GEOG41030: UNDERSTANDING RISK

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• The module aims to provide an overview of key risk theories and concepts related to processes in physical and socio-political environments. The approach adopted is an interdisciplinary one designed to allow students to critically reflect upon the complementarity of physical and social science approaches to developing an integrated understanding of risk.

• Hazard and Risk: basic definitions, concepts and theories/frameworks used to conceptualise, analyse and communicate risk
• Understanding the determinants of risk: understanding causal pathways
• Understanding social inequalities of risk: inequality of exposure, vulnerability and resilience
• Interventions to manage, prevent or mitigate risks to human populations.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• 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.

Subject-specific Skills:

• 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 can be tested empirically using different approaches to formulate a sound conceptual framework for research, supporting a subsequent masters level dissertation focused on a specific aspect of risk to human populations.

Key Skills:

• The ability to debate ideas, while recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
• Critically reflect upon concepts and challenge conventional wisdom
• Written communication

• The module will be divided into two blocks, with one block per term.
• Each block will have four lectures, two tutorials and a seminar. The module begins with an additional seminar at the start of term 1.
• The lectures will introduce the course material and/or will involve discussion on the basis of (a) pre-set readings and other resources (e.g. videos and online materials), and (b) discussion of themes introduced in the lectures.
• The tutorials and seminars will interleave with the block's lectures with the aim to consolidate learning from that block. The tutorials will also provide a forum for the module's formative assessment.
• Summative assessment for the module is split between Terms 1 and 2. The assessment at the end of Term 1 will comprise a visual poster (50% of overall assessment) and the assessment at the end of Term 2 will comprise an essay assignment (50% of overall assessment) to address conceptual frameworks and debates with reference to chosen case studies.

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