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SX1504: NATURAL WORLD (2017-2018)

Last modified: 25 May 2018 11:16


Course Overview

This course invites students to explore the natural world from different disciplinary perspectives.  Students engage with knowledge and theory as well as personal explorations outdoors.  The course focuses on knowledge, experiences, interpretations and feelings about the natural world.

Delivery: lectures, individual exploration of natural/urban environments, group discussions and field trips.  Sessions include: attitudes to nature, observing and exploring the natural world, interpreting the natural world, spirituality and well-being, nature in film, valuing nature.

Students do three field trips (from a choice of several).  As part of their experience and skills-building, students are required to keep a nature journal.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Martin Barker
  • Dr Laura Colucci-Gray

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 1 or Programme Level 2

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Students will be encouraged to reflect upon their own appreciation of the natural world through thematic study. During the course, students will deepen their personal understanding of nature and may then be able to apply a more nuanced understanding of nature in both their own direct experiences and academic development.

This course is capped at 120 students per academic year.

Associated Costs

There are no required additional costs incurred by students attending this course. Please note however that students are expected to source basic stationary items and/or other suitable materials for the preparation and submission of one of the assessments. Students are free to choose the type of materials they wish to use and make appropriate considerations about cost.

In addition, students are expected to wear appropriate waterproof clothing and footwear for attendance to field trips and outdoor sessions. Such provision should not exceed normal winter clothing that can be worn for everyday use.

One optional field trip has an overnight component. Students who choose this field trip will be asked to contribute £6 towards the associated costs.

Further Information & Notes

This course is only available to students registered in Programme Years 1 and 2.

Attendance at Sixth Century courses is compulsory. Students who do not attend most/all classes are likely to fail the course.

This course is only available to students registered in Programme Years 1 and 2.

Attendance at Sixth Century courses is compulsory. Students who do not attend most/all classes are likely fail the course.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: In-course assessment (100%) based on submission of a nature journal (equal to 50% of the overall mark) and a piece of reflective writing (equal to 50% of the overall mark).   The reflective account will take the form of an academic piece of writing.

Formative Assessment

 

Students will participate in a range of formative exercises (seminars) based on each theme. These are not formally assessment, but each student’s participation contributes directly to both of their coursework assessments.

Feedback

Students will be given personalised verbal feedback during group and individual sessions. Written feedback will be given on the summative assessments.

Participation in the formative exercises will be monitored. Support and feed-back will be ongoing with dedicated assessment clinics scheduled in the period before submission. Students who appear to be experiencing difficulty will be identified and invited to discuss solutions with members of the teaching staff

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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