GV2FLD: Field Class
Module code: GV2FLD
Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science
Credits: 20
Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)
When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2
Module convenor: Dr Alison MacLeod, email: alison.macleod@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 20 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
Fieldwork is a fundamental component of Geography and Environmental Science degrees. This module is designed to introduce Geography and Environmental Science students to key concepts and skills of the discipline that will allow them to undertake field research in a real-world setting using a range of contemporary methods and equipment for data gathering and to experience working as part of a team. The specialist activities undertaken on this module will be tailored to the specific degree programme you are registered on in order that the training you receive is authentic and relevant to your future ambitions and to the skills you are likely to need for dissertation field research. The highest standards of conduct and professionalism are expected from all participants.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that you will be able to:
- Collect and record data using a range of geographical and scientific techniques and approaches (as appropriate to your degree programme) and be able to analyse and interpret this in the context of wider academic literature.
- Evaluate the impact of natural processes on human activity and the landscape, and vice versa
- Demonstrate and develop skills in resilience, working in new and unfamiliar locations, lateral thinking and collaborative team-working, including planning your work programme and selection of appropriate methods of working.
- Recognise and demonstrate the importance of keeping an organised field notebook and be able to display and synthesise a wide range of types of field data in a format appropriate for oral presentation.
Module content
The location of the field class 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, with student-centred work where emphasis is placed upon the assembly of appropriate quantitative and qualitative information and critical assessment of what this reveals. Small group or independent research work will take place throughout the week. Please note that attendance at all preparation sessions is a pre-requisite for going on the field class. Failure to attend these sessions will result in a mark of zero for the module. A variety of field research techniques will be introduced and applied in order to reinforce subject knowledge and develop transferable skills.
This module will explore geographical processes that occur in the physical environment at a specific UK/European locality and set these in the context of global processes.
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
Students will be briefed about the dates to the field class early in Semester 1, with a further information session just prior to the vacation at the end of Semester 1. The field class will take place during the Easter Vacation but the exact dates may vary each year so please check with the module convenor if you need to know these prior to the briefing sessions commencing. Field class preparation in the form of lectures and hands-on practicals will take place early in Semester 2. These will allow you to get to know your group and to become familiar with the concepts and methods prior to departing on the trip. You will also be trained in notetaking as part of the preparation. During the field trip, you will participate in visits to key sites/locations and use field equipment for making observations and taking measurements to support field research in a real-world setting. You may have the opportunity to engage with local community groups and experts in order to enhance your experience of particular topics. You will work in small groups and this will lead in to completing a team project as part of the assessment (oral presentation/screencast).
Study hours
At least 90 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
| Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 2 | ||
| Seminars | 6 | ||
| Tutorials | |||
| Project Supervision | |||
| Demonstrations | |||
| Practical classes and workshops | 4 | ||
| Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
| Scheduled revision sessions | |||
| Feedback meetings with staff | 5 | ||
| Fieldwork | 60 | ||
| External visits | |||
| Work-based learning | |||
| Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
| Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | 10 | ||
| Feedback meetings with staff | 5 | ||
| Other | |||
| Other (details) | |||
| Placement and study abroad | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement | |||
| Study abroad | |||
| Independent study hours | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent study hours | 108 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
| Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral assessment | Group in-person oral presentation OR Group recorded screencast | 20 | 10 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions | Groups will decide which field day they will use for their assessment. Groups can present in-person or via a screencast. Both versions will be submitted and feedback returned via Blackboard. Both formats will be completed by the final day of the trip, or in the days directly following the trip. Groups who submit via screencast will provide responses to questions provided by markers prior to final marks being allocated, while those selecting in-person will respond at the presentation. | |
| Set exercise | Enhanced field notebook | 80 | Notebook completed in the field following guidance provided | Observations and results obtained should be integrated into the wider literature to $£enhance' their notes and demonstrate their ability to critique their work, to demonstrate understanding of how their work compares to similar studies, or to consider the wider impact of the research undertaken on communities or the environment. Students may choose how they present their final enhanced notebook: Hard copy Electronic document Oral recording |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Training will be given on the techniques required to succeed on this field class, some of these will be undertaken in the field prior to departure with staff providing formative feedback on how to improve, while other more location-specific aspects will be introduced on the trip with opportunities to ask questions and receive feedback. Activities and skills such as notetaking and sketching will be covered in training prior to departure and daily class and group discussions and drop-in sessions at the end of each field day will help answer questions on field recording which will allow students to improve their practice.
Reassessment
| Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set exercise | Re-submission of enhanced field notebook (if fieldwork was undertaken) or completion of alternative assignment. | 100 | 4,000 words | During the University resit period | Where possible reassessment will draw on the work that the student completed in the field to permit them to enhance this using wider reading for resubmission. Where this is not deemed feasible, perhaps due to a lack of primary resource to draw on, an alternative assessment will be set and any additional training required for this will be provided. |
Additional costs
| Item | Additional information | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Computers and devices with a particular specification | It would be helpful for one student in each working group to have a device with access to PowerPoint. However, other modes of presentation are acceptable (provision of flip chart paper). Access to Blackboard during the trip would simplify accessing reading material to support the enhanced notebook. | |
| Printing and binding | ||
| Required textbooks | ||
| Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | Appropriate clothing and footwear for fieldwork at the field class destination is required. This includes warm waterproof clothing and good walking boots. | £100-£200 |
| Specialist equipment or materials | ||
| Travel, accommodation, and subsistence | Students will be required to pay the costs of their own food during the field-class. Breakfast in the hotel is provided and included. An estimated cost is given, but this could be lower or higher depending on personal choice. There are a range of places which should suit a variety of budgets. | £150 |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.