Module Information

Module Identifier
GG22420
Module Title
Geography Fieldwork
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Dr Paul Anthony Brewer
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
Acceptance onto 2nd year SH, JH and major schemes in Geography. The module will be a core module for SH and majors and will be an option for JHs.
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 8 x 3 hour fieldtrip preparatory lectures/practicals
Practical Depending on destination, up to 12 days may be spent on a residential fieldcourse.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Short report(s) (combined length <1500 words)  30%
Semester Assessment Individual report on group project (2500 words)  50%
Semester Assessment Oral presentation  20%
Supplementary Assessment Students who fail to attend the field course without good reason will not be permitted a resit. Students who attend the field course but fail the assessment will be given the opportunity to resubmit failed components by a date to be agreed with the module co-ordinator (marks for passed components will be carried forward). Students whose reasons for failing to attend the field course are condoned will be permitted to submit a 5,000 word project for assessment of a type and by a date to be agreed with the module co-ordinator, for a maximum mark of 100%.  100%

Learning Outcomes

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

Identify topical and relevant research problems in Geography.

Design research strategies for data collection and analysis that are relevant to designated research questions.

Demonstrate proficiency in a range of data collection/analysis techniques.

Communicate research findings through both written reports and oral presentations.

Brief description

Through analysis of relevant and topical themes in human geography, physical geography, and at the human/physical interface, the module will address the following objectives:
  • To provide an opportunity to apply theoretical, technical and/or scientific laboratory methods to the more complex, uncontrolled field environment, and to appreciate how processes that might be regarded as 'general' are mediated by the social and environmental character of a specific place.
  • To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis testing, research design and data collection.
  • To encourage, where appropriate, consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes.
  • To develop a sense of place, awareness of difference, and tolerance for others.
  • To promote certain transferable skills required in practical work and seminars, such as teamwork and observation.

Content

The module objectives will be delivered through a series of lectures and other classes which will culminate in a residential field course (depending on student numbers, several home-based and overseas destinations may be offered). The topics covered in any particular year may vary, depending on the cohort of students being taken on a particular course, staffing arrangements and fieldtrip destination, but will include themes such as:

  • Human impacts on the environment.
  • Natural hazards.
  • Interpreting the human and physical landscapes.
  • Aspects of cultural, political and economic geography.
  • Aspects of environmental change.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Where appropriate, students will be trained in statistical techniques to analyse their field data.
Communication Both written and oral communication of field information will be developed via group discussions, reports and an oral presentation.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be responsible for taking their own field notes, preparing an oral presentation and submitting individual field reports.
Information Technology Written reports, literature/information searches, and where appropriate data analysis, to be undertaken electronically.
Personal Development and Career planning No
Problem solving Developed through staff- and self-directed project design and execution.
Research skills Students will be required to complete a number of research projects and design/execute at least one which will involve: problem identification, research design, data acquisition, analysis, presentation and interpretation.
Subject Specific Skills Observation and interpretation of human/physical landscape phenomena.
Team work Developed through a series of staff directed and student devised projects.

Reading List

Essential Reading
Cloke, P., Cook, I., Crang, P., Goodwin, M., Painter, J. & Philo, C (2004) Practising Human Geography. Sage Primo search Goudie, A. (1990) Geomorphological Techniques Unwin Hyman Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5