This course introduces advanced geography students to a number of various techniques used in gathering field data. It does not deal with every technique nor does it go into great detail on any one. It does, however, offer the basics of certain types of data collection, and, in so doing, it provides a foundation on which more advanced study--either formally through other classes, or informally through self-training--can be undertaken.
The course is divided into two parts, each dealing with different types of techniques, and each with different levels of supervision. The first part of the course deals with mapping, the most fundamental of geographic activities. Students learn how to collect data with a clearly spatial dimensions. They begin by using some very simple instruments and progress to using the latest electronic surveying equipment. Emphasis is placed on mapping small areas largely because data at this scale are usually what geographers do not already possess, and, therefore, need. Also, working at this scale gives students a first-hand appreciation for, or at least a "taste" of, the processes involved in collecting data portrayed on existing maps of various scales. Instruction during this first half of the semester is very focused; students are closely supervised.
The second part of the course focuses on the collection of various types of environmental data that can be mapped. Emphasis here is placed on both "natural" data used most often, but not exclusively, by so-called "physical geographers," and "cultural" data commonly used by so-called "human geographers." Also, techniques for determining past as well as current conditions are covered in order for students to assess changing geographies. Instruction during the second half of the semester is less supervised than in the first half. Students are given a great deal of liberty to hone their skills at making professional judgements.
The focus of this course is on landscapes, especially those that are material and visible. Instruction includes some classroom lectures and several outdoor exercises. This course involves hands-on experience. Students can expect to be hot, cold, dirty, and wet, and exposed to some health risks. Research methods, project formulation, laboratory data analyses, and cartography are not be part of this course. This course deals exclusively with outdoor data collection techniques.
Unique number: 38490
Meeting time: MWF 12:00-1:00
Meeting room: GRG 316
Prerequisite: Upper-division undergraduate standing, and departmental permission. All students must have a working knowledge of the WorldWideWeb and have an email address.
Given the nature of this course and related equipment, enrollment is limited to 16 students, maximum! This course satisfies one-half of the Department of Geography's core curriculum requirement in Methods and Techniques for undergraduate majors. Enrollment priority is based on (1) geography majors in the Methods and Techniques track, (2) graduating seniors majoring in geography, (3) other students majoring in geography, (4) all other students.
A word of caution about 1 pm classes: Students may find
it desireable not to schedule any classes for the 1:00-2:00 pm
time slot. Much of our work will be outdoors, rain or shine, hot
or cold. Leaving the following hour free allows for students to
shower and change clothes before attending their next class.
Office: GRG 306
Hours: by appointment
email: dolitl@mail.utexas.edu
This is also not strickly a lecture course. All students are
expected to be active participants.
Students will treat this course as though it were professional
employment. They will treat the professor as though he were their
employer. And, they will treat each "job" or exercise as though
it
were a professional assignment or task.
Every job will be due on the assigned day and time, usually at 3 pm of the Field Day following initiation of the job. Jobs will NOT be accepted late.
Each job will be graded on the following ten criteria:
(A) Layout: title and information box, use of
tabular pages, use of graphics pages;
(B) Appearance: legibility, contrast/pencil, lines
and lettering, overall neatness;
(C) Data: sufficiency/extraneousness,
accuracy/calculations;
(D) Overall quality.
This is a course designed specifically for advanced undergraduates majoring in geography who anticipate that one day they may need to gather data first-hand. Accordingly, all students are expected to be mature, industrious, highly self-motivated, and enthusiastic.
Assigned work will involve several jobs or exercises to be completed in small groups, often outside of class hours, and usually within one week of when they are begun. Each student will be responsible for recording job data in his or her own field notebooks. Students will record job data in one book while the instructor is grading the previously completed job recorded in the other. Each student will maintain a photographic record consisting of two photos of each job. One photo will be of the student actively working, and one will be of a topical nature, illustrating some aspect of the job. Toward the end of the semester an album will be prepared with complete captions. The albums will be graded as one exercise.
Course Notes and Suggested Additional Readings constitute part of this course. A comprehensive final examination covering the Course Notes, material presented in class, and lessons learned during the jobs will be administered at the end of the semester.
Created by William E. Doolittle. Last revised 29 May 2007, wed