GEG-20010 - Practical Human Geography

Coordinator: Alexandre Nobajas Room: WSF14 Tel: +44 1782 7 34962

Lecture Time: See Timetable...

Level: Level 5

Credits: 15

Study Hours: 150

School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to a variety of specialist field and computer-based techniques of particular relevance to Human Geography, such as primary and secondary data gathering, analysis and visualisation. It builds upon core concepts and techniques introduced in the level 4 practical programme whilst providing a portfolio of skills applicable to level 6 independent study projects. Training and first-hand experience is provided in practical classes, which are supplemented by a series of exercises and assessments which encourage students to think and have a strategy about how to solve the issues presented to them. A particular effort is made to emphasise the relevance of the techniques covered to appropriate careers pathways.

Aims

This module aims to provide a variety of essential field and laboratory practical skills relevant to human geographers. It builds upon concepts and techniques introduced in the level I practical programme and provides a portfolio of skills applicable to level III independent research projects (dissertation modules GEG-30006 and GEG-30008). Training and first-hand experience in relevant techniques is provided in practical classesand extended group projects are used to highlight the research applications of these techniques

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/geg-20010/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

use a range of specialist geographical techniques (field and computer-based) to collect, analyse, present and interpret a range of primary and secondary data related to Human Geography; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
apply these techniques in a problem-solving context and report the key findings in a written format; will be achieved by assessments: 3
work effectively as part of a team to complete a group exercise within a specified time period; will be achieved by assessments: 2
evaluate the quality of geographical data and determine the most effective techniques for the analysis and presentation of these data; will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
identify and discuss the methods of data collection and analysis and the associated research findings. will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3

Study hours

33 hours laboratory work (11 x 3 hour practicals)
117 hours project preparation and completion

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Practical Assessment weighted 25%
ASSESSMENT OF EXERCISES
Exercise covering the statistical methods explained during the practicals. Students are required to complete a series of mathematical questions regarding the statistical analysis of census data they have performed during the practical sessions. The answers to said questions are then uploaded to blackboard.

2: Group Report weighted 40%
REPORT OF GROUP PROJECT
Students work in small groups (~4-6 students per group) to produce a group report focusing on the primary data methods covered during the practical sessions. Students are required to create a questionnaire and an interview, which need to comply with a series of requirements in order to be correct (e.g., questionnaire must be designed to be deliverable in 5 minutes, interview must be designed to be completed in ~ 1-hour).

3: Project weighted 35%
GIS Project
Completion of a individual GIS project relating to a series of exercises run in the practical sessions. Students submit a computer-based map, with accompanying annotations. Part of the exercise is for students to determine the length and detail of annotations required to accompany the map (equivalent to ~ 1000 words).

GEG-20010 - Module Specification School of Geography, Geology and the Environment Faculty of Natural Sciences

GEG-20010 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences