Field Course in Human Geography
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Spring
- Course code
- GEO292
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
Objectives:
Students will refine their theoretical and methodological knowledge, and through a field exercise will demonstrate how research questions, hypotheses, and scientific research are developed within a human geography context.
Content:
The participants will get the opportunity to practise their theoretical and methodological knowledge within an empirical investigation of a human geography problem. The topic of the investigation should be chosen after consultation with the course instructor. The field course runs each year, either within Norway, or abroad. After pre-approval, it is possible to submit a written assignment based on study literature.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student
- can make use of central themes and theories within human geography that he or she has acquired during the bachelor program.
Skills
The student
- can complete a modest research project by creating a research question, developing a research framework and utilising theoretical and empirical methods/viewpoints
- can utilise qualitative and quantitative analytical methods
General competence
The student
- can work individually and in groups
- can successfully write academically and can correctly refer to literature and present through a field report
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
University of Bergen and a field area, either in Norway or abroad. The field area may vary from year to year.
A field course fee covering food expenses must be paid within a given deadline.
Required Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
This course has a limited number of places and enrolment is based on application. You apply by registering for class in Studentweb. The registration deadline is Wednesday in week 2, before the regular deadline. We require that students complete this course in combination with either GEO223 or GEO224. Students who fulfil the required previous knowledge (at least 60 ECTS in geography, including basic knowledge in human geography and cartography) are admitted to the course after this priority list:
- Students from the bachelor's programme in Geography, UiB
- Exchange students and students from other programmes at The University of Bergen
Exchange students in group 2 will be prioritised according to the most equivalent background to required previous knowledge.
Teaching and learning methods
- 1 seminars á 2 hours pr. week. (total 5-7 seminars)
- Field course: 3-5 days (dependent on travel distance)
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
- Participation field course.
- Participation in all seminars preparing for the field course.
- The students chose additional literature relevant for the thesis (150-200 pages).
Compulsory requirements are only valid the semester they have been approved.
Forms of Assessment
Field report in groups (2-3 students) and individual oral exam. The oral exam may adjust the grade.
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester
Retake exam:
Group field report:
Assessment in teaching semester only. This assessment form requires that students participate in field course and report writing.
Adjusting individual oral exam: A new exam will be arranged for students with valid absence. Students with valid absence as defined in the UiB regulations § 5-5 can apply for new oral exam.