| CODE | EMP1006 | |||||||||
| TITLE | The Mediterranean Basin: A Regional Perspective | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit examines the distinctive characteristics of the Mediterranean basin and explores the uniqueness of this region through an examination of its main features and its major socio-economic and environmental issues. The unit discusses the physical environment through an examination of the Basin’s evolution, its climatic characteristics and its semi-natural, coastal and marine environments. The key geological and geomorphological features of the Basin will be described. The role of the Mediterranean Basin as a biodiversity hotspot will also be outlined, together with a description of its key ecosystems, communities, plants and animals. Social considerations of the Mediterranean are discussed through an examination of its history, demography, and culture, and through the presentation of anthropological perspectives on Mediterranean societies. The development of civilizations in the Mediterranean, and the link with resource exploitation will be outlined. The study unit will also explore how the concept of the Mediterranean (and the related idea of Mediterraneanism) has evolved over time, and will discuss the geographical delimitation of the Mediterranean region. The role of tangible and intangible landscape in creating the ethos of the Mediterranean will also be explored. The unit will also address present-day economic tensions and political conflicts between northern and southern shores of the Basin. Finally, the unit will discuss some of the main contemporary issues which the Mediterranean Basin is facing, with specific reference to sustainability concerns. Study-unit Aims: The main aim of this study-unit is to provide students with: - a greater understanding of and appreciation for, the Mediterranean region’s natural and social assets; - a deeper knowledge of the key characterizing features of the region, both natural and cultural, and of how these have evolved over time; - knowledge of how the region has been shaped through the interplay of natural and anthropogenic factors over time, and how this same dynamic has come to define the region today; - a familiarization with the main threats which the Mediterranean is presently facing, with particular reference to issues of sustainability. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Articulate the characteristics that define the Mediterranean region; b. Describe the processes involved in the physical evolution of the Mediterranean Basin; c. Define the main characteristics of the Mediterranean climate; d. Describe the Mediterranean’s coastal and marine environment and its value to the region; e. Relate aspects of Mediterranean history, demography and culture to the Mediterranean character; f. Illustrate knowledge of major socio-economic and environmental issues within the Mediterranean Region; g. Elaborate on major socio-economic and environmental issues of concern to the Mediterranean within a regional perspective. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Appraise the uniqueness of the Mediterranean region as a consequence of its characteristics and evolution; b. Assess the relevance to the natural environment and societies of differences in climate across the Mediterranean region; c. Evaluate the relevance of Mediterranean history, demography and culture to current societies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - King, R., Proudfoot, L. & Smith, B., 1997. The Mediterranean: Environment and Society. Hodder Arnold Publication. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-034-065-281-7. - Benoit, G. & Comeau, A., 2005. A Sustainable Future for the Mediterranean - The Blue Plan's Environment and Development Outlook. Earthscan. Illustrated edition. ISBN: 978-184-407-258-3. Supplementary Texts: - Allen, H. D., 2001. Mediterranean Ecogeography. Prentice Hall. 1st Edition. ISBN: 0-582-40452-5. - Blondel, J., Aronson, J., Bodiou, J. & Bouef, G., 2010. The Mediterranean Region: Biological Diversity in Space and Time. Oxford University Press. 2nd Edition. ISBN: 978-019-955-799-8. - Grenon, M. & Batisse, M., 1989. Futures for the Mediterranean Basin: The Blue Plan. Oxford University Press. 1st Edition. ISBN: 978-019-823-312-1. - King, R., De Mas, Paolo, Mansvelt Beck, Jan, (eds.), 2001. Geography, environment and development in the Mediterranean. Sussex Academic Print. ISBN: 1-898-723-90-7. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | An Intermediate Level pass at grade C or better is required in at least one of the following subjects: Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Geography or Sociology. | |||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Louis Francis Cassar Elisabeth-Frances Cremona Timothy Gambin Anthony Stephen Micallef (Co-ord.) |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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