Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE LAS1003

 
TITLE Patterns in Human Geography: The Maltese Scenario

 
UM LEVEL I - Introductory Level

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences

 
DESCRIPTION This Unit deals with the Human Geography of the Maltese Islands. Settlement patterns to reflect the population growth of Malta and Gozo will be discussed in the light of changing socio-economic scenarios. This includes an examination of the main economic indicators and future options. The contribution of walled towns to the cultural set-up of Malta and the importance of the maritime industries conclude the unit.

The Unit aims to:
- Examine the role of the colonisation of Malta within the ambit of population enumeration and settlement;
- Define the role of the changing economic structures;
- Explain the importance of the maritime industry to Malta;
- Discuss economic activities and related services;
- Provide comprehensive knowledge on how the geographies of social, material and economic neighbourhood processes operate within a Maltese context.


1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:
- Explain the concept of space and place in the context of island communities;
- Place Malta within the context of the demographic variables of other Mediterranean islands;
- Link the terrestrial and maritime geographies through the transport network;
- Demonstrate the relationship between people and place in Maltese neighbourhood communities.

2. Skills:

By the end of the Unit the student will be able to:
- Distinguish between islands located in strategic waterways and others that are not;
- Differentiate between the dependence of localities on tourism and others whose employment structure is based on other services;
- Identify the importance and difficulties generated as a result of high population densities;
- Apply skills in the field;
- Report from the field on how the neighbourhood impacts on its inhabitants and vice versa.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Attard, M. and Hall, D. 2003. ‘Public transport modernisation and adjustment to EU accession requirements: the case of Malta's buses’, Journal of Transport Geography, 11, 13-24.
- Attard, M. and Schembri, J.A. 1999. ‘The role of transport in urban environments’, Proceedings for the International Seminar on Atmospheric Pollution, Mgarr, Gozo, University of Malta Press.
- Schembri, J.A. 2000. ‘The changing geography of population and settlement in the Maltese Islands’, in Vella, C. (Ed.) The Maltese Islands on the Move. A Mosaic of Contributions Marking Malta’s Entry into the 21st Century. NSO, Malta.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Fieldwork

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Deborah Pizzuto
Bernadine Satariano
John A. Schembri (Co-ord.)

 

 
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.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit