Human Geography Seville Field Trip

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

Residential field work is an essential part of your degree programme at Exeter. This module provides an opportunity to develop and apply research skills in real world environments, normally consisting of two parts:

• Pre-trip preparation, involving a mix of lectures, projects and self-directed study that provide you with the necessary background information and data to successfully undertake the field trip.
• The trip itself, which lasts six days and consists of a series of staff-led days and individual/group project exercises.

Geography FCH students may elect to take this module if they are taking 60 or more credits in Geography at stage 2, including GEO2325  Research Methods for Human Geography (15 credits) and GEO2326 Research Design in Human Geography (15 credits).

Module aims - intentions of the module

The field trip has two main aims:

• to provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through lecture-based modules to 'real-world' geographical study, and
• to give you further preparatory training for undertaking a dissertation (GEO3311 / GEO3312) building on skills developed in stage 1.

By attending the field trip and completing the formatively and summatively assessed coursework in this module you will develop your academic and professional skills. You will gain knowledge of how to tackle research problems in the field and how to manage your time and workload effectively, working individually and in a group.

The module is designed to enhance positive graduate attributes. The module seeks to develop:

• Proficiency in developing and evaluating research designs and methodologies, especially with regard to identifying and adapting approaches for specific settings
• Applied skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Confidence in assessing, interpreting and critically evaluating academic or other types of literature
• Group management and interpersonal skills
• Confidence in delivering verbal presentations as a group

This module provides you with significant experience in designing and conducting fieldwork and research, through group led research projects. You will also gain insight into various urban issues, processes and problems through in situ activities and research-led teaching from module staff, which will advance your understanding of these issues in Seville and other global cities.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe selected field-based methodologies and techniques used in collecting, analysing and presenting geographical information in human geography, and apply these with limited guidance
• 2. Identify/formulate and evaluate questions or problems with limited guidance
• 3. Design, execute and report on a short research project (with due consideration of safety and risk assessment)
• 4. Apply, interpret and use qualitative and quantitative information effectively and appropriately
• 5. Describe and explain the results of practical fieldwork and relate results to existing bodies of geographical knowledge
• 6. Discuss specific case studies and examples relevant to specific themes relating to the field trip (e.g. countryside planning, historical geography)
• 7. Collect, interpret, evaluate and combine different types of geographical evidence and information

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Identify a diverse range of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding in human geography
• 9. Apply geographical concepts in different situations
• 10. Outline the nature of change within human environments
• 11. Discuss reciprocal relationships between physical and human environments
• 12. Explain the significance of spatial relationships as influences upon human and physical environments

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 13. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means
• 14. Use C&IT effectively and appropriately and with limited guidance to select, analyse, present and communicate geographical information
• 15. Undertake independent/self-directed study/learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment
• 16. Reflect on the process of learning and evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses
• 17. Appreciate the practical applications of research methods in different settings and reflect on these within the context of student employability and professional development

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

Before the field trip:

A series of lectures and workshop support sessions to enable you to prepare for the field trip.

During the field trip:

• A formative exercise to develop field work notebook skills
• A one day orientation walking tour of Seville
• Four days of group project field work data collection and analysis, with limited staff guidance
• Group project oral and poster presentations

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

If you fail the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) or if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be re-assessed for field work skills via two new assessments to be submitted for the August refer/defer period:

• A 20 minute PowerPoint presentation for a project agreed between the module convenor and student, to involve the equivalent of six days of field work;
• A 2000 word project report, based on feedback from the presentation.

The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Reading lists appropriate to the fieldtrip will be issued during the previous term.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6590

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Field trip