Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

Students must have completed either GEO2043 Key Methods for Human Geographers OR GEO2137 Key Methods for Physical Geographers (they do not need to be on both)

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to provide a critical understanding of the place of fieldwork in geography and, by means of practical fieldwork, an understanding of a key geographical issue in the north east of England. It provides an option for accessible, local, non-residential fieldwork, challenges students to think about the theory and practice of doing fieldwork ‘at home’, and offers an opportunity for an in-depth engagement with the geography of our home region, the north east of England.

Students will work with staff and peers to identify an issue suitable to be explored by practical fieldwork and work to develop a plan for fieldwork to be carried out under the supervision of a member of staff during a ‘field week’ in the Easter vacation.

As with all fieldwork modules, this module will demand considerable independent learning, critical thinking, planning and will enable students to understand the value and purpose of fieldwork in the geography curriculum.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introductory lectures and seminars (start of semester 2: 2 x 2 hours = 4 hours)
-       The place of fieldwork
-       What is ‘the field’?
-       North East geographies
-       Doing fieldwork
2. Planning seminars and tutorials (semester 2: 4 hours)
-       4 small-group and/or one-to-one meetings with relevant staff members to plan and develop fieldwork
3. Field work (Easter vacation – 5 7-hour days: 35 hours)
- meetings, archival work, site visits, observations, practical work, interviews, etc. as appropriate

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

-       A critical understanding of theories of and approaches to the study of a key geographical issue in the north east of England
-       A critical understanding of fieldwork ‘at home’
-       A critical understanding of ‘the field’ and its relationship to library, lecture and laboratory-based learning
-       A critical understanding of the place of fieldwork in the geography curriculum

Intended Skill Outcomes

-       Ability to work on own initiative and identify a key geographical issue suitable to be explored by means of practical field work
-       Ability to design a fieldwork plan and schedule relevant field activities
-       Ability to plan fieldwork to gain access to and information from experts, field visits and other sources
-       Ability to discuss field observations with peers and staff
-       Ability to connect field observations to academic literatures
-       Ability to reflect on learning in the field
-       Ability to produce fieldwork report

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The introductory lectures place the planned fieldwork in both conceptual and empirical context, allowing students to understand the value and purpose of fieldwork and begin to plan their own work. The small group teaching supports students’ independent learning, providing a structure for the planning of their fieldwork. The ‘field week’ forms the primary focus of the module, giving students the opportunity to develop both fieldwork skills and substantive knowledge.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The plan and presentation structure the students’ learning as they develop and plan their fieldwork, ensuring that they are meeting the interim learning outcomes and are prepared for practical fieldwork. The fieldwork report will assess the students’ ability to develop, plan and execute fieldwork at home and to reflect on fieldwork as a form of geographical learning. Together the assessments enable the students to demonstrate their achievement of both the knowledge and skill outcomes.

General Notes

N/A