Module: Advanced Urban Geography Research Project

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Advanced Urban Geography Research Project
Module Code	GY329 (ITS) / GEO1018 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	History & Geography
Module Co-ordinator	Ruth McManus
Module Teachers	Gránia Shanahan
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 equip students with the skills and knowledge to undertake and complete an original research project in urban geography as part of a group. Research topics may include both contemporary and urban historical options. A sample of the variety of research topics which may be available include: the creation of the urban edge, exploring suburban spaces, housing in the urban environment, contested and symbolic landscapes, commodified urban landscapes, tourism and heritage in the urban landscape, the geography of lodgers and boarders in the historic city. Students will be introduced to the key skills, methodologies and sources used by urban and urban historical geographers. A fieldwork component may be included as appropriate to the topics under consideration. Students will develop competence in managing and sharing research data and findings. Research findings will be presented in a range of formats, while individually students will record their own learning experiences in a reflective journal.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of, and familiarity with, a broad range of historical and contemporary source materials and their potential uses in urban geography research
2. Develop key skills and methodologies utilised in urban geography research
3. Create, manage, collate and analyse geographical datasets
4. Communicate research findings effectively in written and / or oral format
5. Document and critically reflect on their own individual learning experiences

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	48	Lectures/Seminars
Assignment Completion	32	Individual Learning Journals: Learning Journal entries
Assignment Completion	24	Written Assignments/Reports
Assignment Completion	122	Group Research Project: Preparation, research, writing and presentation of research project
Assignment Completion	24	Research Presentation: Preparation and presentation of research
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

Introduction
Introduction to urban geography research

Critical reading and discussion
students read and make notes on required reading in key fields of research, for class discussion

Identification of potential research projects
group formation, identification of potential research projects, assigning topics

Key sources materials and skills
developing the necessary knowledge of sources and the required skills, including fieldwork, landscape interpretation and (where appropriate to the specific projects) cartographic elements as required

Field visit (possible)
independent fieldwork possibly including visits to archives and repositories as relevant to the project

Project work
Managing and collating data effectively as a group

Analysis
Analysis and writing up research report

Completion
Project completion and presentation

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Assignment	Learning Journal: Learning journal with regular entries as specified	20%	As required
Assignment	Short individual written assignments / reports on specific elements of research project	15%	As required
Project	Research Project (Group): Identification of project, research, preparation and writing up of group research project	50%	As required
Presentation	Research Project (Group):Oral presentation of research using an illustrated professional presentation	15%	As required

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 1

Indicative Reading List

Duffy, Patrick J: 2005, Exploring the history and heritage of Irish landscapes., Four Courts Press, Dublin,
Flowerdew, Robin & Martin, David: 2005, Methods in Human Geography: A guide for students doing a research project,
Gomez, Basil & Jones, John Paul (eds.): 2010, Research methods in geography: a critical introduction., Wiley-Blackwell,
Kitchin, Rob & Tate, NJ: 2000, Conducting Research into Human Geography, Prentice Hall,
Nolan, W. & Simms, A.: 1998, Irish Towns, a guide to sources, Geography Publications Dublin,
Prunty, Jacinta: 2004, Maps and map making in local history. Four Courts Press.,
.Rose, Gillian: 2001, Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to Researching with Visual Methodologies. Sage,

Other Resources

48682, Readings, 0, Readings will be assigned as appropriate to the research topics selected,