Module Information

Module Identifier
GG22100
Module Title
Level 2 Geography Tutorial
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Dr Rhys Dafydd Jones
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Mutually Exclusive
DA22110
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Tutorial 11 x 2 Hour Tutorials
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay  Students should note that attendance at tutorials is compulsory, as is submission of work by the deadline set by the tutor.  1500 words  30%
Semester Assessment Literature Review  Students who fail the module will normally be allowed a resit, which will involve the resubmission of failed on non submitted assignments.  1500 words  30%
Semester Assessment Dissertation/project proposal  1800 words  40%
Supplementary Assessment Essay  1500 words  30%
Supplementary Assessment Literature Review  1500 words  30%
Supplementary Assessment Dissertation/project proposal  1800 words  40%

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Write in an academic style.

2. Critically engage with contemporary literature in Geography

3. Demonstrate knowledge of the development of Geography in recent decades

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

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

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

7. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues in Geography research.

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

This module combines pastoral and personal development responsibilities of the personal tutor with the development of core study skills that are central to success in Higher Education.
The ten sessions (which include personal tutor meetings) will address the following themes:
• Summarising and synthesizing academic literature;
• Forming and supporting arguments;
• Key debates and approaches to human and/or physical geography;
• Revision techniques;
• Forming research questions;
• Ethics and fieldwork in safety;
• Presentation techniques.

Other issues relating to pastoral development – such as signposting university and local services, the expectations and challenges of university life, time and resource management, reviewing academic performance, and employability and career aspirations - can be discussed in designated personal tutor slots.

Brief description

The Level 2 tutorial module is obligatory for 2nd year students following Single, Major, 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 four 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. Personal tutor meetings are embedded within this module. Second, the module will focus on the theory and practice of geography and contemporary debates within Physical and/or Human Geography. Third, it develops research skills through focussing on identifying gaps, forming research questions, and designing research strategies. Fourth, 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.

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

The module is assessed through three assignments: an essay (1,500 words, 30%); a literature review (1,500 words, 30%); and a dissertation/joint honours proposal (40%).

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number This is not explicitly addressed in this module.
Communication Students will be required to present written work in an appropriate academic register.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be encouraged to respond to feedback.
Information Technology Students will be required to use word processing technology for the coursework.
Personal Development and Career planning Personal development and employability issues are embedded in the personal tutor sessions.
Problem solving Students will be required to identify a research problem and to plan a research strategy
Research skills Students will be required to research and evaluate and analyse information for coursework
Subject Specific Skills The three assignments address key debates and themes in geography.
Team work While not assessed, there will be opportunities for students to work as a team.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5