Module GEOG41030: UNDERSTANDING RISK

Department: Geography

GEOG41030: UNDERSTANDING RISK

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• FUNDAMENTALS OF RISK RESEARCH, RISK FRONTIERS, DISSERTATION (BY RESEARCH OR VOCATIONAL)

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module aims to provide an overview of key theories and concepts relating to risks to human populations posed by hazards in physical and in social environments. The perspective is interdisciplinary and is designed to allow students to appreciate the complementarity of physical and social science approaches and perspectives.

Content

• 1. Hazard and Risk: basic concepts and terms used to conceptualise and communicate risk
• 2. Understanding the determinants of risk: understanding causal pathways
• 3. Understanding social inequalities of risk: Inequality of exposure, vulnerability and resilience
• 4. Intervention to manage, prevent or mitigate risks to human populations.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to understand and apply advanced conceptual frameworks covered in the module to interpret specific examples of risks in the social and physical environment.
• Students will have an advanced understanding of and be able to interpret the interactions between human activities and ‘natural’ environmental processes which generate risks for human populations.
• Students will be able to demonstrate a good grasp of the challenges involved in designing risk mitigation and management strategies.

• Students will develop skills in the interpretation and application of conceptual frameworks for understanding risks to human populations through individual work on case studies.
• Students will be able to apply the ideas covered in the course to formulate proposals for intervention strategies or research focused on case studies of risk to human populations.
• Students will understand how concepts and theories of risk have been tested empirically using different approaches to formulate a sound conceptual framework, suitable to undertake a masters level dissertation focused on a specific aspect of risk to human populations.

• The ability to debate ideas, while recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
• Written communication

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

• The module will be divided into four blocks, with two blocks per term. Two additional seminars to introduce and conclude the module, will bookend the four main blocks. Each of these four main blocks will have will have two lectures, two staff-led seminars and a tutorial. The lectures will introduce the course material while the seminars will involve discussion on the basis of (a) pre-set readings, and (b) discussion of themes introduced in the lectures. The tutorials will follow each block's seminars and lectures with aim to consolidate learning from that block and provide guidance on reading for the next block. The tutorials will also provide a forum for the module's formative and summative assessment. Summative assessment for the module is a one week essay assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Peer assessment in workshops and written feedback on two essay assignments, one in term one based on blocks 1 and 2 and a second in term 2 based on blocks 3 and 4. NB: formative work is a compulsory part of this module.

■ 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