Description

Geographies of Flows: Commodities, Migration, Mobilities Field Course

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

The Geographies of Flows: Commodities, Migration, Mobilities Field Course aims to enable you to engage in virtual fieldwork, data collection and analysis using a range of digital methodologies. You will be able to design, propose and carry out a research project on a topic including one of the following: flows of commodities; flows of migration; flows of mobilities. This module will allow you to: identify a research topic and appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative data for collection and analysis; design a research project with awareness of its feasibility and associated issues around risk, ethics, and project management; work collaboratively with other students, and develop a critical analysis of collected data. The field course will include optional face-to-face field days (if possible) using South West England as a setting.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The field course (online and face-to-face, if possible) aims to enable you to engage in virtual fieldwork, data collection and analysis using a range of digital methodologies. The field course will include optional face-to-face field days in South West England. The module is focused on engaging with geographies of flows as an overall research topic. You will be able to design, propose and carry out a research project on a topic including one of the following: flows of commodities; flows of migration; flows of mobilities. You will be able to deploy a range of research methodologies, including digital methodologies, to assess qualitative and quantitative data. You will be able to conduct data analysis and produce critical assessments of the data. In doing the above, you will gain experience in designing research projects, carrying them out and being aware of issues of feasibility, risk, ethics, and project management. Assessed work will involve both group-based, online presentations, and individual written work.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Identify, formulate and evaluate research questions or problems with limited guidance.
• 2. Describe selected methodologies and techniques used in collecting, analysing and presenting geographical information, and apply these with limited guidance.
• 3. Discuss specific case studies and examples relevant to specific themes relating to the module.
• 4. Describe and explain the results of practical fieldwork and relate results to existing bodies of geographical knowledge.
• 5. 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...

• 6. Identify and apply a diverse range of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding in human geography.
• 7. Apply geographical concepts in different situations.
• 8. Discuss reciprocal relationships between physical and human environments.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 9. Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively and fluently by written, oral and visual means.
• 10. Undertake independent/self-directed study/learning (including time management) to achieve consistent, proficient and sustained attainment.
• 11. Use technologies effectively and appropriately and with limited guidance to select, analyse, present and communicate information.
• 12. Work as a participant and leader of a group and contribute effectively to the achievement of objectives.

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

The field course module will be based on exploring flows in human geography. This will be undertaken through online learning, staff-led seminars, and student-led group research, as well as optional field days (if possible). This will be based around the following indicative themes:

• Theme 1: Flows of commodities.
• Theme 2: Flows of migration.
• Theme 3: Flows of mobilities.

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 are unable to engage with the field course 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 deferral period:

• A 2000-word essay, related to key themes introduced on the module;
• A 1000-word project report, based upon desk-based research on a theme, site, or issue related to the field course locations.

Both pieces of assessment will be devised in discussion with the module convenor.

If, having completed the field course learning activities, you are unable to complete the individual research report for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be required to submit a 2000-word essay in the August deferral period. If you are deferred in the group research proposal presentation, you will be required to submit an individual 1000-word project report in the August deferral period.

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 fail the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%), you will be required to submit a 2000-word essay on key module themes and a 1000-word project report based upon desk-based research on a theme, site, or issue related to the field course. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Rose, G. (2016) Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to Researching with Visual Materials. 4th ed. London, SAGE Publications. (Read chapter 2, ‘Towards a critical visual methodology’).
• Clifford, N., Cope, M., Gillespie, T., & French, S. (Eds.). (2016). Key methods in geography. Sage, London.
• DeLyser, D., Herbert, S., Aitken, S., Crang, M. & McDowell, L. (Eds) (2010) The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Geography, London, SAGE Publications.
• Mills, S. (2013) Cultural–historical geographies of the archive: fragments, objects and ghosts. Geography Compass 7(10): 701-713.
• Phillips, R., & Johns, J. (2012). Fieldwork for Human Geography. Sage, London.
• Sheller, M. and Urry, J. (2008) The new mobilities paradigm. Environment and Planning A: Society and Space 38(2): 207-226.
• Spinney, J. 2009. Cycling the city: movement, meaning and method. Geography Compass 3.2: 817-835.

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Flows, mobilities, commodities, migration, cities