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Students must take 80–90 credits (MA pathway) or 60–70 credits (MSc pathway) of optional modules. For both MA and MSc pathways, at least 20 credits must be from the “list of prescribed optional modules” given below, and the other credits may come from the “other optional modules” list.
Please note that the above programme structure is subject to formal approval.
Disasters, Adaptation & Development
|MA/MSc
|Part Time, Full Time
| Admissions status: OpenSTRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
Core module (MA & MSc pathway: 60 credits):- 7SSG5164 Dissertation in Disasters, Adaptation and Development (60 credits) (must Take and Pass)
Compulsory modules (MA & MSc pathway: 40 credits):
- 7SSG5002 Practising Social Research (20 credits)
- 7SSG5149 Disasters and Development (20 credits)
Compulsory module (MSc pathway: 20 credits):
- 7SSG5150 Advanced Quantitative and Spatial Methods in Human Geography (20 credits)
Indicative non-core content
Optional modules (MA pathway: 80–90 credits; MSc pathway: 60–70 credits):Students must take 80–90 credits (MA pathway) or 60–70 credits (MSc pathway) of optional modules. For both MA and MSc pathways, at least 20 credits must be from the “list of prescribed optional modules” given below, and the other credits may come from the “other optional modules” list.
List of Prescribed Optional Modules Specific to this Programme:
- 7SSG5070 Environmental Internship (20 credits)
- 7SSG5104 Water Resources and Water Policy (20 credits)
- 7SSG5107 Environment, Livelihoods and Development in the ‘South’ (20 credits)
- 7SSG5109 Environmental GIS (20 credits)
- 7SSG5119 Risk Governance (20 credits)
- 7SSG5153 Critical Geographies of Terrorism (20 credits)
- 7SSG5168 Community, Vulnerability and Disaster Risk (20 credits) (Prerequisite: 7SSG5149 Disasters and Development, either through taking the module fully or through auditing)
Other Optional Modules Available to Students on this Programme:
- Any Level 7 (Masters) modules offered in the Geography Department, including from the list of prescribed optional modules given above. Please click here for a full list of the modules offered in the 2013/14 academic year.
- Up to 20 credits of Level 7 modules from any KCL Departments or Institutes outside of Geography.
Please note that the above programme structure is subject to formal approval.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Specialist taught modules assessed mainly by written coursework, oral presentations, lab work and practical sessions. The three-month written dissertation is compulsory and is based upon work conducted overseas or in the UK.MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7SSG5149
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module aims to provide students with training in critical social science with which to examine the causes of natural disaster associated with climate change and other extreme events and the ways in which natural disaster risk and recovery are managed. The module exposes students to vulnerability and capacity assessment methodologies, and management approaches including community based risk management. There is a particular, but not exclusive focus on Africa, Asia and Latin America. Theoretically the module draws from the political ecology of disaster and hazardscapes work.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module aims to provide students with training in critical social science with which to examine the causes of natural disaster associated with climate change and other extreme events and the ways in which natural disaster risk and recovery are managed. The module exposes students to vulnerability and capacity assessment methodologies, and management approaches including community based risk management. There is a particular, but not exclusive focus on Africa, Asia and Latin America. Theoretically the module draws from the political ecology of disaster and hazardscapes work.
Module code: 7SSG5002
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module enables students to derive a greater understanding of the relationship between methodology and method and the related notions of epistemology and ontology. The module is a mix of lectures and tutorials and enables students to develop skills in the appropriate use and application of quantitative and qualitative methods, which will have been worked through in tutorial sessions. The module lays the conceptual groundwork for the design of the dissertation and enables students to appreciate the connections between epistemology and the students particular programme of study.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module enables students to derive a greater understanding of the relationship between methodology and method and the related notions of epistemology and ontology. The module is a mix of lectures and tutorials and enables students to develop skills in the appropriate use and application of quantitative and qualitative methods, which will have been worked through in tutorial sessions. The module lays the conceptual groundwork for the design of the dissertation and enables students to appreciate the connections between epistemology and the students particular programme of study.
