Teacher(s)
Language
French
> English-friendly
> English-friendly
Prerequisites
It is necessary to have passed succesfully the courses on « elements of human geography (LGEO1221) » and « elements of physical geography (LGEO1231) » or equivalent courses in geography. Exchange students need to contact the lecturers before the start of the semester as to guarantee a place for the 5-day excursion. For the realisation of the research project, basic knowledge of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is required.
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.
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.
Main themes
This course is an integrated project on human-environment interactions, and aims to introduce pertinent geographic questions related natural resource management in 4 Belgian regions (Pays de Herve, Fagnes, Ardennes, and Belgian coast).
Learning outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to : | |
| 1 | The competences that will be developed in this course are :
|
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.
Teaching methods
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). During the year 2024-2025, the transversal theme is: "Flooding risks in Belgium in a context of global change". 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. During the practical exercises, the groups will analyse the landscape using historical maps, digital terrain models and environmental data in a GIS environment.
2. Writing of final scientific report that is conceived as a small research paper.
3. Excursion in Belgium. During 3 days, we will visit different 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, an active participation in the field activities and discussions is required.
1. Research project in small groups on a relevant environmental problem, that covers different aspects of geography (physical, human and environmental aspects). During the year 2024-2025, the transversal theme is: "Flooding risks in Belgium in a context of global change". 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. During the practical exercises, the groups will analyse the landscape using historical maps, digital terrain models and environmental data in a GIS environment.
2. Writing of final scientific report that is conceived as a small research paper.
3. Excursion in Belgium. During 3 days, we will visit different 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, an active participation in the field activities and discussions is required.
Evaluation methods
The evaluation of the course will be based on
- individual participation in group work and practical sessions
- intermediate results submitted for evaluation such as maps, tables, literature review
- final report, the quality of the research project and its documentation, and the presentation of the final results during the excursion
- presentation and constructive active participation during the practical sessions and scientific debates during the excursions
- fieldbook including sketches and notes made during the excursions, sorted and cleaned up and handed back to the teachers within a week of the excursion. This stands as the report.
Other information
The participation to the practical exercises and field excursion is mandatory. These are organized only once during an academic year. It is impossible to redo them in the second session.
Prerequisites:
LGEO1221 Elements of human geography; LGEO1231 Elements of physical geography, or equivalent courses taken by students in mobility. For the realisation of the research project, notions in geographical information systems (GIS) and cartography are necessary.
This activity is accessible to students who do not speak French.
Student in mobility need to contact the teacher(s) before the start of the semester to verify if they can participate in the excursion.
Prerequisites:
LGEO1221 Elements of human geography; LGEO1231 Elements of physical geography, or equivalent courses taken by students in mobility. For the realisation of the research project, notions in geographical information systems (GIS) and cartography are necessary.
This activity is accessible to students who do not speak French.
Student in mobility need to contact the teacher(s) before the start of the semester to verify if they can participate in the excursion.
Online resources
sur Moodle
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
- Slides des cours et exercises disponible sur le site moodle du cours
Faculty or entity
