Module outline
The Geography core includes an assessed tutorial component with personal academic tutors in
small groups of about five students. In this module study personal skills are developed, career
ambitions explored and academic discussion takes place around a defined syllabus. Academic
coursework in the Level 1 Tutorial module examines the 'global and integrative themes' that
emerge from the topics discussed in the first year Geography modules and through such enquiry
develops a range of academic study skills. These include:

The planning of work routines and the setting of academic and personal targets;

Library use and how to build an effective reading programme; styles of note making/annotation
and bibliographic referencing;

Data gathering, analysis and interpretation;

Geographical Essay Writing and examination technique (students are introduced to good writing
skills and the qualities used to assess written work).

The development and assessment of these study skills will take the form of two short assignments.
In the first semester, for example, these might involve Library skills: in the second semester,
research skills in the gathering and reporting on secondary or local field data. The marks for both
these assignments will be used in the final assessment. In addition, a minimum of four essays must
be submitted as required by the tutor and the marks from three of these will be used in the final
assessment. Topics for essays will vary. They may include themes such as those dealing with
environmental change, or, the relationship between climate and geomorphological processes.
They may examine the impact of population growth on urbanisation, or, globalisation and
nationalism, or, recent structural changes in the world economy and their repercussions on
cultural diversity. The essays are both formative and summative and students should expect
feedback from the tutor after each piece of work on how they may improve subsequent essays.

The tutorial module offers students the opportunity to engage directly in their learning, to
contribute to discussion and give presentations on their work in a small group setting. Alongside
its academic role, discussion can take place of CV building and careers opportunities. A tutor's
judgement of the overall performance of a student over the full programme forms a final, minor
component in module assessment.

Aims of the module
The tutorial module is designed to be a complementary module for students taking at least 30 credits in Geography modules. It
provides a basis for close and regular supervisory contact with students throughout the year.

Module objectives / Learning outcomes
The module has three specific objectives. First, as a source of close, working contact, it can more effectively address the
general academic and pastoral problems confronted by students during the year. Second, each Geography Tutorial Module is
designed to have its own independent academic syllabus. At Level 1, this will focus on drawing out the 'global and
integrative themes' that run through the Geography programme and which are best dealt with as a separate thematic overlay
to the Level 1 course. Third, it will address a defined range of study skills, enabling students to cope more effectively with the
basic demands of academic study, develop transferable skills, and enable them to exploit more fully the possibilities offered by
our programme.