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Bay of Naples Field Course

Module description

The Bay of Naples fieldtrip is for students interested in interdisciplinarity: in how concepts and methods from Physical and Human Geography can be integrated to address contemporary societal challenges. During the fieldtrip students will complete field notebooks and develop skills in field observation, visual methods and risk analysis among other techniques. Students will also conduct their own research based on ideas they develop throughout term two in the areas of environment and sustainability. This module provides an opportunity to develop and apply research skills in real world environments. The pre-trip preparation involves a lecture, workshops and self-directed study that provide you with the necessary background information and data to successfully undertake the field trip and sufficient time to develop a comprehensive group-based research project proposal. The trip itself consists of a series of staff-led days and individual/group research project exercises. On the last day of the trip students present results from their own research projects carried out during the fieldtrip.

Please note that in the event of the field course not running (due to circumstances that compromise the feasibility of the trip), students will still be able to complete the module through the provision of an alternative learning experience.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The Bay of Naples fieldtrip aims to provide an inter-disciplinary field setting for Geography students who would like to pursue aspects of physical and human geography in an integrated manner. The field trip also aims to:

1. Provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through lecture-based modules to geographical study of real problems in the Bay of Naples.
2. Enable you to develop skills for working in an inter-disciplinary environment and appreciating the natural and social science components to tackle contemporary geographical problems.
3. Develop skills of group working and appreciation for the complementary nature of social and natural science approaches.
4. Foster students’ academic confidence through the development and presentation of an independent research project.

This module will help you develop skills to enhance your employability potential and career development by helping you to:
• develop and evaluate research designs,
• deploy research skills in different settings,
• develop critical thinking skills in the field,
• appreciate the role and importance of enquiry-led learning in undertaking each assessment,
• participate in group-based communication and discussions,
• negotiate contested/troublesome research issues,
• adapt and be flexible in conducting research, and
• communicate the findings of a research project in a professional manner.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Develop a critical, place-based understanding of selected physical geography themes
• 2. Articulate and evaluate key debates, concepts and approaches for a selected physical geography theme
• 3. Design, execute, analyse and report on a piece of research for selected physical geography theme

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Apply geographical concepts in different situations
• 5. Identify a diverse range of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding in physical geography
• 6. Apply techniques for interpreting geographical phenomena in place-based settings

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Work effectively in a group setting
• 8. Communicate complex ideas, concepts and theories
• 9. Undertake self-directed and independent study
• 10. Reflect on experiences and draw lessons for personal development

Syllabus plan

Term 2, weeks 1-10:
Pre-trip sessions include an introductory lecture in week 1. Six following workshop support sessions will enable students to prepare for the field trip and design their research projects. On week 4, students submit a formative 1000-word pre-proposal. On week 7, students formatively present their research plans to their peers and receive verbal feedback.

Term 2, week 11:
During the field trip, the curriculum will be based around a series of staff-led and student-led exercises, focusing on key topics such as disaster planning and tourism, heritage and tourism, urban re-development and contesting the Neoliberal City, climate change and sustainable tourism, coastal change and adaptation, ecosystem services and human wellbeing.

The field trip days are programmed as follows:
• Three days staff-led days visiting iconic world heritage sites in the Bay of Naples.
• Three days student-led projects, data collection and analysis.
• One day oral group presentations.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

If you are unable to engage with any of the field course module assessments for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be re-assessed for field work skills via the following assessments, to be submitted for the August deferral period:

• A 1500-word project report, based upon desk-based research on a theme, site, or issue related to the Bay of Naples.
• A 2000-word essay, related to key themes introduced in the pre-departure workshops;

The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
If you fail the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%), you will be required to submit a 1000-word project essay and a 1500-word academic essay. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• A module handbook and additional resources appropriate to the fieldtrip will be issued at the start of the module

Key words search

Field course, interdisciplinary