| CODE | EMP1020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | The Mediterranean Basin | ||||||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | ||||||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit examines the distinctive features of the Mediterranean Basin and explores the uniqueness of this region through an examination of its main characteristics. The study-unit discusses the physical environment through an examination of the Basin’s evolution and its climatic characteristics. The key geological and geomorphological features of the Basin are also described. The role of the Mediterranean Basin as a biodiversity hotspot will also be outlined, together with a description of its key ecosystems, communities, plants and animals. In this context, the evolution of the biodiversity of the Maltese Islands will also be described. The development of civilizations in the Mediterranean and the link with resource exploitation will be discussed. The study-unit will also explore how the concept of the Mediterranean (and the related idea of Mediterraneanism) has evolved over time, and will discuss the geographical delimitation of the Mediterranean region. The study-unit will also address present-day demographic and socio-economic trends and their related political implications, as well as contemporary sustainability-related issues which the Mediterranean Basin is facing. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to provide students with: - A greater understanding of and appreciation for the Mediterranean region’s uniqueness; - A deeper knowledge of the key characterizing features of the region, both natural and cultural, and of how these have evolved over time; - Knowledge of how the region has been shaped through the interplay of natural and anthropogenic factors over time, and how this same dynamic has come to define the region today; - A familiarization with the main threats which the Mediterranean is presently facing, with particular reference to issues of sustainability. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Articulate the characteristics that define the Mediterranean region; - Describe the processes involved in the physical evolution of the Mediterranean Basin; - Define the main characteristics of the Mediterranean climate; - Relate aspects of Mediterranean history, demography and culture to the use of resources in the region and to the evolution of the Mediterranean landscape. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognize key characterizing features of the Mediterranean climate; - Identify species that are characteristic of Mediterranean ecosystems; - Critically discuss contemporary issues within the Mediterranean region. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Benoit, G. & Comeau, A., 2005. A Sustainable Future for the Mediterranean - The Blue Plan's Environment and Development Outlook. Earthscan. Illustrated edition. ISBN: 978-184-407-258-3. - King, R., Proudfoot, L. & Smith, B., 1997. The Mediterranean: Environment and Society. Hodder Arnold Publication. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-034-065-281-7. |
||||||||||||||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Attendance to scheduled sessions (lectures, field work, seminar, laboratory sessions and any other teaching session in whatever mode) is obligatory and only students having a satisfactory attendance will be assessed in the study-unit. Students, who do not attend at least 85% of the teaching time allocated to the study-unit, will not be allowed to sit for any of the assessment components mentioned below. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Seminar | ||||||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Angela Bartolo Louis Francis Cassar |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||||||||||||||||