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Fieldwork in Geography

Module description

This module provides you with an introduction to fieldwork as a key component of geographical enquiry. Through lectures, you will gain a broad understanding of the history of fieldwork in geography, the different ways in which ‘the field’ is conceptualised across the discipline, and contemporary debates surrounding the future of field-based practices in research and education. In addition, this module provides you with multiple opportunities to undertake accessible learning activities in the local environment to gain practical experience  and an appreciation of how different field-based methods can be used to investigate contemporary research questions. Learning spans the discipline of geography, introducing you to a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research methods. As such, the module is compulsory for students taking BA Geography and BSc Geography degrees, as well as being available (a co-requisite) to Flexible Combined Honours and Liberal Arts students who are taking GEO1318 (Skills for Geography). 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module introduces you to the breadth of ways in which geographers engage with ‘the field’ (through fieldwork) as an important aspect of enquiry. In this module, you will have the opportunity to:

• develop a critical understanding of the history of fieldwork within the discipline;
• examine and reflect on how ‘the field’ is understood and used to generate new geographical knowledge and understanding;
• appreciate the ways in which geographers are transforming field-based enquiry, including research and scholarship led by colleagues in Geography at Exeter;
• work in local environments to experience some of the different practical ways in which geographers use fieldwork to answer contemporary research questions;
• employ a diverse range of quantitative and qualitative research methods used across geography;
• learn to work effectively as a group in developing your understanding of the value of fieldwork in geography.

The module is designed to provide a supportive and creative environment early on in your degree to enable you to develop effective group-working skills. These competencies will provide an important basis for other module learning and may be used to aid future employment opportunities. Through focusing on carefully designed learning activities in local environments, all field-based activities are designed to be sustainable, accessible and inclusive.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate an awareness of key concepts and contemporary debates relating to fieldwork in geography
• 2. Practically employ field-based methods and analytical techniques to generate geographical knowledge

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 3. Identify a diverse range of approaches to the generation of knowledge and understanding in geography
• 4. Develop an understanding of issues involved in collecting, analysing and presenting geographical information

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 5. Reflect on and discuss learning experiences and draw lessons for personal development
• 6. Use ICT effectively and appropriately to analyse and present geographical information

Syllabus plan

The syllabus plan is indicative of the kinds of issues we will explore in the module.

Module lectures will introduce you to the following themes:

1. Group learning in the field – how to work effectively together to collect and analyse field data
2. A history of fieldwork in Geography
3. Different conceptualisations of ‘the field’ in Geography
4. Fieldwork for the future of Geography

These lectures will be accompanied by three staff-led, and one student-led (in allocated groups), field-based activities in the local environment. These activities are designed to introduce you to a range of field-based methods across physical and human geography that may be used to investigate contemporary research questions.

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

Deferral – If you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. 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.

Referral – If you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Burt, T. and Thompson, D. 2020. Curious about nature: a passion for fieldwork. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Available online via Exeter Library.
• McSweeney, K. and Winkler Prins, A. 2021 Geographical Fieldwork in the 21st Century. Routledge, Abingdon. Available online via Exeter Library.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE

Key words search

Fieldwork, Geography