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GEOG20210

Academic Year 2024/2025

Fieldstudies in Ireland (GEOG20210)

Subject:
Geography
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Arlene Crampsie
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Fieldwork Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

12
Tutorial

4
Field Trip/External Visits

24
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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: There are three tutorials as part of this module. These tutorials are graded on preparation work and participation in class activities. Each tutorial is worth 5% of the overall module grade. Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 9 Graded No
15
 No
Group Work Assignment: In groups, students will develop a wiki entry outlining the geographies of a particular theme relevant to the fieldtrip. This will be presented in the tutorial slot in Week 7. Week 7 Graded No
30
 No
Reflective Assignment: You will complete a detailed field notebook during the fieldtrip, supplemented with results from fieldtrip exercises, photographs and drawings, and a 1000 word reflection on your learning post-trip. Week 10 Graded No
55
 No

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 Arlene Crampsie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gerald Mills Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jonathan Turner Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Rachel Bayer Tutor
Mr Juan Esteban Quintero Marin Tutor
Emily Rick Tutor
Mr Dominic Robinson Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
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