2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG1240 Geographical Scholarship and Fieldwork
20 creditsClass Size: 250
Module manager: Dr Myles Gould
Email: m.i.gould@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is mutually exclusive with
| GEOG1241 | Geographical Scholarship for Geography-Geology Integrated De |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module will provide you with comprehensive study skills including communication, research, using the library effectively, IT and field work. It will also introduce you to key conceptual issues that are important to geographical inquiry and understand. There is a combination of lectures, regular tutorials and group work on the field project. This will provide a good skill basis for other modules.Objectives
On completion of this module students should:i. Appreciate and understand geographical scholarship and be able to assemble coherent arguments on geographical topics.
ii. Have acquired transferable skills and be able to demonstrate these through Personal Development Planning.
iii. Have developed Communication and Information Technology Skills including ability to use spreadsheet and presentation software, to access electronic library resources and to search the World Wide Web effectively.
iv. Have gained first hand field knowledge of a range of physical, environmental, urban, social and resource topics as presented in the Level 1 Geography BA and BSc Programmes.
v. Have gained experience in using observational, analytical and survey techniques in the field, working in teams with other students.
vi. Have learnt how to prepare and present reports on field work in a field environment.
vii. Have gained understanding of some key conceptual issues in Geography
Learning outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of the geographical knowledge covered in Level One modules
- Demonstrate understanding of key concepts in Geography
- Demonstrate an appreciation of Geography's position in a wider disciplinary context.
Skills outcomes
B Cognitive Skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
C Practical/Professional Skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
C2 Undertake effective field work (with due regard for safety and risk assessment)
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data
D Key Skills
D1 Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical
presentations.
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively
Syllabus
Semester 1: Geography Scholarship/Skills
1. Introduction to geographical scholarship
2. Introduction to Leeds and walking tour
3. Library skills for geographical research
4. Writing skills
5. Communicating and engaging with your sources & citation
6. Reading research papers
7. Guide to Assessment
8. Time management
9. Ethics
10. Introduction to Semester 2 Fieldwork
Semester 2: Geography in today's world
11. Introduction and the early history of geographical thinking
12. Geography and global exploration
13. The evolution of geography as an academic discipline
14. Geography in society today
15. Geography in school and university
16. Science and truth
17. Subjectivity and objectivity in geography
18. Geography and questions of scale
19. Geography and questions of time
20. Conclusion: the place of geography in a wider world
Plus semester 2 Local Fieldwork study.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| Lecture | 20 | 1.00 | 20.00 |
| Practical | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Tutorial | 3 | 0.33 | 1.00 |
| Tutorial | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 160.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 40.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
- Working on Communication and Information Technology Project (12 hours)- Research, reading and writing for 5 tutorial essays/literature (80 hours)
- Working on Field class analysis, reports and presentations (28 hours)
- Reading & Revising for semester 2 exam (40 hours)
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Assessments- Essay and presentation due dates will be set by individual tutors throughout semesters 1 and 2.
- The skills portfolio will be due on Friday of Week 8 in semester 1.
- The Field Class presentation in semester 2 will be in week 20 (Reading week) and will be arranged by field group leaders.
- The Field Class group report will be due end of Week 23.
- Feedback on essays, field reports and presentations will be provided on the School of Geography assignment/presentation report sheets. Additional written comments will be provided on essays and reports.
- The skills portfolio will be marked using a generic mark sheet and additional written comments will be provided.
- Feedback will be delivered to students in subsequent tutorials or within 2 weeks of submission where possible.
Plus regular tutorial meetings & three one-to-one meeting with tutor.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Tutorial Performance | 3 essays @ 1,500 words each. Tutorial Essay assessments due dates will be set by individual tutors throughout semesters 1&2. | 30.00 |
| Portfolio | skills portfolio | 10.00 |
| Group Project | 1 report per group @ 3,000 words. An alternative assessment will provide for individual student who fails the group fieldwork. | 17.00 |
| Literature Review | 1 @ 1,500 words | 10.00 |
| Oral Presentation | 1 group presentation @ c6 slides (on fieldwork). ALL elements of this module must be passed to progress. | 8.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 75.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 15 mins | 25.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 25.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 10/03/2009
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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