Field Geography

241 HS (If you do not find me in my office, look for me in the GISCenter [HS 246])

No Cell-phones, No Texting, and no ear-phones are allowed during class time.

We meet in GISCenter {HS 246}, so during class time, NO PLAYING OR WORKING ON THE COMPUTERS. TURN THE MONITORS TOWARD THE INSTRUCTOR DURING THE CLASS TIME. NO FOOD AND DRINKS ARE ALLOWED IN GISCenter. Also, NO TOBACCO CHEWING in the GISCenter.

- No text-book! However, some materials from Lounsbury and Aldrich, Introduction to Geographic Field Methods and Techniques, 2nd edition will be available on D2L.

- Other reading materials will be put on reserve in the Map Lib. for you to read. Some material will be distributed in the class.

Field studies of selected geographic problems. Prerequisite: GEOG 3226 or consent of instructor.

The main objective of this course is to make you familiar with the number of various techniques used in gathering field data. The course does not deal with detailed use of all the techniques. However, the emphasis is on offering the basics of certain types of data collection, data analysis, and presentation. The focus of the course is on human landscape. But to understand human landscape we need to explore the natural landscape, and the interactions and interdependences among various subsystems of landscape. So we will gather, analyze, and present data related to various physical and human characteristics.

There will be various hands-on exercises, along with class-room lectures, and some out-door exercises.

The course is divided into three parts. The first part deals with hands-on experience in collecting spatial data. We will use different tools to gather field data. We will map, summarize and present that data. The second and third parts deal with the data collection and presentation related to a specific topic. Each one of us will decide a research topic and will collect the data and summarize, and manipulate the data, and write a paper based on the data. During the middle of the semester each one of us will collect data related to his/her specific research topic. The topic will be discussed and approved before the start of the research project. During the third part, the gathered-data will be analyzed and presented as a paper. The end product of this course (a research paper based upon your project) should be presentable in a professional meeting or publishable in a professional journal. I will work on one-to-one level with each one of you to complete the research paper. However, it is going to be your inputs, efforts, and sweat that will give shape to your paper and help me to decide about the final grade.

1. Exercises and Project Assignments: You will be required to complete these assigned exercises and projects by the due dates. Grade value will vary from 20 to 50 points depending upon length and complexity of each assignment. Early or substitute assignments will not be given. Late or incomplete work or absence will result in reduced point values. Finish and submit these assignments on the due dates. I will not accept any assignment other than the one handed to me personally by you during the class meeting on the due date. Please do not ask anyone to pass-on the exercise to me, nor put these in my mail-box, or slide under my office-door. I will not accept the exercise/project (and paper)

2. Paper: I will give you detailed information about the research paper as the semester proceeds. On December 4 the final report/paper is due. The final copy of the paper has to be in electronic format. The formal presentation of your paper will be on Dec. 7 or Dec 15. I will like all of you to present this paper in April at the Students Achievement conference.

If any assignment (exercises, projects) and paper is submitted later than the deadline (time and date), it will automatically cause a loss of 50% of the points, so be very particular in completing and submitting the requirements before 10:00 AM on the day of submission. NO EXERCISE, PROJECT, ASSIGNMENTS, AND PAPER WILL BE GRADED IF IT IS SUBMITTED A DAY AFTER THE DEADLINE.

	Date	Weight
*Exercises and Projects*	assigned due dates	40%
*Research Paper (also formal presentation)*	Dec. 7, {Presentations on Dec. 7 and 15 (3:30-5:30)}	60%

Each exercise will be evaluated on the following criteria: accuracy and relatedness of data, mapping (neatness, legibility, hierarchy, contrast), and overall quality. We will use some basic survey instruments, techniques, GPS, GIS software, and statistical programs to complete different assignments. The exercises, the field research, data compilation, information analysis, and the presentation of the patterns and the processes of your research topics will synthesize the techniques that we have learned in various other courses and in this course.

The information about the research paper will be provided in the class. Your paper is focused on the Primary Data that you collect during the first part of the semester. So start your spade work for this requirement by the start of the semester.

I am sure we all will enjoy the assignments and will be proud of our achievements in this course.