Exploring Dynamic Environments (Fieldwork)

Overview

In this field course you will explore a variety of contrasting landscapes within the Mediterranean, with particular reference to Mallorca, researching the human and physical dynamics that have shaped them. Module topics will include: evidence for past environmental change, its impact and contemporary challenges; physical processes of landscape evolution, including weathering, erosion, coastal processes, and the impacts of climate change; understanding the nature of urbanisation and impact of tourism; critiquing cultural politics of environmental change, heritage and social identity; reflecting on sustainable alternatives. Project work will provide you with an opportunity to gain valuable experience collecting information in the field, as well as data analysis and interpretation in relation to significant academic debates and policy issues.

Learning Objectives

The module offers opportunities to:
- Gain experience and skill in the principles and practices of field investigation, including methods of data collection, techniques in its analysis, the interpretation of field data in the context of wider academic scholarship and the presentation of findings;
- Gain experience in working as part of a project team, managing a project, collaborating and supporting one another through online platforms (e.g. Teams, ArcGIS) and working to an agreed timeline;
- Demonstrate an organised approach to the design, execution and writing up of field research projects
- Gain experience in writing up research findings and presenting them in a variety of formats, such as presentations, reports, StoryMaps and vlogs
- Gain an understanding of the dynamics that account for change in the physical and human environments of the field study locations;
- Gain experience in assessing the evidence for long and short term environmental change;
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the nature of the relationships and processes that shape the physical and human geography of the field study locations.

Skills

Key skills: the ability to think and argue critically and undertake problem solving; the ability to undertake self-directed learning and the ability to work collaboratively on a project within a group. Additionally, taking part in managing the project, supporting one another and working towards an agreed deadline.

Subject-related skills: The ability to communicate geographical ideas by evidenced written, oral and visual means; the ability to apply specialised techniques or approaches to the collection and analysis of geographical information; the ability to undertake landscape (human and physical) interpretation.

Employability skills: The ability to work responsibly, autonomously and with others; self-awareness, reflection, self-management; project planning and project management; presentation of data and analysis in a variety of formats for a professional audience, such as reports, presentations, StoryMaps and vlogs; empathy, insight and ethical behaviour; flexibility and adaptability.

Assessment

Students are required to evidence contributions to team-based Human Geography and Physical Geography projects and participate in the peer assessment of team work.

Participation in the embedded overseas residential field trip is also required.