GEOG20210 Fieldstudies in Ireland

Academic Year 2024/2025

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.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

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

Not yet recorded.

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
Emily Rick Tutor