Europe in the Quaternary – palaeogeography, relief, climate and environment 1300-TECPRKS
The tutorial includes literature studies, preparation of discussions, presentations and essays on the broad issues related with climate change and environmental and palaeogeographical development of Europe in the Quaternary. The dynamics of relief formation processes, changes in the world of plants and animals as well as human development in the Quaternary are discussed. An important element are currently occurring climatic changes and their impact on the environment. Detailed issues include:
- climate cycles in the Pleistocene of Europe;
- geological and geomorphological evidence of former climatic changes;
- contemporary climate changes;
- global warming - facts and myths;
- Europe's palaeogeography in the Quaternary and the development of relief formation processes;
- human expansion in Europe – dynamics, environment, resources;
- human settlement and transformation of the natural environment;
- geoarchaeological record in Pleistocene sediments;
- fauna as an indicator of climatic and environmental conditions.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
On completing the course, the student:
- has knowledge in the palaeogeography, relief formation processes, and climatic and environmental conditions prevailing in Europe in the Quaternary;
- understands former and modern climate changes and knows their geological and geomorphological record;
- can relate human expansion in Europe with the prevailing climate and environmental conditions;
- knows how to collect and analyze literature and internet data;
- has skills in solving the scientific problems;
- develops the skills of speaking, writing an essay and creating a multimedia presentation;
- develops the ability of discussions and public presentations;
- has skills in the presentation his own achievements;
- understands the difficulties in the interpretation of geological record;
- understands the importance of palaeoecological research and its role in the development of civilization.
Assessment criteria
Obtaining a course credit requires participation in all tutorials, each time documented by the tutor in form of individual tutorial record sheets. The course is credited based on the preparation of reports, essays or presentations, and evaluation of the student's involvement. Additionally, the final result of the tutorial can be a report, an essay or a presentation summarizing the issues discussed in the cycle (also as part of sessions and scientific conferences). Each student is obliged to present a short summative talk (multimedia presentation) during a joint session of all tutees and their tutors, scheduled for the end of the academic year (June), in which the course takes place.
Practical placement
Not applicable.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: