Berlin Field Course
| Module title | Berlin Field Course |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO3148 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Pepe Romanillos (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 1 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 55 |
|---|
Module description
The Berlin field course offers the opportunity to explore and critically appraise a range of themes in human geography using a residential field setting. Pre-departure sessions focus on the development of knowledge and understanding of key themes and issues through individual and group work. The residential part of the module comprises staff-led activities, student-led group activities and individual reflection. Accordingly, the module will enable you to explore elements of human geography through place-based learning and activities.
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
This module aims to develop conceptual and practical understanding of key research themes and practices in human geography. Using Berlin as a place-based context, the module also aims to:
1. Enable you to explore themes in human geography at an advanced level through a place-based setting;
2. Develop your understanding of how human geography themes inter-connect through the lens of place;
3. Provide techniques to undertake critically-informed field-based inquiry;
4. Enable you to study collaboratively and to co-produce knowledge;
5. Develop a structured and academically-informed understanding of a specific place.
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 human geography themes
- 2. Articulate and evaluate key debates, concepts and approaches for selected human geography themes
- 3. Design, execute, analyse and report on field-based explorations for selected human geography themes
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 human 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. Undertake self-directed and independent study
- 9. Reflect on experiences and draw lessons for personal development
Syllabus plan
Term 2, weeks 1-10
- A series of lectures and workshop support sessions to develop your understanding of module themes and prepare for your activities in Berlin.
Term 2, week 11:
- Five days of field-based learning in Berlin, featuring a mix of staff-led activities and student-led group activities with minimal staff input.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | 104 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 11 | Pre-departure lectures and workshops |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 35 | Participation in activities during residential field trip |
| Guided independent study | 66 | Pre-departure preparatory reading and summative assessment preparation |
| Guided independent study | 38 | Completion of assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group thematic presentation in Term 2 | 10 minutes | 1-2, 4-9 | Verbal |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Essay | 60 | 2000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Fieldwork reflections (set of 4) | 40 | 4 pages of A4 (1 page per reflection) | 1-2, 4-5, 8-9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thematic Essay (2000 words) | Thematic Essay (2000 words) | 1-9 | Referral/deferral period |
| Fieldwork reflections - 4 pages of A4 | Virtual Fieldwork set of reflections 4 pages of A4 (1 page per reflection) | 1-2, 4-5, 8-9 | 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 2000-word Thematic Essay
-
A ‘Virtual Fieldwork’ set of reflections (4 pages of A4)
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 2000-word thematic essay and a set of ‘virtual fieldwork’ reflections. 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
• Reading lists appropriate to the field course will be issued at the start of the module on an annual basis.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | GEO2329 Geographies of Consumption: Doing Human Geography Research OR GEO2465 Doing Human Geography Research OR GEO2338 Doing Human Geography Research |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/08/2021 |
| Last revision date | 28/02/2024 |
