GEG-30033 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

To become an effective geographer means learning how geographical knowledge is produced, as well as how to use it. This advanced final-year field module provides the opportunity for students to acquire, extend and apply a range of research skills through authentic field research in an appropriate research setting. Through its in-depth, focused nature, it offers participating students a high-quality and high-value learning experience, and the opportunity to test out their own ideas, to gain confidence, and to work independently and as part of a team.

1. To further develop the fieldwork skills of Geography students by extending the repertoire of skills and expertise that have previously been
gained by students at level 5.
2. To expose students to a wider range of methods and techniques of relevance to conducting geographical research and in the context of a
different physical, socio-economic, cultural and political environment.
3. To highlight the importance of the `positionality¿ of the researcher, and the need for flexibility and adaptability to secure research goals.
4. To complete a review of literature in the style expected of an academic journal.
5. To explore, collate and present the results of a defined research topic in the field, and to receive appropriate feedback from peers and
academic staff.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify and apply a range of appropriate research strategies, methods and techniques of relevance to a range of geographical phenomena: 1,2
integrate information from primary (e.g. fieldwork) and secondary (e.g. literature) data sources to develop new insights into a number of key geographical themes: 1,3
work independently and as part of a group to conduct geographical research in an unfamiliar environment, including collection and analysis of data: 3
reflect on the importance of the `positionality¿ of the researcher, and conduct research in such a way that acknowledges differences
in perspective based on socio-cultural characteristics: 1,2,3
read and synthesize existing knowledge on a topic of relevance to the field site and students' disciplinary backgrounds: 1,2

Study hours

Semester 1
12 hours lectures / workshops / groupwork
12 hours practical work on campus (field work, lab work)
100 hours journal review (10 hours reviewing others' work as part of formative assessment, 90 hours independent work)
26 hours preparation and reading for practical work
Semester 2
10 hours preparation lectures / workshops / groupwork
8 hours practical work on campus (field work, lab work)
64 hours (8 days * 8 hours) residential field work
68 independent study preparing research proposal and presentation

School Rules

An additional fee is payable for this module to cover the costs of travel and accomodation.
Student numbers on this module are necessarily capped for logistic reasons. In the event that
the module is oversubscribed, selection criteria will be based on the overall average marks
attained to date.

Description of Module Assessment