Semester One, 18 points
Lectures: Monday & Tuesday: 2pm – 2.50pm
Workshop: Wednesday: 10am – 11:50am
Seminar: Tuesday 28th May – 6pm – 9.50pm
Course Coordinator: Dr Christina Ergler – christina.ergler@otago.ac.nz
Each year, the course focuses on one key concept in human geography. Examples include identity, place, power, scale, sustainability and mobilities. Drawing from the University community and the local Dunedin context, students will work in groups to develop a research project that explores key issues in relation to that concept. Students of GEOG280 then undertake that research and communicate their results through an academic poster and a formal presentation. For example, in 2015, students explored what place means to Otago students. Groups of 5-6 GEOG280 students each conducted research projects that identified the variety of stories (past, present and future) that make up place for particular communities on and around campus. 
Each group focused on one community, including residents of Hyde Street and Castle Street, Halls of residence, international students, Dunedin students, postgraduate students, students in named flats etc. Questions asked include:
- How do identifications of place differ among and within groups?
- What is the difference between the lived experiences of place and dominant representations of place in the media and elsewhere?
- What is the effect of these dominant stories of place?
Each year the focus of inquiry will differ framed by the core geographical concept chosen.
Details
An introduction to methodology and field research as practised in human geography.
Research is vital to the discipline of geography. It forms the basis of geographical knowledge. This 18-point paper introduces you to a range of research methods commonly used in geography. The paper is very hands-on and will involve small groups of students working with members of our community in the University of Otago vicinity. The paper will equip you with a wide range of skills, which will be valuable both whilst you are at the University and also afterwards in your life and work. These are crucial transferable skills that will enable you to gain a first-hand experience of working in and with communities, doing research and communicating your findings.
| Paper title | Research Methodology in Human Geography |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GEOG280 |
| Subject | Geography |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | First Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,059.15 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $4,627.65 |
- Prerequisite
- GEOG 101 and GEOG 102
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Science
- Notes
- May not be credited together with SOCI 201 passed before 2005.
- Eligibility
- Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
- Contact
- geography@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information about GEOG 280
- Teaching staff
- Course Coordinator: Dr Christina Ergler
- Paper Structure
The paper runs in two parallel parts. A lecture series will provide the skills in research design, methods, analysis and communicating results. The workshop series runs alongside the lectures to allow you to put lecture learning to work in relation to group research projects.
Assesment is 100% internally assessed.
- Teaching Arrangements
Two 50-minute lectures per week
One 2-hour workshop per week (no timetable clashes for lectures or workshops will be approved)
Independent group meetings - as scheduled
There is a one- or two-day field trip early in the semester to allow you to explore the key concepts in relation to specific places
Each research group of 5-6 students will have a staff member or senior tutor as an advisor who will guide them through their research projects
- Textbooks
- Textbooks are not required for this paper. Readings will be selected and prescribed from a range of journals, texts and edited collections. These will be made available through eReserve on Blackboard.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental
literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to
- Apply key geographical concepts, literatures and methodologies to real-world problems in order to draw insightful and meaningful conclusions that contribute to addressing those problems
- Design an appropriate research project to address a specified problem
- Communicate research findings both orally and through a poster
- Understand research ethics and issues that can arise between researcher and research participants in human geography research
- Understand the key principles of social science research
