Environmental geography

Part 1

The course questions man's relationship to nature, most of the time using a critical approach to the social and political construction of nature. It emphasizes a holistic view of relationships with nature that combines natural sciences, social sciences, and geographic approaches.

The six chapters discuss principles of adaptation and precaution, exploitation of natural resources, natural risk management, the cultural construction of biodiversity and nature, desertification, governance and nesting of spatial scales.  

Part 2

The course questions man's relationship to nature, most of the time using a critical approach to the social and political construction of nature. It emphasizes a holistic view of relationships with nature that combines natural sciences, social sciences, and geographic approaches.

A week of fieldwork will allow participants to understand the complexity of human-environment relations within a geosystem.

Part 1

• Identify environmental issues of a situation or a space
• Pay attention to the political nature of positions concerning environmental issues
• Develop a multiscalar approach to environmental issues
• Discuss and elaborate argument in Environmental approaches
• Write Recommendations

Part 2

• Identify environmental issues of a situation or a space
• Pay attention to the political nature of positions concerning environmental issues
• Develop a multiscalar approach to environmental issues
• Discuss and elaborate argument in Environmental approaches
• Write Recommendations

Part 1

English B2

Part 2

English B2

Part 1

Flipped classroom based on readings and discussion animated by the students

Part 2

Fieldwork to implement a set of analysis tools

Part 1

Blended learning


Further information:

Individual preparation, presential classes.  Compulsory presence

Part 2

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Individual preparation and fieldworks

Part 1

Castree N, Demeritt D., Liverman D., Rhoads B., 2009. A Companion to Environmental Geography, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 588 p.
Castree N., Hulme M., Proctor J.D., 2018. Companion to Environmental Studies, Routlege Textbook, 848 p.

Part 2

Castree N, Demeritt D., Liverman D., Rhoads B., 2009. A Companion to Environmental Geography, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 588 p.
Castree N., Hulme M., Proctor J.D., 2018. Companion to Environmental Studies, Routlege Textbook, 848 p.

Part 1

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

The evaluation is based on the three main activities of the course:

• 30% for the preparations and the participation during the six classes;
• 70% for the essay and oral examination.

Part 2

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

Continuous assessment


Additional information:

The evaluation is based on the three main activities of the course:

• 20% for the preparations and the participation during the six classes;
• 20% for participation during the fieldwork, including the writing of collective reports;
• 25% for the essay
• 35% for an oral examination.

Part 1

Prof. Serge SCHMITZ, S.Schmitz@uliege.be

Prof. Pierre OZER, pozer@uliege.be

Part 2

Prof. serge SCHMITZ, S.Schmitz@uliege.be
Prof. Pierre OZER, pozer@uliege.be