Postgraduate Course: Exploring Situated Methods 1: Site-Specific Field Lab (ARCH11287)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The Exploring Situated Methods 1: Site-Specific Field Lab course introduces critical fieldwork and associated transdisciplinary site-based methods, both theoretically and practically. Drawing on theories, practices and methodological tools across landscape studies, environmental arts and humanities, and architectural history and theory, you will develop situated explorations of specific built and natural environments. The course supports students to develop their understandings of critical fieldwork, how to engage experimentally with sites, and how to explore contemporary social and environmental issues through site-based work. Via seminars and field visits students will take part in instructor-led fieldwork exercises at specially chosen sites in and around Edinburgh, as well as engaging with readings of relevant foundational texts and regularly-updated cutting-edge texts. |
| Course description |
Exploring Situated Methods 1: Site-Specific Field Lab introduces students to critical fieldwork via a selection of methodological tools that underpin situated research approaches. A particular focus is on transdisciplinary approaches to foster the production of situated knowledge and experimental engagement. Establishing the fundamentals that will be developed across the MSc Architecture, Landscape and Environment, this compulsory core course will introduce students to ways of engaging experimentally with a site; how to use specific sites as a context of enquiry for contemporary challenges; and how to articulate their learning from site-based methods.
Students undertake mini theoretical and practical projects, as well as guided experiments in situ at various sites in the Edinburgh region. To support this activity, the course provides theoretical understanding of site-based/situated knowledge; experimental approaches to situated research; expanded conceptions of fieldwork; and humanities-based methodologies. Teaching will include six 2-hour seminars and two 3-hour external visits in the first half of the semester. The latter part of the semester will consist of self-directed field work, supported by tutorials, formative feedback sessions, and a revision session.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 12 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12,
Fieldwork Hours 6,
External Visit Hours 6,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
166 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Students prepare one summative assessment throughout the course:
Fieldwork diary (4,500 words) 100%
A reflective fieldwork diary (ranging from 4,150 to 4,950 words), which reports on the mini-project and guided experiments undertaken, integrates reflections on material from across the course, and is supported by relevant visual material.
This assignment is based on individual work. It is assessed on all Learning Outcomes, weighted equally against each one.
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| Feedback |
Formative Feedback
Alongside feedback as a part of regular teaching activities, there will be three specific points in the semester for formative feedback:
1. Students will submit a 500-word extract from their fieldwork diary drafts in the first half of the semester, reflecting on their growing understanding of critical fieldwork. Written formative feedback will be provided.
2. Students will make a 10-minute mid-semester presentation on the focus of their reflective fieldwork diary and receive verbal feedback from course tutors and peers. Written formative feedback will also be provided.
3. Students will be offered individual tutorials in the latter half of the semester to discuss their progress.
These formative points of feedback help students develop work for the summative component.
Summative Feedback
Students will receive written feedback via Learn on their summative submission. This feedback will include individualised recommendations to take forward to the semester 2 core course: Exploring Situated Methods 2: Independent Field Lab.
Feedback will be provided as per University regulations. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Reflect critically on situated fieldwork methodologies and associated theoretical frameworks
- Identify ways that specific site-based enquiries speak to wider contemporary social and/or environmental challenges
- Communicate methodological reflections coherently and creatively in written and visual formats
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Reading List
Evans, D. (ed.) (2012) The Art of Walking: A Field Guide. London: Black Dog Publishing.
Ewing, S. et al. (2010) (Eds). Architecture and Field/Work. London: Routledge.
Ingold, T. and Vergunst, J. L. (eds.) (2008) Ways of Walking: Ethnography and Practice on Foot, London: Ashgate.
Pink, S. (2009) Doing Sensory Ethnography. London: SAGE.
Tilley, C. (1994) A Phenomenology of Landscape: Places, Paths and Monuments. Oxford: Berg
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course will support you to:
- Think critically and creatively, by applying critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to issues at the forefront of research on built and natural environments.
- Draw on skilled communication to enhance your understanding of methodological issues, how they apply to specific sites, and engage effectively with others in informal discussion and more formal presentations and writing.
- Develop your personal and intellectual autonomy by developing individual responses to tasks, integrating feedback, setting your own goals and timelines while identifying strengths and weaknesses relative to the work.
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| Special Arrangements |
This course is only available to students taking MSc Architecture, Landscape and Environment |
| Keywords | methods,site specific research,fieldwork,interdisciplinary approaches |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Penny Travlou
Tel: (0131 6)51 5825
Email: p.travlou@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Laura Varga
Tel: (0131 6)50 2430
Email: laura.varga@ed.ac.uk |
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