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TI 219 Environment and Landforms

Lecturer(s):               Dr. J. McDonagh  
e-mail:                      john.mcdonaghnuigalway.ie         
Office:                       Room 122 
Office Hours:             Listed on door
Lectures:                   Mon 10-11 AC213; Mon 1-2 Charles McMunn   

Interactive Map      

Course Description

This course provides a broad but critical understanding of the principles, processes and practices of protected area management on a local and global scale. The primary focus of the course is on the management, policy and governance issues that challenge the integrity of protected areas in various global settings. Using national and international case studies - the course will explore the interlinked dynamics of conservation, tourism, social justice and the diverse political ecologies involved in protected area management. Throughout the course, the intent is to help students develop an understanding of the linkages between policy, planning and management across a range of protected area settings (e.g. World Heritage Sites; National Parks; nature reserves; cultural landscapes).  Students will be exposed to the art, science, and political realities that factor into the decision making process of establishing and managing protected areas. These historical, ecological and human dimensions of management will be explored within the wider context of global environmental and cultural sustainability.

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Course Structure

This course will address the following topics:

• Environmentalism; conservation; history of protected areas
• IUCN protected area management categories
• UNESCO World Heritage
• Social and political context of threats to protected areas
• Sustainability and sustainable tourism development
• Protected area governance 
• Collaborative tourism planning and the politics of participation 
• The role for public participation in natural resources management 
•  Multi-stakeholder collaboration processes and environment conflict resolution
• Managing the multiple use of and pressure on, protected areas 
•  Heritage interpretation for tourism
• The Irish approach to planning – social justice and conservation
• Case studies include: Yosemite/Yellowstone National Park; Mullaghmore; Cliffs of  
    Moher; ’Shell to Sea’ and the Hill of Tara M3 motorway conflict

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Course objectives

• To understand the basic principles of managing human use in protected areas;
• To demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the definitions, terminology, concepts
     and practices of protected area management and its relationship with tourism;
• To identify, and analyse the cultural, social, economic, political and community
     implications of protected area management;
• To examine the relationships between politics, decision-making structures and
     science in protected area management;
• To learn how legislations, regulations and policies relating to heritage planning
     can support or hinder conservation projects;
• To understand what public participation and collaborative planning really mean
     and imply in terms of protected area management;
• To improve students’ critical and analytical skills; 
• To allow students the opportunity to link theoretical observations with practical
     examples
  

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Method of Assessment

The assessment for this course will take three forms: Examination; Individual Essay and Fieldwork/Other Report. The emphasis will be on quality and originality rather than quantity.

1. Examination - 2 hrs - answer 2 questions (60%)
2. Essay - individual - 2,000 words approx. (30%)
3. Fieldwork Report / alternative exercise – (this will be group work) 750 words  
    approx(10%)             

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Fieldtrip

The fieldtrip is non-compulsory and will only go ahead if numbers permit – (a fee will be charged to help with costs of buses etc.). Students will have the option of choosing an alternative desk-based piece of work if they do not wish to go on the fieldtrip. 

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Method of Delivery

The delivery of the course will reflect the relative weightings of each assessment with time devoted for the most part to formal lectures, but also time given to discussion periods; essay and fieldwork preparation and article reviews (when appropriate).

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Readings

Key texts for this course will involve a diverse selection of book chapters and journal articles which will be used to expand students thinking and challenge their preconceptions. Each lecture will have mandatory and optional reading which will be posted on Blackboard.

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Further Details

Further details for the course are available on the relevant Blackboard site.

    

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