Module Information

Module Identifier
GG22110
Module Title
Level 2 Geography Tutorial
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Mutually Exclusive
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials 10 (meetings in alternate weeks over both semesters)
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment In order to pass the module students must complete and submit all 5 assignments required for assessment. Students should note that attendance at tutorials is compulsory, as is submission of work by the deadline set by the tutor. Any absences should be agreed with the tutor in advance, and illness immediately notified to him/her. Unexplained absence will result in the initiation of disciplinary procedures. Late submission of assignments without good cause and without prior approval of the tutor will result in imposition of the late submission penalties set out on page 4.  Course Work:  100%
Supplementary Assessment Students who fail the module will normally be allowed a resit, which will involve the resubmission of failed assignments and the submission of any assignments which were not submitted. Marks for assignments already assessed at 40% or more will be carried forward. In the absence of extenuating circumstances (eg. illness), the maximum mark available on assignments submitted for resit will be 40%. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

* Demonstrate knowledge of the development of Geography in recent decades

* Discuss and analyse the use of different theoretical perspectives within Geography.

* Demonstrate an appreciation of the nature and appropriate use of different methodological strategies in Geography.

* Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues in Geography research.

* Identify a research problem or subject and design an appropriate research strategy.

* Critically engage with contemporary literature in Geography

* Write in an academic style.

* Make an oral presentation to a small group.

Aims

  • To develop students' understanding and appreciation of Geography as a contemporary academic discipline and its historical evolution.
  • To nurture students' understanding of and engagement with theoretical and methodological issues in Geography
  • To develop students' skills of critical analysis and academic writing
  • To support students' preparation for the Dissertation or Joint Honours/Major Project
  • To provide support for, and coherence between, the core modules in Geography
  • To develop students' study skills
  • To develop students' personal transferable skills.

Content

The Level 2 tutorial module is obligatory for 2nd year students following Single and Joint Honours degree schemes in Geography. It may be taken by other students only by special arrangement with the Module Co-ordinator. It provides a basis for close and regular supervisory contact with students throughout the year.

It has three specific objectives. First, as a source of close, working contact, it will address the general academic and pastoral problems confronted by students during the year. Second, each Geography Tutorial Module is designed to have its own independent academic syllabus. At Level 2 this will focus on the theory and practice of geography and contemporary debates within Physical or Human Geography. Third, it will address a defined syllabus of study skills enabling students to cope more effectively with the demands of academic study, develop transferable skills, and enable them to exploit more fully the possibilities offered by our programme.

ACADEMIC COURSE WORK
Academic course work in the Level 2 Tutorial Module will deal with the theory and practice of Geography, and with contemporary themes of debate within the subject. Their work will be developed through tutorial discussion and tutorial essays, as set out below.

STUDY SKILLS
The study skills covered by the Level 2 Tutorial Module will deal with the following:
  • Project work/Dissertations [inc. design/problem formulation: data sources/techniques: compiling bibliographies: techniques of report writing]
  • Oral Presentations
  • Career guidance/self-assessment
  • Styles of geographical thought/spatial/integrative/ecological/systemic/evaluative
MODULE PROGRAMME
During the first semester, the tutorial module will focus on essential study skills and on the nature of geographical discourse. Assessment will be based on three pieces of submitted work. These will comprise:
  • one piece of project work concerned with the development of study skills.
  • two academic essays on subjects to be determined by the tutor.
During the second semester, the tutorial module will focus on discussion of theory and practice in geography and on preparation for an independent geographical study. For single and joint honours students, the semester is intended to provide direct support for dissertation & joint honours project preparation. The assessed end product will be two background papers, maximum length 1800 words each, covering research methodology and the preparation of a contextual essay and literature review.


Reading List


P. Cloke, C. Philo and D. Sadler (1991) Approaching Human Geography. An Introduction to Contemporary Debates Primo search R.H. Haines-Young and J.R. Petch (1986) Physical Geography: Its Nature and Methods Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5