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 judgments.
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.
This course is offered every fall and the spring semester of even numbered years (e.g., 2012).
Course number: GRG 373FUnique number: 36370
Meeting time: MWF 12:00-1:00
Meeting room: RLP 3.102
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, major in geography, and consent of instructor
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 and the Environment'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: RLP 3.718
Hours: by appointment via email
email: dolitl@austin.utexas.edu
Teaching Assistant: Xochi Castaneda
Office: RLP 3.400 A-I
Hours: TBD
email: xochizeltzin@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 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.
Academic honesty: All students are expected to comply with the University of Texas Honor Code.
Safety and Class Participation/Mask: We will all need to make some adjustments in order to benefit from in-person classroom interactions in a safe and healthy manner. Our best protections against spreading COVID-19 on campus are masks (defined as cloth face coverings) and staying home if you are showing symptoms. Therefore, for the benefit of everyone, this is means that all students are required to follow these important rules. Every student must wear a cloth face-covering properly in class and in all campus buildings at all times. Students are encouraged to participate in documented daily symptom screening. This means that each class day in which on-campus activities occur, students must upload certification from the symptom tracking app and confirm that they completed their symptom screening for that day to Canvas. Students should not upload the results of that screening, just the certificate that they completed it. If the symptom tracking app recommends that the student isolate rather than coming to class, then students must not return to class until cleared by a medical professional. Information regarding safety protocols with and without symptoms can be found here. If a student is not wearing a cloth face-covering properly in the classroom (or any UT building), that student must leave the classroom (and building). If the student refuses to wear a cloth face covering, class will be dismissed for the remainder of the period, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action as set forth in the university’s Institutional Rules/General Conduct 11-404(a)(3). Students who have a condition that precludes the wearing of a cloth face covering must follow the procedures for obtaining an accommodation working with Services for Students with Disabilities.
Sharing of Course Materials is Prohibited: No materials used in this class, including, but not limited to, lecture hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, papers, projects, homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets, may be shared online or with anyone outside of the class unless you have my explicit, written permission. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes cheating. It is a violation of the University’s Student Honor Code and an act of academic dishonesty. I am well aware of the sites used for sharing materials, and any materials found online that are associated with you, or any suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in sanctions, including failure in the course.
FERPA and Class Recordings: Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings.
COVID Guidance: To help keep everyone at UT and in our community safe, it is critical that students (and faculty and staff) report COVID-19 symptoms and testing, regardless of test results, to the HealthPoint Occupational Health Program (OHP) as soon as possible. Please see this link to understand what needs to be reported. In addition, to help understand what to do if a fellow student in the class (or the instructor or TA) tests positive for COVID, see this University Health Services link.
Students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, 471.6265
Religious holidays. According to UT policy, students must notify professors of their pending absence at least 14 days prior to the date of observance of a religious holy day. Students missing a class or examination because of a religious holy day will be given an opportunity to make-up missed work.
Created by William E. Doolittle. Revised 21 August 2020