GEOGG066 Changing Landscapes

CORE GEOGG066 - CHANGING LANDSCAPES
(15 credits)

Term 2 (2012)

Staff:
Jan Axmacher, Sam Randalls

Aims:
·    to explore cultural perspectives (historical and contemporary) on nature within China
·    to introduce alternative views and approaches to nature conservation and management
·    to widen perspectives on natural conditions and processes at different spatial scales

Content:
The Changing Landscapes option is organised around a two-week field class in China. The course begins with an introduction to views of the landscapes in ancient and contemporary China. The first week is spent in and around Beijing, visiting places like the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven to gain an understanding of the historic perspective of landscapes. This is supplemented by visits to more recent parks like the Fragrant Hills and the Botanical Garden. The understanding gained in this first week is then followed up with site visits in the wider vicinity of Beijing (e.g. on excursions towards the Inner Mongolian Plateau) to investigate contrasting environmental settings and management practice in the wider landscape. Special emphasis is given to aspects of nature conservation, its implementation and how this reflects both the environmental conditions and people’s perspectives.

The main topics include:

·    Introduction to landscape ideas in ancient China
·    Introduction to contemporary cultural and philosophical debates about nature
·    Investigation into landscape structure and environmental settings
·    Introduction into management and conservation of ecosystems in China

Assessment:
Field report (2000 words)

Format:
The course is based around a residential field-class in China with an introductory lecture at the beginning of the 2nd term.

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course students should:
·    Understand large-scale ecosystem processes and natural and anthropogenic factors influencing these processes
·    Understand approaches towards nature conservation and management of the environment, and how these are shaped by differences in philosophy and culture