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2020/2021

Coastal Geography

Code: 101626 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
2501002 Geography and Spatial Planning OT 3 0
2501002 Geography and Spatial Planning OT 4 0
The proposed teaching and assessment methodology that appear in the guide may be subject to changes as a result of the restrictions to face-to-face class attendance imposed by the health authorities.

Contact

Name:
Francesc Romagosa Casals
Email:
Francesc.Romagosa@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)
Some groups entirely in English:
No
Some groups entirely in Catalan:
Yes
Some groups entirely in Spanish:
No

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites.

Objectives and Contextualisation

The objective of the course is to provide the basic knowledge so that the student understands the territorial, environmental and social complexity of the coastal areas system and learn to analyze the problems of coastal areas in an integrated and geographical way.
 
The course is divided into three main parts: in the first part, the coastal areas are analyzed - in a geographic sense that is amplified from the physical point of view (formation, dynamics and morphology). The second part analyzes the main ecosystems characteristics from the Mediterranean coast. The third part deals with the relationship between society and coastal areas (uses, impacts, management and planning).
 
A field trip to a stretch of the Catalan coast is included in the course with the objective of seeing in person many of the aspects related to the theory.

Competences

    Geography and Spatial Planning
  • Developing critical thinking and reasoning and communicating them effectively both in your own and other languages.
  • Identifying the spatial relationships on different territorial levels through the relationships between nature and society through time dimension.
  • Mastering the necessary theoretical knowledge in order to pose geographical problems in an integrated way and combining a generalist approach with a specialised analysis.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Contrasting and comparing relevant geographical data.
  2. Distinguishing the spatial relationships on different territorial levels through the relationships between nature and society in the Catalan, Spanish and European spheres. 
  3. Identifying the ideas and expressing them in various languages with linguistic correctness.
  4. Posing problems related to the main geographical proposals of division of the World.

Content

1st part: Introduction to the coastal areas
 
  1. The coastal areas system
  2. The formation and evolution of the coast
  3. The coastal dynamics
  3. The morphology of the coast
 
2nd part: Ecosystems and Coastal Formations
 
  1. Submerged ecosystems
  2. Cliffs
  3. Beaches and dune systems
  4. Deltas and estuaries
  5. Coastal wetlands
 
3rd part: Coastal areas and society
 
  1. Human activities and impact on the coast
  2. Coastal tourism
  3. Fishing
  4. Legislation and administration on the coast
  5. Coastal areas and sustainability: environmental quality on the coast
  6. Integrated coastal zone management

Methodology

The contents of the course will be developed through the following activities:
 
- Follow-up of the topics covered in the course (reading and study of the documents that make up the course's materials).
 
- Read books and articles as a complement to the materials.
 
- Field trip of compulsory character, that will complement the theoretical knowledge of the course's materials and will be the basis of a practical work.
 
- Elaboration of two practical works or assignments, with the tutoring of the professor.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Classroom activities 42 1.68 1, 2, 3, 4
Field trip 8 0.32 1, 2, 3
Type: Supervised      
Tutorials 5 0.2 1, 2, 3
Type: Autonomous      
Autonomous work 50 2 1, 2, 3
Study 42 1.68 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment

The continuous assessment of the course will consist of:
 
1) The realization of two partial exams that will evaluate the theoretical knowledge corresponding to the three thematic parts of the course (they will be able to be retaken at the final exam if they have not obtained a grade higher than 4 out of 10); and
 
2) The elaboration of two practical assignaments, both related to course's theory and to the field trip.
 
 
In the case that the student does not make the final exam, the final grade of the subject will be a No Valued.

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

In the event that tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Assignment 1 25 % 0 0 1, 2, 3
Assignment 2 25 % 0 0 1, 2, 3
Final exam 25 % 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 3, 4
Second partial exam 25 % 1.5 0.06 1, 2, 3, 4

Bibliography

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-       BARRAGÁN, J.M. (2003). Medio ambiente y desarrollo en áreas litorales: introducción a la planificación y gestión integradas. Cádiz: Universidad de Cádiz.

-       BARRAGÁN, J.M. (2004). Las áreas litorales de España. Del análisis geográfico a la gestión integrada. Barcelona: Ariel.

-       BARRAGÁN, J.M.; BORJA, F. (2011). "Litorales". A: Evaluación de los ecosistemas del milenio de España. Conservación de los servicios de los ecosistemas y la biodiversidad para el bienestar humano. Madrid: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino - Fundación Biodiversidad: 673-739.

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-       MORENO, I. (2007). Manejo integral costero. Por una costa más ecológica, productiva y sostenible. Palma de Mallorca: Universitat de les Illes Balears.

-       NONN, H. (1987). Geografía de los litorales. Madrid: Akal.

-       PARPAL, N. (1996). "Un passeig pel litoral". El sistema litoral. Un equilibri sostenible? Quaderns d'Ecologia Aplicada, 13: 245-289. Barcelona: Diputació de Barcelona.

-       PASKOFF, R. (1994). Les littoraux. Impact des aménagements sur leur évolution. Paris: Masson.

-       PINTÓ, J. (2005). "El paisatge litoral". Espais, 50: 66-77.

-       PINTÓ, J.; GARCIA-LOZANO, C.; ROIG-MUNAR, X. (2018). "L'espai litoral". Natura: Ús o abús?. Barcelona: Institut d'Estudis Catalans.

-       ROMAGOSA, F. (2000). Zones humides, societat i medi ambient. Les zones humides de Catalunya. Bellaterra: Servei de Publicacions de la UAB.

-       ROMAGOSA, F. (ed.) (2016). La governança i la gestió integrada del litoral a Catalunya. Bellaterra: Grup de Recerca Interfase, UAB.

-       ROS, J. (2001). Vora el mar broix. Problemàtica ambiental del litoral mediterrani. Barcelona: Empúries.

-       ROS, J.; SERRA, J. (1996). "Ecosistemes i dinàmica litoral". El sistema litoral. Un equilibri sostenible? Quaderns d'Ecologia Aplicada, 13: 5-43.

-       ROSSELLÓ, V.M. i altres (1998). Manual de geografia física. València: Universitat de València.

-       SALVÀ TOMÀS, P. (1992). "La Mar Catalana". A: CARRERAS, C. (dir.). Geografia General dels Països Catalans. Barcelona: Enciclopèdia Catalana. Vol. 1: El clima i el relleu: 111-160.

-       SANJAUME, E. (1992). "Lescostes". A: CARRERAS, C. (dir.). Geografia General dels Països Catalans. Barcelona: Enciclopèdia Catalana. Vol. 1: El clima i el relleu: 161-211.

-       STRAHLER, A.N.; STRAHLER, A.H. (1989). Geografía física. Barcelona: Omega.

-       SCHEFFERS, A.M.; SCHEFFERS, S.R.; KELLETAT, D.H. (2012). The coastlines of the world with Google Earth. Dordrecht: Springer.

-       SUÁREZ DE VIVERO, J.L. (2001). Los océanos. Medio ambiente, recursos y políticas marinas. Barcelona: Ed. del Serbal.

-       TARBUCK, E.J.; LUTGENS, F.K. (1999). Ciencias de la Tierra. Una introducción a la geología física. Madrid: Prentice Hall.