Module: Skills for Exploring Environments

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Skills for Exploring Environments
Module Code	GY243 (ITS) / GEO1014 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
Module Co-ordinator	Kathleen Stokes
Module Teachers	Jonathan Cherry
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This module will introduce the primary characteristics of geographic research, and the key skills employed by geographers when conducting research in both human and physical environments. Students taking this module will have the opportunity to gain and augment their existing subject specific and generic skills, as a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches are introduced in lecture, practical class and fieldwork settings. Simultaneously a number of key data sources, including for example maps and databases will also be introduced. These skills will be employed by students in completing a piece of original research and in communicating their research finding in a range of formats.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and employ appropriate methods in undertaking geographical research
2. Identify and evaluate key data sources for geographical research
3. Identify / generate and successfully employ sources for geographical research
4. Devise and undertake research-work as part of a team or individually
5. Analyse and present research findings in a range of formats.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	48	Lectures/Practical classes
Fieldwork	12	Independent or led fieldwork
Assignment Completion	140	Preparation and completion of assignments
Independent Study	50	Independent Learning
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Research design
Devising a research question

Fieldwork
The landscape as source

Cartographic sources
Reading and analysing a range of cartographic sources

Working with Qualitative data
Access, managing and analysing qualitative data

Working with Quantative data
Access, managing and analysing quantative data

Source material
Identifying and evaluating a range of geographical source material

Research presentation: theory and practice
Evaluating appropriate ways of presenting research findings; selecting and presenting your research in a range of formats

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Range of individual and group assignments during the module	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

Robin Flowerdew, David M. Martin: 2013, Methods in Human Geography A guide for students doing a research project, 2, Routledge, London,
Jennifer L Johns, Richard Phillips: 2012, Fieldwork for Human Geography, Sage,

Other Resources

None