EUB450 Geography in the Field

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit provides an opportunity to develop fieldwork design skills as well as practical fieldwork skills for gathering data, making observations, and recording information in the field. Fieldwork is carried out in both urban and natural environments within the Greater Brisbane area. Ways of representing and analysing data gathered in the field will provide the opportunity to develop cartographic, graphic and analytical skills. You will propose, design and carry out your own fieldwork and report on your findings. The skills developed in this unit are relevant to a wide range of professions within the geography, science and education fields that rely on project design, data collection and analysis and analytical reporting, including proposing action to identified geographical challenges.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Propose and design a fieldwork investigation to identify a geographical challenge.
2. Utilise appropriate techniques for gathering geographical data and information in the field.
3. Transform and represent geographical data and information gathered in the field.
4. Interpret and analyse geographical data and information gathered in the field to identify patterns and trends that represent a geographical challenge for a specific place.
5. Synthesise information from the analysis to propose action in response to the identified geographical challenge.
6. Demonstrate effective communication using geographical terminology, cartographic and graphic representations as appropriate.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you will learn through engaging in the following:

• Workshops
• Fieldwork activities
• Collaboration with peers

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will gain feedback in this unit by participating in weekly workshops and completing the fieldwork activities as well as by evaluating your achievement in attaining the learning goals established throughout the course. You will also receive summative, written feedback on Assessment 1 which will directly relate to and inform your final assessment.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit consists of two related items, a research proposal for a fieldwork investigation and a report at the completion of the fieldwork investigation. The assessment requires a collaborative approach to gathering data in the field.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Research proposal

You must complete background research to identify an issue suitable for fieldwork investigation in either an urban or natural setting. The proposal will outline the location and reasons fieldwork is required; the methodology and techniques to be utilised for gathering, analysing and representing data.

This task will assess your:

1. Background research to identify an issue suitable for fieldwork investigation.
2. Understanding of fieldwork design.
3. Identification of appropriate techniques for gathering geographical data and information in the field.
4. Communication using geographical terminology, cartographic and graphic representations as appropriate.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Report

Digital or hardcopy fieldwork report
The research proposal from assessment 1 will guide your fieldwork investigation. You will gather relevant data in the field, represent the data visually and analyse the data to propose a solution to your issue. Your response can be individual digital or hardcopy fieldwork report format.

This task will assess your:

1. Transformation and representation of geographical data and information gathered in the field.
2. Interpretation and analysis of geographical data and information gathered in the field to identify patterns and trends that represent a geographical challenge for a specific place.
3. Synthesise information from the analysis to propose action in response to the identified geographical challenge.
4. Communication using geographical terminology, cartographic and graphic representations as appropriate.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

There are no recommended texts.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with general participation in this unit. Workplace Health and Safety protocols associated with computer use will apply.