Module: GEO4001-20 Geographical Skills

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Rich Johnson

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.johnson@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

In this core module you will begin to develop specialised skills in Development, Human and Physical Geographies that are the hallmark of Geographers.   The emphasis of the module is on ‘learning by doing’ in the classroom, laboratory and in the field, but you will begin by looking at the concepts underpinning those skills.  You will be working with industry standard equipment and software, sometimes in teams and sometimes individually.  You will learn how research is done in Geography allowing us to investigate human and physical environments and you will have the opportunity to use your skills in a team investigation.  Your geographical skills will enable you to study geography at Levels 5 and 6 and beyond.  With an emphasis on ‘learning by doing’ the module aims to:

Introduce you to a range of foundational geographical skills across Development, Human and Physical Geographies

Give you the opportunity to develop traditional geography skills

Give you the opportunity for you to develop  digital geography skills

Give you the opportunity to develop competence in the use of technical equipment

Build team working in a ‘practice’ environment

2. Outline syllabus

The module will start by looking at traditional skills that encompass all of the Geography discipline such as working with geographic data and databases, cartography, numeracy and statistics.  We will then move on to digital geographies developing skills in the use of a range of technologies including the use of geographic data portals, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) still cutting across the whole of geography before we move on to more niche skills for particular branches of geography .

3. Teaching and learning activities

A series of short lectures will underpin the theoretical aspects of the module.  These lectures will support practical skills-building seminars and workshops.  You will undertake a staff – directed team investigation in one of three sub-discipline areas (Development, Human or Physical Geography).  Appropriate support and training (for instance in basic statistical analysis, report-writing and graphical presentation skills) will be provided to enable you to write-up your investigation individually in a report which will require you to demonstrate both niche and more general geographic skills.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: EX

• Description: In-class tests

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Individual project report (2,000 words or equivalent)

• % Weighting: 50%