Description

Bay of Naples Field Course

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

The Bay of Naples field course is for students interested in interdisciplinarity: in how concepts and methods from Physical and Human Geography can be integrated to address contemporary societal challenges. You will undertake two main activities as part of the module. First, you will work in a group throughout Term 2 to conduct desk and internet-based research based on one of a selection of research themes in the areas of environment and sustainability, that you will supplement with experience in the field and present at a research conference on the final day of the field course. Second, you will work individually during and after the field course to develop a fieldwork extended essay based on an environment and sustainability theme related to your learning experience on the field course (including the outward rail journey). This module provides an opportunity to develop and apply research in real world environments. The pre-field course preparation involves a lecture, group workshops and self-directed study that provide you with the necessary background information and data to successfully undertake the field course. The field course itself consists of a series of staff-led days and individual/group research project exercises. Locations will include the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Herculaneum, Sorrento and Vesuvius. On the last day of the field course students present results from their group research projects carried out during Term 2 and the field course.

Please note that in the event of the field course not running (due to circumstances that compromise the feasibility of the trip), students will still be able to complete the module through the provision of an alternative learning experience.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This field course aims to provide an inter-disciplinary field setting for Geography students who would like to pursue aspects of physical and human geography in an integrated manner. The field trip also aims to:

1. Provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through lecture-based modules to geographical study of real problems in the Bay of Naples.
2. Enable you to develop skills for working in an inter-disciplinary environment and appreciating the natural and social science components to tackle contemporary geographical problems.
3. Develop skills of group working and appreciation for the complementary nature of social and natural science approaches.
4. Foster students’ academic confidence through the development and presentation of an independent group research project.
5. Develop a detailed understanding of an environment and sustainability theme through fieldwork observation and academic reflection in the form of a fieldwork extended essay.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Develop a critical, place-based understanding of selected human and physical geography themes
• 2. Articulate and evaluate key debates, concepts and approaches for a selected human and/or physical geography theme
• 3. Design, execute, analyse and report on a piece of research for a selected human and/or physical geography theme

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Apply geographical concepts in different situations
• 5. Identify a diverse range of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding in human and physical geography
• 6. Apply techniques for interpreting geographical phenomena in place-based settings

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 7. Work effectively in a group setting
• 8. Communicate complex ideas, concepts and theories
• 9. Undertake self-directed and independent study
• 10. Reflect on experiences and draw lessons for personal development

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

Term 2, weeks 1-10:

Pre-course sessions include an introductory lecture in week 1. There will then be weekly workshops to support student groups to design and begin collecting data for their allocated project. These workshops will include a formative presentation of the research proposal from each student group. Students will also submit a formative research proposal.

Term 2, week 11:

The field course itself consists of a series of staff-led days and individual/group research project exercises. Locations will include the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Herculaneum, Sorrento and Vesuvius. On the last day of the field course students present results from their group research projects carried out during Term 2 and the field course. Throughout the field course (including the travel days), students will be encouraged to make observations and consider the topic for their extended essay assessment.

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 any of the field course module assessments for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be re-assessed for field work skills via the following assessments, to be submitted for the August deferral period:

• A 1500-word project report, based upon desk-based research on a theme, site, or issue related to the Bay of Naples.
• A 2000-word essay, related to key themes introduced in the pre-departure workshops;

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 1500-word project essay and a 2000-word academic essay. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• A module handbook and additional resources appropriate to the fieldtrip will be issued at the start of the module

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Field course, interdisciplinary, geography