James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

EV5404 - Field Studies in Tropical Geography

Subject Description

Field studies in Tropical Geography is an intensive mode subject that teaches and develops the field skills needed by students of geography and cognate disciplines. The subject is taught in intensive mode in specific areas chosen to take advantage of current staff research activities and interests (e.g. Cape York, Singapore and other remote and offshore locations). Accordingly, destinations change from time to time. Field Studies in Tropical Geography is designed as a research training subject that will prepare students for independent research work. The focus will be on: coherent research design, appropriate choice of techniques and data sources, careful and disciplined data collection, rigorous analysis and clear presentation of results. The subject provides you with an excellent grounding in all aspects of the geographical research process. Quota applies.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of the research process, and how this is conducted in geography and cognate disciplines
• critically evaluate theories and models of understanding tropical landscapes
• devise, plan and conduct a research project incorporating relevant research methods
• communicate effectively and persuasively using oral and written skills

Subject Assessment

• Oral > Presentation 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Field exercises emphasising ability to read landscapes, generating hypotheses from the observation and measurement of environmental attributes - (20%) - Individual
• Written > Reflection/reflective task 1 - (40%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  EV3404

Availabilities