summative assessment point (eg. essay submission/ exam), and 'E' to indicate the end of the module (if the end of the module coincides with the summative assessment select 'EA') . It is not expected that each summative task will be listed where an overall module might be assessed cumulatively (for example weekly problem sheets). If summative assessment by exams will be scheduled in the summer Common Assessment period (weeks 5-7) a single ‘A’ can be used within the shaded cells as it is understood that you will not know in which week of the CAP the examination will take place.
59	Stage 0 (if you have modules for Stage 0, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
73	Stage 1
74	Credits	Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
75		Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
76	20	ENV00008C		Introduction to Human Geography		S												A							E		A
77	20	ENV00028C		Data Analysis for Environmental Research		S									A										EA
78	20	ENV00002C		Ecological Principles for the Environment											S											A			E	A	A	A
79	10	ENV00018C		Environment, Development and Society		S									E	A
80	20	ENV00021C		Global Geographies		S									A										EA
81	10	ENV00026C		Qualitative Approaches to Social Science Research												S									E		A
82	20	ENV00023C		Field Project (HuGE & EEE)																			S			A			A				EA
83	Stage 2
84	Credits	Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
85		Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
86	20	ENV00026I		Environmental Policy		S															A				E					A	A	A
87	10	ENV00001I		Ocean Management and Conservation		S									E	A
88	10	ENV00030I		Economics of Sustainable Development		S									EA
89	20	ENV00033I		Residential Field Course																			S			E			A	A	A	A
90	20	ENV00013I		Energy and the Environment		S										A									E		A
91	10	ENV00016I		Environmental Systems Project																S						A			EA
92	10	ENV00020I		Biogeography												S									EA
93	10	ENV00012I		Geographical Information Systems		S									EA
94	20	ENV00023I		Food, Space, Culture and Society		S										A									E					A	A	A
95	20	ENV00028I		Geographies of Development		S													A						E				A
96	20	ENV00021I		Megacities and Urbanisation		S											A								E					A	A	A
97	10	ENV00022I		Sustainable Tourism and Transport												S									E			A
98	10	SOC00016I		Nature, Culture & Technology		S																							E
99	10	EDU00054I		Education & the Environment		S																							E
100	Stage 3
101	Credits	Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
102		Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
103	40	ENV00011H		3rd Year Research Project		S																						EA
104	20	ENV00033H		Gender, Environment and Global Poverty		S											A								E					A	A	A
105	20	ENV00031H		Environmental Psychology for a Sustainable Society		S												A							E					A	A	A
106	20	ENV00036H		Biodiversity and Society		S													A						E					A	A	A
107	20	ENV00032H		Production and Consumption Geographies - Fieldtrip to Prague		S			A			A			EA
108	20	ENV00044H		Environmental and Natural Resource Economics		S									A								A		EA
109	20	ENV00040H		Land Use Change and Management		S														A					E					A	A	A
110	20	SOC00039H		The Racial State		S									E
111	20	SOC00007H		Humans & Other Animals		S									A
112	Optional module listsIf the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided below. If you need more space, use the toggles on the left to reveal ten further hidden rows.
113	Option List A		Option List B			Option List C					Option List D					Option List E					Option List F					Option List G					Option List H
114	Energy and the Environment		Biodiversity and Society
115	Ocean Management and Conservation		Land use change and management
116	Megacities and Urbanisation		Environmental and Natural Resource Economics