Skip to main content
Unit of study_

GEOS3055: Field Studies in Geography

Semester 2, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This Unit of Study can be undertaken only with permission from the Head of the School of Geosciences. It is to be used in instances where students wish to gain academic credit for their participation in an approved field-based learning module undertaken overseas in the Asia-Pacific region. This will typically take the form of University of Sydney International Placement program that operates with oversight from a member of academic staff of the School of Geosciences and with curriculum content consistent with the discipline of Geography. This unit is an elective unit and does not contribute to the Geography major.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GEOS3055
Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
GEOS2X21 or AREC2005 or GOVT2228 or GEOS2X11 or GEOS2X23 or GEOS2X16
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rebecca Cross, r.cross@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rebecca Cross, r.cross@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Field Study Report
Notes describing Field Study activities
20% Week -02
Due date: 11 Aug 2023 at 23:59
Booklet filled out during Field Study
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Engagement during Field Study
Evidence of engagement and group collaboration during Field Study
10% Week -02 During Field Study Trip
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Individual essay
Essay
20% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Presentation group assignment Presentation of Feasibility Study
Presentation of Feasibility Study
10% Week 09
Due date: 17 Aug 2023 at 14:40
15mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Group Feasibility Study
Feasibility Study with funding application as an appendix
20% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59
3000word report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Critical Reflection
Critical reflection using excerpts from reflective journal
20% Week 11
Due date: 20 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1500-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Participation and Fieldtrip report (filled out booklet) will be submitted on the last day of the Field Study.
  • The individual pieces of assessment include an essay and a critical reflection.
  • The group pieces of assessment include a presentation and a feasibility report + grant application.
  • You must attempt all assessments to meet the requirements of this course.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

A response at the high distinction level will demonstrate flair for the subject area. A comprehensive understanding of the material should be apparent, and clear critical evaluation of the subject area supported by evidence and examples. The student has been able to grasp complex ideas and to originally interpret their field findings. There must be no factual errors. More than this, the student should demonstrate clear evidence of wider knowledge and reasoning (that is, brings in superior levels of knowledge or relates to ideas that may be new or novel relative to the field site or topic). The student would demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of sources and materials. Essays must be clearly and logically structured to support the argument being made. An award of high distinction is an exceptional achievement.

Distinction

75 - 84

A response at the distinction level will demonstrate high-level aptitude for the subject area. The essay should indicate a strong understanding of the material, incorporating all of the relevant factual information as specified by the question. Evidence of critical evaluation should be apparent. There should be no significant factual errors. Some evidence of independent and original thinking should be apparent. Some evidence for an understanding of the broader literature would be required. Presentation, expression and grammar must be of very high quality, and essays should be clearly and logically structured. An award at the distinction level is an excellent achievement.

Credit

65 - 74

A response at the credit level will demonstrate a good understanding of the subject area, incorporating most of the relevant knowledge or facts as specified by the question. There is evidence of a sound understanding of the material, and that this understanding has been successfully applied to the essay question. There may be limited evidence of critical independent thinking and/or originality of thought. There may be a few minor factual errors, but these do not significantly affect the logic of the response. Essays should incorporate most of the relevant factual information as specified by the question. Presentation should be clear, and expression should be of good quality, with few typographical, spelling or grammatical errors. An award at the credit level is a good achievement.

Pass

50 - 64

A response at the pass level will demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of the subject area. Essays should include relevant knowledge. While the response is judged to adequately answer part, or all, of the question posed, there may be some significant factual errors and omissions. A limited understanding of the issues or concepts is apparent, suggesting that the student may have misunderstood some of the concepts presented. Presentation may be of low quality, and a logical structure difficult to discern. Expression may be deemed adequate, but there will be several grammatical or typographical errors that compromise the flow and meaning of the essay. An award at the pass level is satisfactory, and suggests a basic understanding of the subject area.

Fail

0 - 49

A response at the fail level will demonstrate an unsatisfactory or inadequate level of understanding of the subject area. Essay responses will include little of the relevant knowledge or factual information required to properly address the question posed. Presentation is poor, with no structure explicit or otherwise. Expression is very poor to poor, with numerous and repetitive typographical, spelling and grammatical errors. The essay is difficult to read, and the meaning of the prose may be unclear. It is apparent that the student has been unable to grasp and articulate the issues being addressed. The student would usually have not made a genuine attempt to participate in group discussions. An award at the fail level is unsatisfactory and below the threshold standard for achievement at this year level.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties of 5% per day will apply for late submissions as per University Policy.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -03 13day Field Trip across NSW (Wiradyuri, Gamilaraay and Anaiwan Country) Field trip (97.5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Pre-enrolment tasks must be completed to gain permission to enrol in the unit
  • The CSU ICCP must be completed
  • Attendance during the Field Study (13 days in July across NSW) is mandatory
  • Attendance at pre-Field Study workshops are required for WH&S briefings, cultural competence training and organisation of travel logistics
  • Attendance at the post-Field Study workshop is required for the group presentation

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the complexity involved in sustainably caring for Country using multiple sources of knowledge and world-views
  • LO2. Recognise the extent of Indigenous land management in Australia by working directly with individuals and communities living and working on Country.
  • LO3. Develop the cultural competence and capability to work effectively with Indigenous communities.
  • LO4. Be familiar with the main challenges facing contemporary Indigenous communities in the context of land management and critically examine the potential future implications of these challenges.
  • LO5. Practice applying skills and knowledge to work competently and confidently with individuals and communities for positive change.
  • LO6. Explore and describe options for enterprise development in collaboration with communities and assess the potential for increasing cultural inclusivity.
  • LO7. Develop a feasibility study for enterprise development and a grant application tailored to include local Indigenous knowledge and participation.
  • LO8. Critically reflect on and analyse how different cultural values and beliefs affect professional communication and practice and the strategies that can be employed to enhance communication across cultures.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been cobadged between AGEN3008 and GEOS3055, giving students majoring in Geography and Env Studies the ability to enrol in this unit as a selective.

Additional costs

Costs for some meals and optional activities will be required.

Site visit guidelines

Permission obtained as required for each site visited.

Work, health and safety

  • As this is a field trip includes travel relatively remote locations, all WH&S requirements are followed carefully and fully.
  • Students are fully briefed for safety and risks before the field trip and on a daily basis according to the risks associated with tasks for the day.
  • Students are required to complete a Fieldwork Acknowledgement Form to raise awareness of risks and to gather relevant medical information and contact details.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.