GEOG20210 Fieldstudies in Ireland

Academic Year 2021/2022

Fieldwork is where Geographers learn to “do” Geography (France and Haigh, 2017). It is a form of learning through experience that builds a bridge between concepts and ideas introduced in the classroom and the “real” world (Fuller, Edmondson, France, Higgitt, & Ratinen, 2006; Hovorka & Wolf, 2009). Fieldwork is an important part of a holistic geography education as it also builds skills in observation, comprehension and problem solving (Maskall & Stokes, 2008). This core module develops fieldwork skills and provides an opportunity to apply them in a particular region of Ireland. Preparatory lectures and tutorials hone your skills and knowledge, before a three-day (two-night) residential fieldcourse over the March fieldwork/study break. A range of themes will be covered which may include urban and rural sustainable development; political geographies; geoheritage; and landscape evolution and change. There will be a cost associated with the fieldwork that should not exceed €250.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module, students should have:
1. Developed and demonstrated their skill at understanding and reading a 'real' environment.
2. Enhanced their understanding of geography as the integrating discipline between the social and natural sciences;
3. Enhanced their competency in observation, measurement, data gathering, analysis and synthesis, problem-solving, communication and collaborative working.
4. Keen understanding and awareness of ethical issues related to field work data collection, management, analysis and synthesis.

Indicative Module Content:

This module will focus on the geographies of a particular Irish region through lectures, small group tutorials and fieldwork. Indicative topics include:

The practice of fieldwork (1): Why do we do it?
The practice of fieldwork (2): Ethics, logistics, health and safety
Historical, social and political geographies of the border region
Physical and environmental geographies of the border region
Urban geographies of the border region
Human-nature interactions in the border region

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Tutorial

4

Field Trip/External Visits

24

Autonomous Student Learning

60

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
A diverse range of teaching and learning approaches will be adopted in the module ranging from large-group lectures, to small-group tutorials and incorporating individual and group preparatory work. A substantial component of the module will consist of experiential learning, specifically residential fieldwork, where students will be guided through processes of data collection and analysis in the field. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Drawing on literature and your field notebook, you will write a 2,000 word report synthesising your learning. Students who do not attend the field course can not submit this assignment. Week 11 n/a Graded No

40

Group Project: In groups, students will create a wiki entry outlining the geographies of a particular location along the fieldtrip route. This will be presented in the final tutorial before departure. Week 7 n/a Graded No

25

Journal: Students will undertake a number of different exercises in the field. These along with your comprehensive field notes will be recorded in a learning journal.
Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

20

Seminar: You will be required to complete 3 graded tutorials in each of weeks 2,4, and 6. Preparatory work must be uploaded to bright space before the tutorials. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

15


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

This is a highly interactive module and informal feedback will be ongoing. However students will get specific group feedback on their preparatory wiki and presentation; ongoing feedback in the field during activities; and individual feedback on their final report.

Name Role
Dr Alma Clavin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Arlene Crampsie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Niamh Moore Cherry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jonathan Turner Lecturer / Co-Lecturer