The University of Hong Kong

Department of Geography

GEOG1022 Global Changes and Sustainable Development (6 credits)

Timetable arrangement: Annual; Second Semester

Teacher Contact
Dr. Peng ZHU
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography
Room 1005, 10/F, The Jockey Club Tower
Email: zhupeng@hku.hk
Tel: (852) 391 72830

Objectives
The course aims to expand students’ international horizons, establish a scientific understanding of
the interaction between humans and nature, enhance their understanding of global change and
effect on the sustainable development of society, and ultimately strengthen students ’competence in
dealing with various affairs in an international setting.

Course Synopsis
The course discusses the structure and function of the Earth system, including climate change,
carbon/nitrogen cycling, agriculture and land use, water resources, energy, ecosystem, cities,
causes and impacts of natural disasters, etc. at the global scale. It will also introduce an important
technique – satellite observation and its application in global change. It will review strategies
adopted or to be developed under current and future global environmental changes, especially on
climate change. The course will engage students in in-depth group discussions on the above issues
from multidisciplinary perspectives and train students to analyze global change issues
independently.

Lecture Topics
• General issues in global change and sustainable development
• Earth system and climate change
• Global carbon and nitrogen cycling
• Global agricultural issues
• Global water issues
• Global energy challenge
• Global ecological issues
• Global urbanization
• Satellite observation and global change
• Global natural disasters
• Climate scenario and socioeconomic pathways
• Climate change and future earth

Course Assessment
100% coursework
• One short essay (60%)
• Two in-class quizzes (40%: 20% each)
1
Details of coursework components

• Short essay (60%)

Students are required to submit one 1500 to 2000-word essay on global changes and
sustainable development after reading the assigned materials such as textbooks, lecture
notes, and relevant academic publications.

• In-class quizzes (40%)

The quiz consists of multiple-choice questions and short questions.

Further details on coursework would be announced in class and on course Moodle.

Lecture Overview

Topic Date
1 General issues in global change and sustainable development 18 Jan 2024
2 Earth system and climate change 25 Jan 2024
3 Global carbon and nitrogen cycling 1 Feb 2024
4 Global agricultural issues 8 Feb 2024
Public Holiday—No lecture 15 Feb 2024
5 Global water issues 22 Feb 2024
6 Global energy challenge 29 Feb 2024
Reading Week—No lecture 7 Mar 2024
7 Global ecological issues 14 Mar 2024
8 Global urbanization 21 Mar 2024
9 Satellite observation and global change 28 Mar 2024
Public Holiday—No lecture 4 Apr 2024
10 Global natural disasters 11 Apr 2024
11 Climate scenario and socioeconomic pathways 18 Apr 2024
12 Climate change and future earth 25 Apr 2024
*Materials covered each week might be adjusted. Any adjustment will be announced in class.

In-class quizzes: 29 Feb and 11 Apr

Submission of short reports: 2 May

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Knowledge:
• Describe the complex relationship between the natural and human systems and explain the
main processes.
• Understand the causes of global changes and their effects.
• Assess the interdependence of human activities and global environment through analysis.
Skills:
• Evaluate different social sustainable development goals and strategies.

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Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Geography Major Programme Learning Outcomes:

PLO1: Critically analyze the geographical aspects of the relationship between people
and the environment
PLO2: Demonstrate and develop an understanding of how these relationships have
changed with space and over time
PLO3: Identify, collect and utilize primary and secondary data to investigate and
analyze the issues and problems facing people, places and society
PLO4: Integrate, evaluate and communicate information from a variety of geographical
and other sources
PLO5: Participate in promoting social, economic, and environmental sustainability at
the local, regional and global scales
PLO6: Effectively apply a range of transferable skills in academic, professional and
social settings

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) Alignment with Programme Course

Learning Outcomes (PLOs) Assessment
After completing this course, students PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO Methods
1 2 3 4 5 6
would be able to:
1 Describe the complex relationship Essay, class
between the natural and human participation
systems and explain the main √ √ and group
processes discussion; and
MC quizzes
2 Understand the causes of global Essay, class
changes and their effects participation
√ √ √ and group
discussion; and
MC quizzes
3 Assess the interdependence of human Essay, class
activities and global environment participation
through analysis √ √ √ √ √ and group
discussion; and
MC quizzes
4 Evaluate different social sustainable Essay; and MC
√ √ √ √
development goals and strategies quizzes

For alignment with the Programme Learning Outcomes of “Urban Governance Major”, please
refer to the Department website http://geog.hku.hk

3
Grade Descriptors
In order to facilitate students to understand their performance in this course and to improve, some
descriptions of the different grades are listed below.

Grade Descriptions
A Excellent foundation knowledge of the subject.
Demonstrate evidence of original thought, logical thinking, and strong
analytical skills.
Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
B A good foundation knowledge of the subject.
Demonstrate evidence of critical and analytical thinking and skills.
Good organizational and presentation skills.
No serious flaws in the answer.
C Reasonable foundation knowledge of the subject.
Little evidence of critical thinking or insight, although the answer has some
structure/coherence.
Mostly descriptive in the work.
Some flaws in the answer.
D Limited foundation knowledge of the subject. Mainly descriptive with limited
evidence of critical thinking and poor structure/coherence.
Not well organized in presentation.
A number of flaws in the answer.
Fail No foundation knowledge of the subject.
Major flaws in the answer.
Poor organizational and presentation skills.

Recommended Basic Reading List#

Bonan, G. (2015). Ecological climatology: concepts and applications. Cambridge University Press.
ISBN 9780511805530.

Tim Lenton (2016). Earth System Science: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
ISBN 978-0-19-871887-1

#Additional reading materials will be introduced by course teacher in class.

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