Module Identifier RD10720  
Module Title PEOPLE AND THE COUNTRYSIDE  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Mr Ian P Keirle  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Ioan Fazey, Mr David R Powell  
Course delivery Lecture   3 x 1 hour lectures per week  
  Other   2 x 3 hour workshops  
  Other   2 x 3 hour visits  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Assignment Outcomes assessed: 1, 2  50%
Semester Exam1.5 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3  50%
Supplementary Assessment Candidates will be required to re-take the element(s) of assessment that resulted in failure of the module  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Outcome 1
Identify and describe the systems and processes by which the countryside is governed
Performance criteria
a. Roles and responsibilities of national and local government and supporting agencies are correctly identified
b. Roles and responsibilities of different NGOs are correctly identified
c. Appropriate policies and modes of implementation are identified for given organisations
d. Mechanisms for influence policy for the countryside are described.
Ranges
Organisations - National and local Govenment and supporting Agencies. NGOs to include charities and pressure groups
Implementation methods - Laws, Grants, Designations, Incentives, Guidance, Controls, Agreements
Mechanisms for influencing policy - pressure, research.

Outcome 2   
Identify and explain the contemporary rural issues as they impact upon the countryside.
Performance criteria
a. Identify and explain the issues affecting rural communities
b. Identify and explain the impacts of recreation and tourism on rural areas
c. Explain how community, recreation and tourism issues have changed over time
Ranges
Rural Communities: Definition of communities, community change, services,
Recreation and tourism: Definitions of recreation and tourism, nature of recreation and tourism, positive and negative impacts of recreation and tourism.
Change: Changes in population, community make up, services, recreation and tourism

Outcome 3   
Select and apply suitable techniques to survey the rural resource.
Performance criteria
a. Demonstrate a knowledge of the function of sampling and sampling techniques
b. Techniques for surveying the rural resource are identified.
Ranges
Sampling: purpose of sampling, sample size, methods of sampling
Survey techniques: sources of data, questionnaires, observation, counts, focus groups, in depth interviews, key informants.

Aims

This module aims to introduce the student to the contemporary social issues that affect the countryside, the organisations involved in the management of the countryside and the systems and processes by which it is governed and regulated. Contemporary issues include the concept of community and the issues that affect communities, the nature and impacts of recreation and tourism in rural areas and social exclusion. Organisations that will be considered as part of this module range from Government, Government departments and agencies, local authorities, the voluntary sector and pressure groups.   The role and function of the law and its impact on governance will also feature as a theme. The module considers the methodological approaches that can be taken to surveying the rural resource. The nature of the subject matter demands an integrated approach and the module seeks to make linkages between issues, organisations and governance.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
Developed through the assignment

.2 IT and information handling
Developed through the assignment

.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
Lectures will contain a variety of numeric information about contemporary rural issues.

.4 Writing in an academic context
Developed through the assignment.
Common skill: 18

.5 Oral discussion and presentation
Oral discussion will be encouraged throughout the module. The assignment may include a role play.
Common skill: 11

.6 Careers need awareness
This module will be very helpful in developing an awareness of the organisations that operated within the countryside.

.7 Self-management
Developed through the assignment.

.8 Group activity
May be addressed within the assignment.

Module Skills

Communication Oral discussion will be encouraged throughout the module  
Improving own Learning and Performance Developed through the assignment  
Team work May be addressed within the assignment and through group work in classes  
Information Technology Developed through the assignment - searching for information in the library and on the web. Word processing of assignment  
Application of Number Lectures will contain a variety of numeric information about contemporary rural issues  
Personal Development and Career planning This module will be very helpful in developing an awareness of the organisations that operate within the countryside.  

Reading Lists

Books
** General Text
Cabinet office (2000) Sharing the Nation's prosperity: Economic, Social and Environmental conditions of the countryside Cabinet Office, London
Department of the Environment (1995) Rural England: a nation committed to a living countryside Department of the Environment
Derounian J (1993) Another Country: Real life Beyond Rose Cottage
Dwyer J, and Hodge, I (1994) Countryside in Trust: Land management by conservation, recreation and amenity organisations Wiley
Glyptis S (1991) Countryside recreation Longman
Newby H (1985) Green and Pleasant Land
Rawcliffe, P (1998) Environmental pressure groups in transition Manchester University Press
Sharpley, R (2002) Tourism and leisure in the countryside Elm Publications

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4