City of Flows Field Course (Antwerp)
| Module title | City of Flows Field Course (Antwerp) |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO3163 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Federico Caprotti (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will have the opportunity to engage with Antwerp as a city of contemporary and historic flows, getting to grips with this major port city as a key node in flows of globalization for examples, through the geography of commodities; memories and places of migration; the materialities of infrastructure and industry. As a residential field course, this module provides you with an opportunity to develop and apply research skills in real world environments. Following staff-led days, you will conduct your own research in groups and share your research findings in a student-led discussion.
Please note that in the event of the field course not running (due to circumstances that compromise the feasibility of the trip), you will still be able to complete the module through the provision of an alternative learning experience.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The field course aims to provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through lecture-based modules to 'real-world' geographical study. It provides you with significant experience in designing and conducting fieldwork and research through group led research projects. You will also gain insight into various urban issues, processes and problems through in situ activities and research-led teaching from module staff, which will advance your understanding of these issues in Antwerp and other global cities.
By attending the preparatory meetings, the field trip, and completing the formative and summative assessment in this module, you will develop your academic and professional skills. You will gain knowledge of how to tackle research problems in the field and how to manage your time and workload effectively, working individually and in a group.
The module is designed to enhance positive graduate attributes. The module seeks to develop:
- Proficiency in developing and evaluating research designs and methodologies, especially with regard to identifying and adapting approaches for specific settings
- Applied skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation
- Confidence in assessing, interpreting and critically evaluating academic or other types of literature
- Group management and interpersonal skills
- Confidence in discussion your research and ideas in a group
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify/formulate & evaluate research questions or problems
- 2. Construct, interpret & use geographic data effectively & appropriately
- 3. Design, execute & report on a research project (including literature, methods, ethics & risk assessment)
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Identify a range of approaches to the generation of knowledge in human geography
- 5. Employ geographical concepts appropriate to different situations
- 6. Outline the nature of change within human environments
- 7. Discuss reciprocal relationships between physical and human environments
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Communicate ideas and theories effectively by written, oral and visual means
- 9. Use C&IT effectively and appropriately to select, analyse, present and communicate geographical information
- 10. Take part in group-designed research that enables both collective and individual learning & problem-solving
Syllabus plan
Before the field trip:
A series of lectures and workshop support sessions to enable you to prepare for the field trip.
During the field trip:
- Themed, staff-led activities. Indicative themes covered during the fieldtrip are: mobilities; the geography of commodities; memories and places of migration; spaces of flows; the materialities of infrastructure and industry.
- Undertaking a group project field work data collection and analysis, with limited staff guidance
- Student group-led discussion
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 84 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Pre-departure meetings and lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 56 | Participation in activities during field trip |
| Guided Independent Study | 42 | Pre-departure preparatory reading and group summative assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 42 | Preparation for group and individual summative assessment during and after the field trip |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class group discussions during term 2 | 5-minute discussion | All | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group oral assessment | 30 | 30 minutes | All | Written |
| Fieldwork extended essay | 70 | 2,000 words | 1-2, 5-9 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group oral assessment | Research summary (1,000-words, 30%) | All | Referral/deferral period |
| Fieldwork extended essay | Fieldwork extended essay (2,000 words, 70%) | 1-2, 5-9 | Referral/deferral period |
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 1000-word research summary, based upon desk-based research on a theme, site, or issue related to the module
• A 2000-word extended essay, related to key themes introduced in the module lectures.
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 are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Reading lists appropriate to the fieldtrip will be issued during the previous term.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE page
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | GEO2338 Doing Human Geography Research |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 21/03/2019 |
| Last revision date | 04/03/2025 |
