The University of Hong Kong
Department of Geography
GEOG1021 Geographic Issues of Polar Regions (6 credits)
Timetable arrangement: Annual; Second Semester
Friday, 12:30 – 14:20, MWT2
Teacher Prof HO Kin-chung
Objectives
The course aims to identify and discuss the historic, scientific, social and environmental issues of
the polar regions in contemporary world. Students will be developed with knowledge and practical
ideas for contributing to environmental sustainability of the Polar Regions as well as environmental
responsibilities for exercising in their future careers.
Course Synopsis
Polar Regions cover the Arctic and Antarctic areas of the Earth. These mysterious places were the
focus of exploration and colonial contest in the early 20th Century. Today, Polar Regions are
internationally co-administrated and where scientists of different countries are allowed to station and
conduct research. The regions hold about 90% of the world’s freshwater resources mainly in the
forms of glaciers, icebergs and ice-caps. It is known that rising temperatures are the causes of
changing global climates, oceanographic currents, biome and carbon reserve. As human activities
are increasingly affecting Polar Regions which are environmental sensitive and vulnerable, it is
important to understand these interrelationships and what can be done to protect the tundra and
permafrost. The course provides fundamental knowledge and discusses the geographic significance
and issues related to ecological security and future management of the Polar Regions.
Lecture Topics
• Overview of polar exploration and history of discovery
• Core scientific and social knowledge of polar regions
• Significance of the polar regions with regard to climate, oceanographic changes, ecological
security and environmental sustainability
• Natural and ecological resources in polar regions, and their implications to sustainability
• Recent development of polar regions with regard to human activities and international conflicts
• Challenges and opportunities of global climate change with particular attention to polar regions
• Innovations of research and development relevant to polar regions
• Society and Governance of polar regions
• Environmental sustainability and environmental responsibilities related to polar regions
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Course Assessment
40% Examination (one and a half hour)
60% Coursework (short-question test and one short essay) (see details below)
Details of coursework components
•
•
Home test (30% of overall mark) with short questions which help students to refresh and
consolidate core knowledge obtained from lectures and outside classroom study.
Short essay of 800-1200 words (30% of overall mark) which require students to read some
academic papers and media reports for development of their concluding remarks including
recommendations relevant to contemporary geographic issues in polar regions.
Other details and requirements of coursework will be posted on course Moodle.
Lecture Overview*
Topic
1
Date
Overview of polar exploration and history of discovery (1)
Public Holiday—No lecture
Overview of polar exploration and history of discovery (2)
Core scientific and social knowledge of polar regions
Significance of the polar regions with regard to climate,
oceanographic changes, ecological security and environmental
sustainability
Competition of natural resources in polar regions and relevant
international conflicts
Recent development of polar regions with regard to increased human
activities and sociological issues
Reading Week: Challenges and opportunities of global climate
change with particular attention to polar regions
24 Jan 2025
31 Jan 2025
7 Feb 2025
14 Feb 2025
21 Feb 2025
8
Ecological security of polar regions and the national research
work of China
21 Mar 2025
9
Selected topics on innovative research in the polar regions (1)
Public Holiday—No lecture
Selected topics on innovative research in the polar regions (2)
28 Mar 2025
4 Apr 2025
11 Apr 2025
2
3
4
5
6
7
10
Public Holiday—No lecture
11
Society and governance of the polar regions with particular
reference to international conventions and agreements
12
Environmental sustainability of polar regions &
Course Review and Summary
28 Feb 2025
7 Mar 2025
14 Mar 2025
18 Apr 2025
25 Apr 2025
2 May 2025
*Materials covered each week might be adjusted. Any adjustment will be announced at class.
A field visit will be arranged to an exhibition related to geographic issues of polar regions.
Details of the time and venue will be announced at class once administrative arrangement
is confirmed. Attendance of the field visit is optional to students.
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Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
After completing the course, students should be able to:
• Describe and analysis the geographic significance of Polar Regions
• Associate Polar Regions with the causes and impacts of global climate change
• Discuss the environmental issues of Polar Regions and their relevance to human society and
ecological security
• Develop practical and innovative ideas with regard to research and environmental stewardship.
• Contribute to sustainability for their future careers with particular reference to social and
environmental responsibilities.
3
Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Geography Major Programme Learning Outcomes:
PLO1:
PLO2:
PLO3:
PLO4:
PLO5:
PLO6:
Critically analyze the geographical aspects of the relationship between people and
the environment
Demonstrate and develop an understanding of how these relationships have
changed with space and over time
Identify, collect and utilize primary and secondary data to investigate and analyze
the issues and problems facing people, places and society
Integrate, evaluate and communicate information from a variety of geographical and
other sources
Practice and promote social, economic, and environmental sustainability at the
local, regional and global scales
Effectively apply a range of transferable skills in academic, professional and social
settings
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
After completing this
students would be able to:
1
2
3
4
5
Alignment with Programme
Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
course, (please put a √ under the
relevant PLO that aligns with
the respective CLO)
Describe and analysis the geographic
significance of Polar Regions
Associate Polar Regions with the
causes and impacts of global climate
change
Discuss the environmental issues of
Polar Regions and their relevance to
human society and ecological
security
Develop practical and innovative ideas
with regard to environmental
stewardship
Contribute to sustainability for their
future careers with particular reference
to
innovations
and
social
responsibilities
PLO
3
PLO
4
PLO
5
Course Assessment
Methods
[please state the
relevant methods(s)
for each CLO]
PLO
1
PLO
2
PLO
6
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
Short questions, short
essay & exam
√
√
√
√
√
√
Short essay & exam
√
√
√
√
√
√
Short essay & exam
Short questions, short
essay & exam
Short questions, short
essay & exam
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
B
C
D
Fail
Excellent foundation knowledge of the subject.
Demonstrate evidence of original thought, logical thinking, and strong analytical
skills.
Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
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.
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.
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.
No foundation knowledge of the subject.
Major flaws in the answer.
Poor organizational and presentation skills.
Recommended Reading List**
1. Stone, D. P. (2015) The Changing Arctic Environment – The Arctic Messenger. Cambridge
University Press. ISBN 978-107-09441-3
2. Walton, D. W. H. (Ed.) (2013) Antarctica – Global Science from a Frozen Continent.
Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-00392-7
**Additional reading materials will be introduced by course teacher in class.
Teacher Contacts
Prof HO Kin-chung
Honorary Professor, Department of Geography
E-Mails: kcho2@hku.hk; kchoprofessor2@gmail.com;
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