Module code: 7SSG5150
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
This module is designed to cultivate in students an appreciation of, and degree of comfort with, key statistical methods used in human geography research. Moving from basic summary statistics, the course will examine standard aspatial measures and, ultimately, weighted spatial statistics. The course does not require recent mathematical study, but it is expected that enrolled students will have a passing familiarity with mathematical notation and will have some basic level of comfort working with tabular data and numbers. The module is structured as a combination of lectures and practicals in a computer lab; the aim is to introduce a set of related statistical concepts and then apply them to the study of small area data taken from the Census and/or Business Registry & Employment Survey. Ultimately, it is expected that students will be working in Excel, SPSS, and ArcGIS to develop an analysis of fine-scale demographic change between 2001 and 2011 across the Greater London Authority area.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
This module is designed to cultivate in students an appreciation of, and degree of comfort with, key statistical methods used in human geography research. Moving from basic summary statistics, the course will examine standard aspatial measures and, ultimately, weighted spatial statistics. The course does not require recent mathematical study, but it is expected that enrolled students will have a passing familiarity with mathematical notation and will have some basic level of comfort working with tabular data and numbers. The module is structured as a combination of lectures and practicals in a computer lab; the aim is to introduce a set of related statistical concepts and then apply them to the study of small area data taken from the Census and/or Business Registry & Employment Survey. Ultimately, it is expected that students will be working in Excel, SPSS, and ArcGIS to develop an analysis of fine-scale demographic change between 2001 and 2011 across the Greater London Authority area.
Module code: 7SSG5168
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
This module aims to enable students to understand the social construction of vulnerability to natural hazards at the micro level; appreciate the theoretical and empirical links between the reduction of disaster risk at micro level and issues of development at the local and international scale; facilitate understanding by students of the linkages between household and individual vulnerability and livelihoods in the local and macro economy; develop a critical awareness of the role of development failures in local patterns of human vulnerability and disaster risk and encourage critical reflection on the management of disasters through humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction approaches, especially the linkages between scales.
Prerequisite: 7SSG5149 Disasters and Development, either through taking the module fully or through auditing.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
This module aims to enable students to understand the social construction of vulnerability to natural hazards at the micro level; appreciate the theoretical and empirical links between the reduction of disaster risk at micro level and issues of development at the local and international scale; facilitate understanding by students of the linkages between household and individual vulnerability and livelihoods in the local and macro economy; develop a critical awareness of the role of development failures in local patterns of human vulnerability and disaster risk and encourage critical reflection on the management of disasters through humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction approaches, especially the linkages between scales.
Prerequisite: 7SSG5149 Disasters and Development, either through taking the module fully or through auditing.
Module code: 7SSG5153
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
The aim of this module is to provide students with an appreciation of the theoretical and empirical links between geographical theories and insights and the phenomena of terrorism; facilitiate understanding by students of the spatiality of the phenomena of terrorism and geographical perspectives on understanding the root causes of terrorism; enable students to develop a critical awareness of the role of spatial organisation, spatial strategies of power and spatial discourses in influencing the pattern of terrorism by state and non-state actors and encourage critical reflection on counter terrorism approaches and how might strategic interventions at the discursive and policy level, help reduce vulnerability to terrorist acts in addition to confronting the root cause of terrorism.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
The aim of this module is to provide students with an appreciation of the theoretical and empirical links between geographical theories and insights and the phenomena of terrorism; facilitiate understanding by students of the spatiality of the phenomena of terrorism and geographical perspectives on understanding the root causes of terrorism; enable students to develop a critical awareness of the role of spatial organisation, spatial strategies of power and spatial discourses in influencing the pattern of terrorism by state and non-state actors and encourage critical reflection on counter terrorism approaches and how might strategic interventions at the discursive and policy level, help reduce vulnerability to terrorist acts in addition to confronting the root cause of terrorism.
