Module overview
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process required in many countries to predict the consequences of proposed projects (e.g. construction) or policies (e.g. ground water management). This includes assessing the impact on cultural heritage assets. Within this module you will learn the methods used to evaluate heritage sites and landscapes using desk based approaches, including Geographical information Systems, Computer Aided Design, historical maps, national archives and remote sensing. The module will include detailed discussion of the requirements of the EIA process, standards adhered to and the roles of consultants, regulators and contractors within this process.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Accessing archives and assimilating data
- Experience of assessment process and report production to stated deadlines
- GIS and CAD skills
- Knowledge of EIA process applicable to a range of fields in many countries
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- To understand the rationale behind EIA
- To be cognisant of the workflows associated with EIA for heritage management
- To be able to produce a desk based assessment (DBA) of a particular site or landscape drawing on library research, grey literature, historic maps and documents, air photographs and other archived materials.
Syllabus
The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, fieldtrips, computer based practicals and individual study. The topics covered in lectures will typically include:
- Legislative frameworks
- EIA requirements
- What constitutes Heritage Assets
- Methods for evaluation
- Working with regulatory demands, professional ethics and developmental constraints.
- Desk based assessment
- Professional report writing
- Case Studies
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
- Lectures
- Group Seminars
- Computer based practicals
- Student led panel interviews (client/regulator/consultant meeting simulation)
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 80 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 30 |
| Wider reading or practice | 10 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 6 |
| Lecture | 20 |
| Seminar | 4 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Department of the Environment 1994, PPG 15 Planning Policy Guidance: Planning and the Historic Environment. Department of the Environment..
Department of the Environment 1994, PPG 16 Planning Policy Guidance: Planning and the Historic Environment. Department of the Environment..
Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment..
Journal Articles
CARVER, J J (2013). The Challenges and Opportunities for Mega-Infrastructure Projects and Archaeology. Papers from the Institute of Archaeology, [S.l.], 23, pp. 18.
Textbooks
Bewley, R., Donoghue, D., Gaffney, V., van Leusen, M., Wise, A. (1998). Archiving Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing Data: A Guide to Good Practice. Archaeology Data Service.
Howard, P (2007). Archaeological Surveying and Mapping: Recording and Depicting the Landscape. London: Routledge.
Richards, J. and Robinson, D. (2000). Digital Archives from Excavation and Fieldwork: Guide to Good Practice. Archaeology Data Service.
Barker, P. (1982). Techniques of Archaeological Excavation. London: Batsford.
Hunter, J. and Ralston, I. (1993). Archaeological Resource Management in the UK: An Introduction. Alan Sutton.
Rippon, S. (2004). Historic Landscape Analysis: Deciphering the Countryside. Council for British Archaeology.
Aston, M. (1985). Interpreting the Landscape: Landscape Archaeology in Local Studies. London: Batsford.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
This module allows for two modes of assessment; formative and summative. Formative feedback will be used to aid your learning throughout the module via feedback on a blog you will create. Here you will be able to aggregate journal articles, case studies and pose questions. The summative assessment will take the form of a desk based assessment for a terrestrial development. You will be given a project brief and the necessary data to make an assessment. Your first summative assessment will be in the form of an interview where you will outline your initial thoughts on the project. The second assessment will be your written report (following feedback from the interview). This assessment has been designed to directly follow current practice in industry, helping to improve your employability skills.
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Module blog
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Feedback will be given by the tutor throughout the module
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Desk-based assessment | 75% |
| Project meeting | 25% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Desk-based assessment | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External