GEOG10140 Mapping a Sustainable World

Academic Year 2020/2021

This module aims to provide students with a foundation in geographical data, mapping, spatial analysis and writing skills. It will explore the organisation and manipulation of geospatial data, cognitive mapping and basic statistics, and will address locational considerations (e.g. coordinates and space), map projections, and map design. It will also introduce technological tools and methods available to map, analyse and disseminate geographical information. The module will be mainly tutorial-based but will include lectures and fieldwork, providing an interactive and applied learning environment to explore technical and technological geospatial methods and approaches. In doing so, it will enhance students’ geospatial awareness and provide them with skills to examine relationships, interactions and interdependencies between human and physical components of the environment. It will provide skills applicable across the rest of the modules in the first and subsequent stages of the Geography curriculum and, in particular, prepare students for the core Geographic Information Systems module in stage 2.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

This module is as a core skills module and aims to deliver the following learning outcomes:
- increased awareness of geospatial research and its techniques, methods and tools;
- acquisition of mapping and map interpretation skills;
- understand fundamental techniques of data exploration, organisation and analysis;
- develop literature search, writing and referencing skills.

Indicative Module Content:

• WK 1 (21st Sep): No Teaching

• WK 2 (28th Sep): Introduction: The Evolution of Mapping
Tutorial 1: Cognitive Maps

• WK 3 (5th Oct): Advances in Mapping Technology, projections and transformations
Tutorial 2: Writing Skills

• WK 4 (12 Oct)): GPS Apps on Mobile Phones
No Tutorial

• WK 5 (19th Oct): Data Types and Data Management, Intro to Statistics
Tutorial 3: Geography of A Weekend

• WK 6 (26th Oct): Reading Week No Lecture / Tutorial

• WK 7 (2nd Nov): Sampling Methods and Survey 123
Tutorial 4: Developing a Survey

• WK 8 (9th Nov): ArcGIS Online
Tutorial 5: Survey Statistics

• WK 9 (16th Nov): Cartographic Choices and Fieldwork Preparation
Tutorial 6: Stats for Fieldwork

• WK 10 (23 Nov): Advanced Statistics and Sustainable Development Goals
Tutorial 7: Class Debate on SDGs

• Wk 11 (30 Nov): Ethical Considerations
No tutorial

• Wk 12 (7th Dec): Ecological Footprints and Class Wrap Up

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

8
Field Trip/External Visits

8
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

106
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching and learning on this module will include:

- Lectures
- Active / task-based learning through peer and group work in tutorials and occasionally during lectures
- Inquiry and case-based learning through the one day (possibly virtual) fieldtrip and case study based assignments 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: 500 word assignment Week 4 n/a Graded No

10
Project: Final autonomous research project including maps, data analysis and written discussion of results. Week 11 n/a Graded No

40
Fieldwork: Fieldwork data collection. Week 8 n/a Graded No

15
Assignment: Tutorial preparation & participation Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

35

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

- Group feedback will be provided at the start of each tutorial on the performance of the class in the previous tutorial. - Timely individualised feedback will be provided via Brightspace on assignment / project submissions. - Students are welcome to meet with the module coordinator during office hours if more detailed feedback / further clarification is required.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Gerald Mills Lecturer / Co-Lecturer