Program Overview

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Methods in Human Geography

Postgraduate Course

This postgraduate course is designed to provide students with advanced training in research methods and fieldwork techniques in human geography. The course aims to prepare students for undertaking fieldwork and analyzing data in connection with their master's thesis.

Course Details

• ECTS credits: 10
• Teaching semesters: Spring
• Course code: GEO306
• Number of semesters: 1
• Teaching language: English
• Resources: Schedule, Reading list

Objectives and Content

Objectives

The course objectives are to train and prepare students for undertaking fieldwork and analyzing data in connection with their master's thesis.

Content

The course provides theoretical and research experience-based knowledge of central research methods in human geography. Through lectures, discussions, and group exercises, students will gain knowledge of qualitative field methods and visual field techniques, interpretation of qualitative data, and discourse analysis.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

• The student can demonstrate an advanced understanding of central theoretical concepts and research methods commonly used in human geography.

Skills

• The student can conduct case studies
• The student can analyze own and informants' positionalities
• The student can conduct participant observation in familiar and foreign cultural contexts
• The student can conduct fieldwork with special emphasis on interviews, observation, and visual methods
• The student can carry out discourse analysis
• The student can code and analyze own data
• The student can critically assess secondary data sources, including statistics
• The student can assess ethical problems in the research process

General Competence

• The student can consciously engage in reflection upon social processes involved in data production and analysis.
• The student can apply relevant theories and concepts in discussions of research methodology.
• The student can independently plan a project's research design and apply appropriate research methods.

Level of Study

The course is offered at the master's level.

Semester of Instruction

The course is taught in the spring semester.

Required Previous Knowledge

Basic knowledge about social science methods is required.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

GEO206/GEO221/GEO231/GEO292 or equivalent is recommended.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

GEO307 (5 ECTS) has a credit reduction due to course overlap.

Access to the Course

The course is open for students at the master's level who meet the prerequisites.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course consists of 2 lectures per week, with a total of 10-12 lectures, and 2-4 seminars with working groups over 6-8 weeks.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Participation in seminars with working groups is compulsory.

Forms of Assessment

The course is assessed through a take-home exam, which is given over 3 days. The exam can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.

Grading Scale

The grading scale is A-F.

Assessment Semester

Assessment is conducted in the teaching semester. A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to UiB study regulations § 5-5.

Reading List

The reading list will be ready before 1 July for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.