Geology, Landscape and People



Overview

Geology determines the underlying nature of landscape, but mankind has utilised, modified & shaped the Earth's surface through several millennia of occupation. We examine the roles of geology & people in forming a range of distinctive landscapes.

In volcanic ash of the East African Rift Valley four million years ago, and in the Lunar regolith in 1969AD, humans and our hominin ancestors have left their footprint. Mankind has ever interacted with, and modified, the landscape and the environment. We have successfully adapted to climatic and sea level change during the Quaternary, and have colonised much of the Earth’s land surface. In prehistoric and historic times, we have chosen locations and regions favourable for their topography, underlying geology, soil fertility, and availability of natural resources.

We have lived in the landscape, utilised and altered it: flint mines, stone monuments, hill forts, villages, towns and cities, agriculture, industries and roads, all bear evidence for the continuing relationship between mankind and the environment. Looking at landscape from a geological and human perspective, we examine various causes and effects that have impacted on the landscapes of Britain and beyond.

Programme details

Course begins: 22nd Jan 2025

Week 1: Introduction to the course. Geological landscapes today and over the past 4 million years.

The exact content of weeks 2 to 7 may change to reflect the interests of the class group. Provisional schedule:

Week 2: Human origins. "Out of Africa" to the first farmers. Geological environments for habitation.

Week 3: Colonisation of Britain: choice of specific geological landscapes. Monuments, settlements and mobility through the landscape.

Week 4: Landscapes of mineral and rock extraction, ancient and modern. Geological sources of raw materials. Roads, rivers and canals.

Week 5: Relationships between geology and soils, natural vegetation and topography. Agricultural and rural landscapes past and present.

Week 6: Coastal and island landscapes. Geology and sea level change; safe havens and harbours. Land bridges and other connections.

Week 7: Anthropogenic and "natural" effects on the environment and landscape.

Week 8: Review of the course and of practical work. Students are invited to give a short presentation on a relevant topic.

Week 9: Sessions 9/10: fieldwork provisionally on Sat 15 or Sun 16 March, or other date agreed with the class, a.m. and p.m.

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Carol Lister

Tutor

Carol has a doctorate in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, a master's degree in Applied Landscape Archaeology, and many years’ experience as a Professional Geologist and University Teacher.

Course aims

To examine the influences of geology and human beings on landscapes.

Course Objectives:

 

  •  To examine geological and climatic effects that have moulded our present landscape.
  •  To consider interactions, ancient and modern, between mankind and the geological landscape.
  •  To consider the impact of mankind on landscape character and environment.

Teaching methods

Classroom sessions on Wednesday evenings will include a balance of lectures and practical work with specimens and geological maps. Students are encouraged to take notes, and to initiate discussion. Two sessions of fieldwork, provisionally on 15 or 16 March (to be agreed with the class), will focus on prehistoric and historic human utilisation of geological landscape features.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • understand aspects of landscape in terms of underlying geology and human activity;
  • recognise distinct geological and human processes in determining the character of landscape;
  • appreciate a chronological sequence of events in the evolution of the present day landscape.

Assessment methods

Students may submit a minimum of two short pieces of work, or one long essay of approximately 1500 words. Short pieces of work can include class practical work and an optional short presentation to the class in week 8.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)

Level and demands

No prior experience of geology or archaeology is assumed, but students who have studied Introducing Geological Science will be able to build on their existing knowledge.

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support