Module code: 7SSG5107
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
Assessment: coursework
This module starts with a focus on meanings, approaches, and debates resolving around sustainable livelihoods and development from various perspectives. Thematic exemplars will involve in-depth coverage of current issues, such as fair trade, agrarian change, and natural resources management. There will also be focus on discourses of participation and community in development as it pertains to macro- and micro-level implications. This will be linked to broader debates about gendered livelihoods and gender-development debates. The module will involve in-class discussions, based on assigned readings that students are expected to read, as well as documentary analyses linked to the practical coursework assessment
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
Assessment: coursework
This module starts with a focus on meanings, approaches, and debates resolving around sustainable livelihoods and development from various perspectives. Thematic exemplars will involve in-depth coverage of current issues, such as fair trade, agrarian change, and natural resources management. There will also be focus on discourses of participation and community in development as it pertains to macro- and micro-level implications. This will be linked to broader debates about gendered livelihoods and gender-development debates. The module will involve in-class discussions, based on assigned readings that students are expected to read, as well as documentary analyses linked to the practical coursework assessment
Module code: 7SSG5109
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
This module enables students to capture spatial GIS data from a variety of sources, to assess and manage spatial data quality, to integrate and analyse these data within the latest business and research standard GIS environments, both commercial and open-source. The module focuses particularly on the integrated use of spatial (GIS) data alongside remote sensing technologies and simulation models for better understanding and managing the natural environment. Various aspects of spatial and spatio-temporal analysis are covered and the role of GIS in supporting management decisions is emphasised. Course materials focus on the physical environment and ecological systems but include socio-economic information where useful.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 2 (spring)
This module enables students to capture spatial GIS data from a variety of sources, to assess and manage spatial data quality, to integrate and analyse these data within the latest business and research standard GIS environments, both commercial and open-source. The module focuses particularly on the integrated use of spatial (GIS) data alongside remote sensing technologies and simulation models for better understanding and managing the natural environment. Various aspects of spatial and spatio-temporal analysis are covered and the role of GIS in supporting management decisions is emphasised. Course materials focus on the physical environment and ecological systems but include socio-economic information where useful.
Module code: 7SSG5070
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn); Semester 2 (spring);
This module enables students to understand the main opportunities and constraints facing the policy-influencing capacities of environmental organisations, through the medium of an internship placement with an NGO, consultancy or local government office. Students gain insights into the workings of environmental organisations and a feel for the day-to-day working practices of environmental actors. While on placement students learn how to collect/process environmental information relevant to the activities of environmental organisations, and subsequently put together a structured and coherent report reflecting on their practical experience.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn); Semester 2 (spring);
This module enables students to understand the main opportunities and constraints facing the policy-influencing capacities of environmental organisations, through the medium of an internship placement with an NGO, consultancy or local government office. Students gain insights into the workings of environmental organisations and a feel for the day-to-day working practices of environmental actors. While on placement students learn how to collect/process environmental information relevant to the activities of environmental organisations, and subsequently put together a structured and coherent report reflecting on their practical experience.
Module code: 7SSG5119
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module examines the governance of risks to human health and safety and the environment in a wide range of governance settings. The module develops conceptual understanding of the mechanics and dynamics of risk regulation regimes and examines a range of explanatory approaches to risk governance.
Specific aims are to:
- develop understanding of the variety of ways in which risks to human health and safety and the environment are governed;
- develop understanding of the concept of risk regulation regimes as a tool for describing and analysing risk governance variety;
- develop understanding of the range of factors that shape risk governance regimes, how they succeed and why they fail;
- develop understanding of trends in the reform of risk governance regimes and the related impacts of reform.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module examines the governance of risks to human health and safety and the environment in a wide range of governance settings. The module develops conceptual understanding of the mechanics and dynamics of risk regulation regimes and examines a range of explanatory approaches to risk governance.
Specific aims are to:
- develop understanding of the variety of ways in which risks to human health and safety and the environment are governed;
- develop understanding of the concept of risk regulation regimes as a tool for describing and analysing risk governance variety;
- develop understanding of the range of factors that shape risk governance regimes, how they succeed and why they fail;
- develop understanding of trends in the reform of risk governance regimes and the related impacts of reform.
Module code: 7SSG5104
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the recent history of water resource allocation and management especially in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Priority will be given to outlining a conceptual framework identifying the relevant underlying ecological, economic and sociological principles relevant in the evaluation and management of water resources. The conceptual framework will also show the link between these underlying principles and environmental and economic policies. The roles of the institutions and technologies through which such policies can be implemented will also be analysed and exemplified.
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 20
Semester: Semester 1 (autumn)
This module provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the recent history of water resource allocation and management especially in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Priority will be given to outlining a conceptual framework identifying the relevant underlying ecological, economic and sociological principles relevant in the evaluation and management of water resources. The conceptual framework will also show the link between these underlying principles and environmental and economic policies. The roles of the institutions and technologies through which such policies can be implemented will also be analysed and exemplified.
KEY FACTS
Programme leader/s
Professor Mark Pelling
Awarding institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, two years PT, September to September.
Location
Strand Campus
Student destinations
Research and policy development on disaster risk management
and development programming for adaptation. Destination organisations include government agencies, international and national nongovernmental organisations and academic research institutes.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
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