Unit Outline

This unit develops your ability to integrate theoretical knowledge, methodological approaches, and practical skills for undertaking research and practise in human geography and other social science fields. With a focus on researching island places and peoples, you will develop an understanding of core geographical concepts, such as space, place, region, and landscape. You will identify and explore the significance and relevance of these concepts to a range of issues affecting islands and islanders from around the world. You will build awareness of the applicability of different methodologies and methods popular within human geography inquiry for researching island places. You will be equipped to experiment with fieldwork ethnography, qualitative interviewing, and textual analysis. Employing a case study lens, you will utilise these research techniques, individually and as part of small group work, during a 4-day field trip to Bruny Island, Tasmania. Throughout and following the fieldtrip, you will analyse your research findings to create new knowledge about island life and island futures that are of relevance to islands and other places. These research skills and techniques are central to professional careers in fields such as regional and cultural development, local government, heritage management, natural resource management, and environmental planning and conservation.

Please note that there will be a cost for the field trip (approximately $200) that you will need to pay prior to attending. This helps to subsidise the cost of accommodation, some food, events and attractions, transport and sundries. Please contact Andrew if you anticipate any difficulties with this cost.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Analyse a range of issues, dynamics, challenges and opportunities affecting island places and peoples within diverse geographical contexts;
2	research island places to create new understandings of how they are represented, governed and experienced through field work and project-based inquiry;
3	communicate critical, coherent and evidence-based geographical thinking about island places through writing, speaking and academic integrity.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

This is the third iteration of a newly revised unit. Andrew continues to refine the unit offering and warmly welcomes any feedback on what is working and what could work better to support student learning. Please feel free to let Andrew know at any point during semester about how your experience of the unit could be improved.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Fieldwork Preparation: Template and Presentation	Week 4	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Field Journal	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Fieldwork Analysis and Reflection	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Fieldwork Preparation: Template and Presentation

Task Description:

In preparation for undertaking fieldwork you will complete a 5-page template (available in MyLO) and be prepared to deliver a 2-minute presentation discussing:

Significance of a specific topic and identify existing relevant research

Applicability and salience of geographical concepts, such as place, to the topic

How fieldwork can inform understanding of the topic, including designing a semi-structured interview schedule

Wider methodological, ethical, practical and risk considerations relating to fieldwork activities.

Please note that this is a hurdle task; you must pass the assessment task before being allowed to attend the field trip.

Task Length:

5 page template accompanied by 2-minute presentation.

Due Date:

Week 4 (17/Nov/2026)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Research a topic linked to the geographies of island places	LO2
2	Identify the applicability and salience of geographical concepts to the topic	LO1
3	Show how fieldwork – including designing a qualitative interview schedule – can generate insights about your chosen topic	LO1, LO2
4	Identify ethical, practical and risk issues relevant to the fieldwork	LO1, LO2
5	Present an informative talk on the chosen topic	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Field Journal

Task Description:

The purpose of this assessment task is for you to document your fieldwork activities, experiences, observations, and ideas. You will be given a field trip work booklet within which to take extensive and detailed written notes – these notes can also include sketches, drawings, maps, etc. You will also include an annotated copy of your qualitative interview transcript.
You will complete this workbook during your field trip to an island place.

Please note that you need to scan or photograph your journal and submit an electronic copy.

Task Length:

48-page workbook

Due Date:

Week 5 (07/Dec/2026)

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Document and describe activities, experiences, observations, and ideas	LO1, LO2
2	Interpret relationships amongst places and peoples to identify patterns, differences, and similarities	LO1
3	Record open-ended questions and explanations about field trip experiences	LO2, LO3
4	Produce an annotated interview transcript	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Fieldwork Analysis and Reflection

Task Description:

You will analyse your fieldwork findings contained in your field journal and interview transcripts to make greater meaning of them with respect to the chosen topic and do so by means of individual thought and group discussion. You will synthesise those findings in relation to relevant literatures and other resources, such as statistics, ephemera, photographs, or other media. You will reflect creatively and critically on your field trip experiences and use the concept of ‘situated knowledge’ to inform understandings of what you have learned and synthesised with respect to researching geographies of island places. This assessment task is due in the last week of the unit offering.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description (18/Dec/2026)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse experiences, perspectives and observations of people and place to inform reflection	LO1, LO2
2	Link the meaning and significance of your experiences to key geographical ideas, literatures, and other sources	LO1
3	Use academic writing formats and structures to communicate research findings and analysis	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.