GV3HGF: Human Geography Field Class

Module code: GV3HGF

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Mike Goodman, email: m.k.goodman@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE GV3FC OR TAKE GV3ESF OR TAKE GV3PGF (Compulsory)

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

This module will explore economic and social change in an urban context and how this relates to globalisation and other global processes.

Fieldwork is a fundamental component of Human Geography degrees. This module is designed to cement and allow you to put into practice key concepts in Human Geography through field research in a real-world setting through experiential learning and using a range of contemporary field techniques. Participants make a contribution towards the financial cost of the trip. The highest standards of conduct and professionalism are expected from all participants.

The field class aims to equip you with the skills to apply important contemporary techniques and approaches required by human geographers to undertake research in the field and to develop transferable skills, including teamwork

Fieldwork requires students to adapt and evolve to changing situations in a real-world setting and so this field class will help you develop skills in lateral thinking and require you to be resilient in the face of uncertainty.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Collect, record, organise, analyse and present a range of types of field data and competently use maps and other navigation aids
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the economic, political, and social dynamics of a specific place
3. Demonstrate collaborative team-working skills, including planning work programme and selection of appropriate methods of working.
4. Recognise and demonstrate the importance of keeping a consistent and detailed field notebook and be able to synthesise information collected in the field and material from the academic literature into a coherently argued report

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.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The field class will take place in September before the start of Welcome Week. During the field trip, you will participate in visits to key sites/locations and undertake field research in a real-world setting through experiential learning and using a range of contemporary field techniques. You will work in small groups and complete a team project as part of the assessment.

Study hours

At least 45 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.

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

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.

Daily group discussions

Reassessment

Additional costs