This syllabus is subject to change without notice. Contact the professor for most recent changes.
17-88-301-01
Field Methods
Instructor: Dr. Janet Cherrington-Cucore f:Field
Methods\syllabus\fall99
Office:
106b Morris Hall Phone/Voice
Mail: 507-389-5031
Office
Hours: Anytime, by appointment. Also there will be time before and after
class sessions for questions and discussion.
I encourage you to stop and visit with me during the semester.
Note: Be
sure to include characters “URSI301” in
your E-mail subject line.
Texts:
The
Planner’s Use of Information, Dandekar, Hemalata C.
Other Supplies:
An
engineering scale and additional items such as markers, paper, film and camera,
photocopies.
Course Goal:
This course is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in collecting data from the field. To plan and solve problems requires data. However, often the data needed is not readily available. Therefore, we will learn how to use a variety of methods to collect data. These will include (but not be limited to): observation, measuring, researching records, interviewing, counting and surveying, and photography. In the process, you should be able to both verbally explain and apply concepts to a planning problem. Our emphasis will be on understanding the basic techniques involved in urban research.
The field lab component of the course is designed to reinforce some of the principles we will read about and discuss in class. Field exercises will allow you to collect data and make observations that can later aid planners and decision-makers.
Course Objectives:
To learn many of the basic principles that guide the collection of planning data in the field.
To learn how to display, present and analyze collected data in different ways for decision-makers and planners.
To develop techniques for presenting data, including the use of narratives, graphics, maps, charts, sketches, comparison perspectives, composite analysis, and matrix analysis.
To develop non-verbal and verbal skills to frame research techniques.
Course Requirements:
· 3 Major projects turned in as reports and presented as outlined below.
· Text readings and some reserve article readings as assigned. Possible random quizzes
· Some small writing tasks or exercises
· Working in small groups and participating individually in class discussions.
Grading Policy:
Project #1 15%
Project #2 25%
Project #3 25%
“ “ Oral presentation 15%
Writing tasks/exercises 20%
100%