Coastal Environment Management Workshop
Aix-Marseille University
Reference Teacher: Anne Cadoret (AMU)
Teacher(s): Anne Cadoret, Senior Lecturer in Social Geography of the Environment, TELEMMe (CNRS – AMU)
François Sabatier, senior lecturer, (CNRS – Aix-Marseille University)
This course is part of the Bachelor’s degree in Geography (Licence 3) at Aix-Marseille University. The workshop links physical geography and social geography in order to analyse coastal environments, their dynamics, and the challenges related to coastal management and planning. The course introduces students to field-based and mixed methods used in coastal studies and environmental diagnostics. The workshop also serves as an introduction to potential specialisation in coastal management, environmental planning, and coastal risk studies at the Master’s level.
The workshop introduces students to the analysis of coastal environments through both physical and social geography approaches. The social geography component of the workshop introduces students to an innovative methodological approach based on sound in geography. This approach uses soundscapes as both an object of study and an analytical tool to understand territorial dynamics. Students analyse coastal territories through the collection and interpretation of sound environments, interviews with local actors, and field observations. This approach allows them to identify phenomena that are often difficult to capture through traditional geographical methods, such as atmospheres, everyday practices, perceived disturbances, and conflicts of use. The project aims to train students in the analysis of territorial dynamics through soundscapes. Students produce sound recordings, interactive maps, and narrative analyses combining interviews, observations, photographs, and sound environments. These productions contribute to the development of a territorial sound archive and may be shared with local partners such as the Calanques National Park and neighbourhood associations.
The geomorphology component focuses on the functioning of coastal systems and the analysis of shoreline dynamics. Students learn to identify coastal landforms in the field, analyse beach profiles, and evaluate coastal risks such as erosion and shoreline retreat. Fieldwork activities include the measurement of beach profiles, photographic monitoring of the coastline, and the interpretation of coastal dynamics.Students work in groups to analyse a selected beach site. Their final report includes geomorphological analysis, shoreline evolution, beach profile interpretation, and an assessment of coastal retreat linked to sea-level rise.
The workshop combines two complementary components: Coastal geomorphology and shoreline dynamics ; and Social geography and territorial analysis of coastal interface areas. Students learn to analyse coastal processes, environmental risks, and human uses of coastal territories through field observations and applied methodological exercises.
Students will acquire knowledge of coastal geomorphology and shoreline dynamics as well as an understanding of the social, environmental, and governance challenges associated with coastal territories. They will also gain an introduction to soundscape analysis as an emerging approach in human geography, enabling the study of territorial atmospheres, uses, and conflicts.
Students will learn to apply field-based methods in coastal studies, including beach profile measurement, shoreline observation, and the use of geographic tools such as GPS and digital mapping platforms. They will learn how to combine qualitative and spatial data in order to produce multimedia territorial diagnostics, including narrative maps integrating sound, photographs, and cartographic information.
Students will develop analytical skills allowing them to interpret environmental data, identify coastal management challenges, and assess interactions between natural processes and human activities in coastal environments.
Students will develop skills in communicating geographical analyses through multimedia storytelling, including sound recordings, narrative mapping, and oral presentations. These alternative formats allow students to address a wider audience, including territorial stakeholders such as local authorities, environmental institutions, and residents.
Students will strengthen their ability to work collaboratively, organise field-based research, and apply mixed methods combining physical geography and social sciences. Students will also develop technical skills in sound recording, audio editing, and interactive cartography, which are increasingly valued in territorial planning, environmental studies, and applied geography professions.
Enrollment in the third year of the Bachelor’s degree in Geography at Aix-Marseille University. Students in related disciplines may apply through academic equivalence procedures.
The workshop combines lectures, fieldwork, and project-based learning. Students conduct field observations, shoreline measurements, interviews, and sound recordings in coastal environments. Group work is central to the course, and students produce both geomorphological analyses and narrative cartographic projects. Tools used during the course include GPS devices for shoreline measurements, sound recording equipment, digital editing software, and online mapping platforms.
Assessment is based on a written report analysing a coastal site, the production of a narrative interactive map integrating sound recordings and spatial analysis, and an oral presentation of the methodology and results.
The workshop aims to introduce students to interdisciplinary approaches to coastal territorial analysis and to develop innovative methodological skills through the use of sound in geography and multimedia mapping tools. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyse coastal environments through both physical and social geography perspectives, conduct field-based territorial diagnostics, and produce multimedia outputs combining spatial analysis, sound recordings, and narrative cartography.
The expected learning outcomes can contribute to the achievements of the following goals: Goal 14: Life below water, Goal 13: Climate Action, and Goal 4: Quality Education
The course is part of the Bachelor’s degree in Geography at Aix-Marseille University : https://allsh.univ-amu.fr/fr/candidature-inscription/inscription
For continuing education applicants, enrolment is managed by the Continuing Education Office (UFR ALLSH). https://allsh.univ-amu.fr/fr/formation/formation-continue
The course includes twelve sessions combining theoretical input, fieldwork, and project workshops. Students first learn methods for collecting geographical data in social sciences, including observation grids, interview guides, and field documentation techniques. Field sessions then focus on coastal soundscapes and territorial observation in an area (e.g. near the Calanques National Park). Students collect sound recordings, conduct interviews with local actors, and analyse environmental issues affecting the coastal interface. Using these materials, they produce a narrative map hosted on the IGN “Ma Carte” platform, integrating sound recordings, photographs, and spatial analysis.
The workshop forms part of a pedagogical innovation initiative designed to diversify methods of territorial analysis and to integrate multimedia approaches into geography education. Territorial public policies increasingly rely on qualitative diagnostics, sensitive approaches, and multimedia representations in order to better understand territorial atmospheres, practices, and conflicts.
The order and detailed content of sessions may be adapted depending on field conditions and pedagogical needs.
Texts and reference bibliography for the course will provided by the professors