Module DXX-3004:
Settlement Systems

Run by School of Natural Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Ms Sian Pierce

The module examines the main forces which have shaped sustainable rural and urban communities and settlements , mediating the places and spaces in between these. . Contrasting and inter-disciplinary interpretations focus on the geographical, social, political, historical, cultural and economic features of areas described as rural and urban and consider the significance of and future implications for policy making. Field work will focus on fostering a critical understanding of a range of issues relating to the restructuring of rural and urban settlements and community responses to the processes of globalisation and challenges of sustainability. The examined task will develop team based skills and consultancy- type project management and planning with a real-world action research context

The module will contain the following: • • Sustainable Rural and Urban communities e.g. Eco-villages • Time perspective, change and development- settlement and communities e.g. for “ post-productivist rural and post modern cities” • Rural and urban Land Uses, Designations and Conservation • Globalisation, Economic Restructuring and settlement dynamics, regeneration e.g. gentrification and studentification • Community development initiatives from urban and rural environments • Future Directions for Urban and Rural Policy e.g. Brexit and the rural economy • Contemporary issues

threshold

1. No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information / skills
2. Some grasp of theoretical conceptual practical elements
3. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed works' objectives. This translates to Satisfactory Standard Pass : D- to D+

good

1. Much or most of the relevant information and skills accurately deployed
2. Good/adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements
3. Good/fair integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed works' objectives.
4. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills This translates to Average to High Standard Pass : C- to B+

excellent

1. An outstanding performance, exceptionally able
2. The relevant information accurately deployed
3. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements
4. Very good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.
5. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills This translates to Excellent Standard: A- to A**

1. Demonstrate and synthesize the geographical, social, political, historical, cultural and economic features of sustainable rural and urban communities and settlements

2. Using global examples, demonstrate an awareness of contrasting and inter- disciplinary interpretations of urban and rural communities and settlements in space and the main drivers shaping them.

3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of issues relating to the restructuring of rural and urban settlements and community responses to the processes of globalisation and challenges of sustainability.

4. Develop a range of skills in researching, presenting, writing and disseminating information about contemporary aspects of rural and urban living.

5. Assess the signficance of policy making, the work of agencies(e.g. public, third and private sectors) in the sustainable functioning of these communities.

6. Understand the basic principles and processes of community development, stagnation and regeneration to build capital and resilience within sustainable communities.

7. Demonstrate and synthesize theoretical concepts within field based learning situations and also assimilate real world information to reinforce theoretical learning.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Essay (Semester 1)		30
	CONSULTANCY - TYPE REPORT		20
	Examination		40
	Group presentation to community group on day of field visit		10

		Hours
Lecture	18*2 hour lectures	36
Fieldwork	2*8 hour field visits	16
Workshop	2*4 hour workshops	8
Private study	Private and guided self-study	140

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

• Conduct fieldwork and/or laboratory work competently with awareness of appropriate risk assessment and ethical considerations
• Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
• Awareness of the concepts of spatial and temporal scale in understanding processes and relationships.
• Appreciation of the reciprocal nature of human-environmental relationships.
• Apply appropriate techniques for presenting spatial and/or temporal trends in data.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/dxx-3004.html

Pre-requisites:

• DXX-1004: Human Geography
• DXX-2000: GIS & Research Methods

Compulsory in courses:

• L700: BA Geography year 3 (BA/GEOG)
• L701: BA Geography (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/GEOGIE)
• F801: MGeog Geography year 3 (MGEOG/G)
• F805: MGeog Geography with International Experience year 4 (MGEOG/GIE)