GGH2604/102/1/2024

Tutorial Letter 102/1/2024

People and the Environment

GGH2604

Semester 1

Department of Geography

This tutorial letter contains details for Assignment 2 of GGH2604.

BARCODE
 GGH2604/102/1/2023

SEMESTER 1
ASSIGNMENT 02 UNIQUE NUMBER: 800071 DUE DATE: 27/03/2024

This assignment consists of two parts. Ensure that your student number, module code
and anti-plagiarism declaration appear on the cover page. This assignment contributes
75% to your year mark.

PART ONE:

According to Lui et al. (2016): “Urbanization results in habitat loss and habitat fragmentation
concurrently, both influencing biodiversity and ecological processes.” Write an essay that
critically examines the anticipated effects of human activities on the environment in the African
region through urbanisation (in Africa), with specific focus on the following aspects:

• Habitat loss and destruction

• Pollution associated with urban environments
The length of the essay must be between 1 000 and 1 500 words. You need to ensure that
you have referenced at least seven (7) academic sources. Mark allocation for Part One: 24
Marks.
PART TWO:
Through the use of Google Scholar, select a peer-reviewed journal article that examines a
natural hazard or disaster in Sub-Saharan Africa. The chosen article should provide significant
insights into the causes, impacts, and/or mitigation strategies associated with the selected
hazard or disaster. Ensure that the article is recent (published within the last five years).
Summarise the main research findings, key arguments, and methodologies employed by the
authors. The focus of your summary should be on identifying the causes, impacts, and/or
mitigation strategies related to the selected hazard or disaster. The length of the summary
must be between 400-600 words. This journal article will also need to be correctly referenced
in the reference list. Mark allocation for Part Two: 12 Marks.

Please note: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and will result in penalties as per
university policies. It is essential to paraphrase information from the original article and properly
cite all sources used in your summary. Do not copy and paste text from the article. A separate
referencing guide will be included. Your assignment may be run through plagiarism detection
software.

ADDITIONAL MARK ALLOCATIONS:

Mark allocation for introduction, conclusion, language, referencing and plagiarism declaration:
14 Marks. An assignment marking rubric and guide to accessing Google Scholar has been
included at the end of this tutorial letter.
 GGH2604/102/1/2023

ASSIGNMENT GUIDE

What is expected of you?

Plagiarism
• Proof of cover page with plagiarism declaration

Introduction and Conclusion

• A well-written introduction and conclusion

Content
• You must discuss the effects that the sources of pollution have on the environment.
Refer to examples of the effects of air pollution, soil pollution, and Fracking, or hydraulic
fracturing, in Africa.
• The content must be substantial and relevant and must demonstrate a clear
understanding of the topic.

Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling

• The essay must contain no spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

Correctly referenced and in-text referencing

• Include 6 to 8 references and in-text referencing

If you need any assistance with regards to any aspect of the assignment, please do not
hesitate to contact your assigned e-Tutor or any of your GGH2604 lecturers. You can find their
information below.

Mr Ryan Anderson Mr Fhedzisani Mukhuba

011 471 3541 011 471 3923
anderrl@unisa.ac.za makhufa@unisa.ac.za

© 2024
Unisa

Reference:
Liu, Z., He, C. and Wu, J., 2016. The relationship between habitat loss and fragmentation
during urbanization: an empirical evaluation from 16 world cities. PLoS One, 11(4),
p.e0154613.
Semester 1: Assignment 2 Rubric
Please take the time to read the descriptions in each of the boxes as this gives you an idea of what is expected of you and what you need to do to improve.
Plagiarism
(Max. marks: 3)
Introduction and conclusion
(Max. marks: 5)
Content (Urbanisation &
Habitat loss)
12-11
Substantial and
relevant content that demonstrate a
clear understanding of the topic,
(Discussed five or more examples
of the effects of urbanization and
habitat loss in Africa)
Content (Urbanisation &
pollution)
12-11
Substantial and
relevant content that demonstrate a
clear understanding of the topic.
(Discussed five or more examples
of the effects of urbanization and
pollution in Africa)
12-11
Excellent summary of natural
hazard or disaster in sub-Saharan
Africa. All aspects of assignment
instruction were well addressed.
Language Usage
(Max. marks: 2)
Reference use & in-text
referencing
(Max. marks: 4)
2 0
Proof of cover page with
plagiarism declaration
5 4-3
Includes a well-written
introduction and conclusion
10-8
Adequate
relevant content that
demonstrate a clear
understanding of the topic.
(Discussed four examples of the
effects of urbanization and habitat
loss in Africa)
10-8
Adequate and
relevant content that
demonstrate a clear
understanding of the topic.
(Discussed four examples of the
effects of urbanization and
pollution in Africa)
10-8
Adequate summary of natural
hazard or disaster in sub-
Saharan Africa. Most aspects of
assignment instruction were
addressed.
2 1
No spelling, punctuation, and
grammatical errors.
5 3-4
Proper application of the Harvard
method both full and in-text
referencing
The introduction and conclusion
need some revision
7-6
Satisfactory
content that demonstrates some
understanding of the topic.
(Discussed three examples of the
effects of urbanization and habitat
loss in Africa)
7-6
Satisfactory
content that demonstrates some
understanding of the topic.
(Discussed three examples of the
effects of urbanization and
pollution in Africa)
7-6
Satisfactory
summary of natural hazard or
disaster in sub-Saharan Africa.
Some aspects addressed were
irrelevant.
Full referencing, and inconsistent
in-text referencing
2 1
The introduction and conclusion lack
focus
PART ONE
5-4
Vague content
that demonstrates a weak
understanding of the topic.
(Discussed two examples of the effects
of urbanization and habitat loss in
Africa)
5-4
Vague content
that demonstrates a weak
understanding of the topic.
(Discussed two examples of the effects
of urbanization and pollution in Africa)
PART TWO
5-4
Vague summary of natural hazard or
disaster in sub-Saharan Africa.
Some spelling and punctuation, and
minor grammatical errors.
2 1
Some referencing, and/or no in-text
referencing
Mark
No plagiarism declaration
0 Mark
Contains an introduction but no No introduction and no
conclusion (vice versa) conclusion
3-1 0 Mark
Minimal Did not
content that demonstrates a include any
lack of understanding the topic. relevant
information.
(Discussed one example of the (Did not discuss any relevant
effects of urbanization and examples of the effects of
habitat loss in Africa) urbanization and habitat loss in
Africa)
3-1 0 Mark
Minimal Did not
content that demonstrates a include any
lack of understanding the topic. relevant
information.
(Discussed one example of the (Did not discuss any relevant
effects of urbanization and examples of the effects
pollution in Africa) urbanization and pollution in
Africa)
3-1 0 Mark
Poor Did not
summary of natural hazard or include any
disaster in sub-Saharan Africa. relevant
Most aspects addressed were information.
irrelevant.
0 Mark
Needs total revision
0 Mark
Includes some form of References and in-text
referencing referencing have been omitted
Total ____/50