Module manager: Prof Paul Chatterton
Email: p.chatterton@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module explores concepts, practices, histories and case studies of creating alternative futures. It takes a critical look at the capitalist world as it is and starts by exploring how our contemporary world can be transformed and how obstacles to change can be overcome. This module overall takes a positive and hopeful stance towards the future and seeks to understand how community and grassroots innovation can transform the future of the places where we live. Parts of the module will involved a “flipped learning” style, with students reviewing recorded lecture materials and readings in advance of facilitated group sessions. Students will prepare for sessions individually, but will work in a team in some workshop sessions to deepen understanding and apply high-level concepts to real-world practice.
By the end of this module students who have engaged well with the syllabus should be able to:
1. display an informed understanding of processes of ecological, social and political change at local scales;
2. engage with different future scenarios for our world;
3. demonstrate an awareness of the multi-faceted nature of social change and future scenarios and alternatives in practice;
4. use academic, journalistic and electronic information sources to inform their critical analysis of processes of change;
5. work in a team to express their understanding in written and oral forms.
To demonstrate an ability to:
- critically understand and apply themes relevant to climate, ecological and social change such as degrowth, decolonisation, anthropocentrism, ecofeminism, and others
- critically understand and assess real world case study alternatives from different geographical contexts
- understand and discuss module themes at a high level in peer group setting
- work in a team to articulate, in written and oral form, the significance and practicalities of module themes in relation to creating real-world change and alternatives
Cognitive skills
Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
Developing reasoned arguments
Practical/professional skills
Plan, design, execute and report geographical research
Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of qualitative geographical data
Recognise the ethical issues involved in geographical debates and enquiries
Work in a team to relate concepts to practice through critical analysis.
.
Key skills
Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
Explore ideas in group settings to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
Work in a team to critically assess ideas and create practical applications.
Manage time and organise work effectively.
UNIT ONE: challenges
The converging emergencies
Colonisation-decolonisation
Growth-degrowth
Culture-nature
Strategy-agency
UNIT TWO: Alternatives Into Practice
Health
Food
Economy - Livelihoods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Independent Learning | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| Private study hours | 171 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 34 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 205 | ||
- 68 hours reading to support individual lectures and to prepare for seminars, workshops
- 78 hours reading, bibliographical research preparation and completion of assessed portfolio and group project
The bi-weekly MCQs test knowledge and provide formative feedback plus weekly planning sessions for portfolio and group project
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| In-course MCQ | Individual and group version | 10 |
| Portfolio | Critical portfolio, individual, 2,000 words equivalent | 70 |
| Group Project | 500 words each | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
5 x individual MCQs (bi-weekly) 5 x group MCQs (bi-weekly) Individual and group mark are combined and averaged Resit for group project is an equivalent piece of individual work
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 7/10/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team