Students
GEOP2060 – Geography and Planning Field School
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Kate Lloyd
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(GEOP1010 or GEOP111) and (GEOP2010 or GEOP201)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The Geography and Planning field school provides students with an opportunity to apply skills in a real-world environment. Students will develop theoretical and practical knowledge in the context of a specific field site and will participate in research exercises that prepare them for conducting future independent research. Working in a team, students will gain first-hand experience in applying research skills using different methods of data collection alongside assessing, analysing and presenting data. Students will also gain practical skills in assessing ethical implications, and considering the risks and hazards involved in doing fieldwork. On the basis of these activities, students will gain a clear understanding of the skills required for conducting geographic and planning research and have the capacity to see a research project through from start to finish. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Define, plan and execute a research project, incorporating practical and ethical elements of conducting research.
- ULO2: Apply geographical and planning theory and methods to a specific field site.
- ULO3: Demonstrate skills in project management, data collection, data analysis and communication of research findings.
- ULO4: Work independently and as part of a team.
General Assessment Information
Assignment requirements and submission
Detailed requirements and marking rubrics for each assessment are available from the iLearn site. All written assignments should be submitted online to Turnitin via the relevant links provided in iLearn. You are not required to submit a hardcopy of any assignments or include a cover sheet.
Assessment extensions and late penalties
Circumstances that affect your ability to complete assignments by the deadline must be discussed with the convenor prior to the due date. Extensions will be granted only in unforeseen or exceptional circumstances according to the University Special Consideration policy. Students must apply online via AskMQ and provide appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate).
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Assessment feedback
All feedback for assignments will be made available online. The grade will be in the form of a letter as consistent with University policy (HD, D, Cr, P, F) alongside written feedback
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project brief | 30% | No | Week 6 |
| Presentation | 20% | No | Mid session recess |
| Fieldwork report | 50% | No | Week 10 |
Project brief
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 30%
A 1,000-word project brief drawing on academic and policy literature related to the field site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define, plan and execute a research project, incorporating practical and ethical elements of conducting research.
- Apply geographical and planning theory and methods to a specific field site.
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Mid session recess
Weighting: 20%
Students present their field school output in small groups and submit individual presentation scripts (600-800 words). Presentations will include the key observations made in the field, and a discussion and interpretation of these observations.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define, plan and execute a research project, incorporating practical and ethical elements of conducting research.
- Apply geographical and planning theory and methods to a specific field site.
- Demonstrate skills in project management, data collection, data analysis and communication of research findings.
- Work independently and as part of a team.
Fieldwork report
Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 50%
A 2,500-word report comprising a) group analysis of approaches and observations from the field in the context of the wider literature; and b) individual reflections based on a fieldwork diary compiled during fieldwork.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define, plan and execute a research project, incorporating practical and ethical elements of conducting research.
- Apply geographical and planning theory and methods to a specific field site.
- Demonstrate skills in project management, data collection, data analysis and communication of research findings.
- Work independently and as part of a team.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Classes
The Geography and Planning field school will run with 2 hourly online workshops on Mondays in weeks 2, 4 and 6 followed by on campus workshops in the first week of the mid-session recess.
Given the nature of the unit students will not be able to complete the unit successfully if they do not attend all online and face-to-face workshops
Reading
Required reading (journal articles and chapters) will be listed on iLearn and available via Leganto.
Technology used and required
All enrolled students have access to the GEOP2060 website via iLearn. iLearn will provide access to lectures (powerpoint presentations for download and recordings through the University's Echo360 lecture recording facility) as well as readings, links and forum discussions. Regular access to iLearn is required in order to complete the unit.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.