Belgium geography (field course + project)

lgeo1381  2020-2021  Louvain-la-Neuve

Belgium geography (field course + project)
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information below is subject to change, in particular that concerning the teaching mode (presential, distance or in a comodal or hybrid format).
5 credits
60.0 h + 60.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Vanacker Veerle;
Language
French
Prerequisites

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Content
The central theme of this course on the "geography of Belgium" is the interaction between humans and their environment. The course aims to observe the spatial organisation of the landscape, to explain the observed patterns and compare them with theoretical models on landscape structure. Different geographical regions will be visited: Pays de Herve, Fagnes, Haute Ardenne, and the Belgian coast.
Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The course is organised in four parts
1. Research project in small groups on a relevant environmental problem, that covers different aspects of geography (physical, human and environmental aspects). Based on a review of the literature, the group needs to define and elaborate a research question that is relevant for one (of more) of the geographic regions that we will visit during the excursion. During 10 weeks, the groups will work on their research project; and discuss progress and pitfalls during weekly meeting with the teachers.
2. Writing of final scientific report that is conceived as a small research paper.
3. Excursion in Belgium. During 5 days, we will visit 4 geographic regions and analyse human-environment interactions. We will use different teaching techniques, and include field monitoring and measurement techniques.
4. Oral communication. During the excursion, the groups will present a synthesis of their work to their peers and the teachers.
Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The skills and competences that will be learned:
  • Capacity to apply different geographic tools for field observation and data collection
  • Capacity to read and understand geographic patterns, and the different components of a landscape
Also, the students will learn how to
  • formulate a research question on a relevant environmental problem
  • work efficiently in group on a common project
  • estimate the time and resources necessary to complete a research project
  • synthetise the main results in a scientific report
The evaluation of the course will be based on
  • individual participation in group work and weekly group meetings
  • final report, the quality of the research project and its documentation, and the presentation of the final results during the excursion
  • active participation in the daily activities and debates during the excursion
Other information
This activity is accessible to students who do not speak French.
Online resources
 
https://moodleucl.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=8000
Bibliography
Demoulin, A. (2018). Landscapes and Landforms of Belgium and Luxembourg. Cham Springer International Publishing.
Livre électronique (eBook). e-ISBN:  9783319582399.
Disponible via DIAL : http://hdl.handle.net/2078/ebook:123606
Teaching materials
  • Matériel bibliographique sur moodle
Faculty or entity
GEOG


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in Geography : General