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GG2FR-Regional Science Fieldclass

Module Provider: Geography
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Dr S Musson
Pre-requisites: GG1HGT
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: s.musson@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The field class aims to develop students' geographical understanding through experiential learning. It focuses upon several key general themes in contemporary human geography, such as the dynamics of urban environments, the shaping of national and local heritage, social polarization, and the effects of uneven economic growth. A number of different field techniques will be used to investigate selected issues.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of this module it is expected that a student will be able to:

  • Organise materials that have been collected during the fieldclass to construct examples of key processes
  • Relate particular features of an urban environment to the wider academic literature
  • Apply research skills to real-world examples
  • Assess the changing form and function of a city region
  • Critically evaluate the interaction of physical and socio-economic processes in the creation of distinctive landscapes
  • Select and apply appropriate techniques in order to successfully carry out individual and group project work
  • Synthesise information collected in the field and material from the academic literature into a coherently argued field project report

    Additional outcomes:
    Fieldwork necessitates teamwork and also requires a high level of ingenuity and tenacity. Students will begin to develop these skills through working in teams directly gathering field data together with the analysis, interpretation and presentation of the results.

    Outline content:
    The field class location will be a large city in the UK or another part of Europe. Since 2001 the field class has taken place in Dublin. The location will be chosen in order to help promote curiosity about the relationships between particular localities and the wider world. Typically, it will take the form of visits to key sites/locations, contributions from local experts and interest groups, and more student-centred work where emphasis is placed upon the assembly of appropriate quantitative and qualitative information and critical assessment of what this reveals.

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    Fieldclass preparation in the form of lectures will take place in the last three weeks of Term 3. The fieldclass will take place in the Summer Vacation, either early July or late September, and will have a duration of seven days with five days of work and two of travel to and from Reading. The programme will be composed of fieldwork, project work, analysis, lectures and presentations.

    Contact hours:

      3 Summer + Vacation    
    Lectures 6    
    Tutorials/seminars      
    Practicals      
    Other contact (eg study visits) 48    
           
    Total hours 54    
           
    Number of essays or assignments 1    
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    Students will write a field report/essay of 2500 words (maximum).
    Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
    Examinations:
    There will be no examination in this module.
    Requirements for a pass:
    A mark of 40% overall
    Reassessment arrangements:
    Failure in the coursework will necessitate a re-submission of the Field Report/essay

    Last updated: 23 November 2009

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