Module GEOG3621: HAZARD AND RISK

Department: GEOGRAPHY

GEOG3621: HAZARD AND RISK

Prerequisites

• Any Level 1 or level 2 module in Geography or other appropriate evidence.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The core aims of the module are:
• To provide an understanding of the concepts and contexts of hazard, risk and vulnerability
• To introduce students to a range of environmental and technological hazards and the differing perceptions and responses to risk
• To explore the social capacity for resilience and the range of approaches used to manage and mitigate hazard and risk

Content

• The module will consist of four 'blocks' of lectures:
• HAZARD, RISK AND VULNERABILITY: CONCEPTUAL AND EMPIRICAL FOUNDATIONS
• Definitions and conceptual approaches to hazard, risk and vulnerability
• Sources of hazard and risk
• Types and typologies of hazard and risk
• Linking the natural science and social science of hazard and risk
• HAZARD AND RISK ASSESSMENT
• The science of vulnerability
• Temporal and spatial scales in hazard and risk
• Assessing hazard and risk
• Future developments in hazard and risk forecasting
• Critical perspectives on hazard and risk assessment
• CASE STUDIES OF HAZARDS (THESE ARE INDICATIVE)
• Landslides
• Floods and storms
• Earthquakes and volcanoes
• Famines
• Nuclear
• Pollution
• COPING WITH HAZARD AND RISK
• Risk societies
• Societal responses to hazard and risk
• Risk reduction
• Disaster and risk management and response

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• describe the nature of hazards and the links between hazard, risk and vulnerability
• relate wider conceptual debates to a range of specific hazards and case studies
• discuss the ways in which the perception of hazards and therefore risk varies at individual and community levels
• understand at a conceptual and practical level effective coping strategies for hazards, risk and vulnerability

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• relate general principles to specific situations including case studies of specific hazards
• analyse the complex interactions between natural and social systems

• On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
• Perform assessments and interpretations explained in lectures/practicals and extract patterns from data
• Present logical written and oral arguments

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures, workshops and Fieldwork
• Lectures will provide the conceptual and empirical foundation for the module in line with the aims set out above and including guidance on relating methods to topics of research. These will be provided by a teaching team of Human and Physical geographers to ensure that the links between the two sides of the subject area are made clear. The workshops will provide students with the opportunity to discuss and develop the material covered in the lectures, drawing on further reading. The one day field trip will provide a 'hands-on' introduction to hazard and risk assessment, allowing students to gain experience of the techniques involved and of the problems associated with these methodologies. The module paper will examine some of the methodological, social and conceptual issues associated with hazard and risk. The written examination will complement the module paper by testing students' understanding of basic principles and processes, and their ability to support their argument with appropriate reference to the general literature and case studies.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1000 word field visit report, with written feedback

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University