| CODE | GEO2005 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Physical Structure of the Mediterranean | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geography | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit is an analysis of the physical structure of the Mediterranean basin and the eco-geographical processes which shape its climate, vegetation, land, and seas. The course commences with a discussion of the role of Plate Tectonics and sedimentation in shaping the Mediterranean basin. The focus, then shifts to landscape evolution, vegetation structure, and issues related to slope processes. The human impact on this region is also addressed, at this stage, since human occupation has had such a profound effect on the environment of this particular region. The course concludes with a discussion of the unique properties of the Mediterranean marine environment. Study-unit Aims: This course is meant to provide students with a physical geography framework of the Mediterranean which should foster a deeper understanding of the way that this has conditioned human activities in the region. Students will get to appreciate that topography, climate, vegetation, soils, and marine processes interact to produce a unique region which shares many similar characteristics. At the same time they can also recognise several spatial gradients which produce sub-regional variations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: By the end of this course, participating students would be able to identify the main geo-environmental processes that shape the Mediterranean landscape and analyze the linkages between such processes and human activities. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Identify key elements in the Mediterranean landscape 2. Describe the main geographic processes that shape such elements 3. Demonstrate how such elements have conditioned, and continue to shape human activity within the region. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Allen, H. D, (2001) Mediterranean Ecogeography, Pearson Education, Essex UK. – main text for this course. Grove, A.T., Rackham, O., (2001) The Nature of Mediterranean Europe; an ecological history, Yale Univ. Press, New Haven. Woodward J. (2009) The Physical Geography of the Mediterranean, Oxford Regional Environments series. OUP. Oxford. Thornes J. B. And Wainwright J. (2003) Environmental Issues in the Mediterranean (Routledge Studies in Physical Geography and Environment) Routledge. UK. King, R., De Mas, P., and Mansvelt Beck, J., (eds.) (2001) Geography, Environment and Development in the Mediterranean, Sussex Academic Press, Brighton U.K. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Avertano Role' |
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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. |
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