Syllabus
GEOG 390--Foundations of Geographical Analysis and Writing
Dr. Jacquelyn Chase
Spring 2013
MW 9-9:50
Friday: Work Remotely
Butte 501 and 111
Faculty Contact Information and Office Hours
Butte 527—898-5587
M/W/F 12-1 and MW 3-4 or by appointment
Please use BBL to send me messages
Course Description
Geography 390 explores the diversity of geographical perspectives through critical analyses of
written sources, independent information gathering, and research writing. The course introduces
students to topics and analyses in the geographical tradition; examines and evaluates library and
Internet resource materials pertinent to geographical research; and prepares students for
independent geographical scholarly research. This course is the Writing Proficiency(WP) course
for the major; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency.
Course Objectives
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Increase awareness of the diversity of the geographic discipline
Improve writing skills
Learn basic requirement of research design, execution and dissemination (writing and
presentation)
Heighten critical and analytical reading skills
Increase ability to make efficient and effective use of information sources
Provide familiarity with the major geographical journals (as well as related disciplines)
and the information they provide
Develop competency in the methods and techniques for conducting and writing
geographical research
Promote critical student discussion of the field of geography and its body of knowledge
Develop and improve public presentation skills
Materials
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Boyle, T.C. 1995. The tortilla curtain. New York: Penguin.
Optional: Turabian, Kate L. 2007. A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and
dissertations. 7th ed. University of Chicago Press. Keep this book for use in future
classes. Make sure you buy the 7th edition. The much abbreviated “quick guide” can be
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found at the following website (which is also on our Blackboard Learn):
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html. This
department has adopted the REFERENCE LIST style where sources are cited in the text
in parentheses.
Package of 3x5 inch lined note cards.
Access to a digital camera.
Access to computers and printers in Butte 501.
Evaluation and Other Information
Attendance: Punctual attendance of all class meetings and full participation in activities
(including those that involve peer feedback) are expected. Attendance is part of your partcipation
grade.
Late Work: Unless otherwise noted, assignments are due in class, and you must be in class to
turn them in. DO NOT EMAIL ME PAPERS. However, some will be required to be sent to Turn
It in. Due dates are in the syllabus. Late papers will lose points. Talk to me when you are having
trouble getting a paper in on time.
Classroom Environment: The classroom is a safe place where all ideas, as long as they do not
include bigotry, intolerance or hatred, can be expressed freely and openly. All comments should
be supportive and constructive. Use non-sexist language when speaking and writing. Do not use
the term “man-made,” and use “him,” “his,” “he” when you mean a male individual.
Equipment: Please turn off cell phones when coming to class. The benefit you might get from
using the equipment do not offset the distractions it causes for everyone.
Academic Honesty: If there is any evidence of academic dishonesty on the part of a student, I
will follow the university’s guidelines for dealing with academic integrity. Please become
familiar with these guidelines at http://www.csuchico.edu/prs/EMs/EM04/em04_36.htm and pay
close attention to class discussions on this topic. You may fail the course as a result of academic
dishonesty, and I will turn any evidence of dishonesty to Student Judicial Affairs.
We will spend time in class discussing what constitutes plagiarism (you might be surprised).
Blackboard Learn: Check BBL for updates. Announcements I send you will go to your campus
email. Please use BBL to send me any messages, which I will check for almost everyday. If you
have an urgent message for me, you can exceptionally use my campus email. Let me know if
something is not working in BBL.
Student Learning Center (SLC): The SLC prepares and supports students in their college course
work by offering a variety of programs and resources to meet student needs. You can call them
at 898-6839 or go to their website: http://www.csuchico.edu/slc/index.shtml
Americans with Disabilities Act: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a
disability or chronic illness, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building
must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during
office hours. Please also contact Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) as they are the designated
department responsible for approving and coordinating reasonable accommodations and services
for students with disabilities. ARC will help you understand your rights and responsibilities
under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide you further assistance with requesting and
arranging accommodations. Their phone number is 898-5959 and email is
arcdept@csuchico.edu. They are located at SSC 170.
Course Requirements
Assignment
Short Exercises, Class
Participation and Advising
Description
The course includes a set of short writing practices and short
exercises. Students will do some of these exercises in class and
some online. When online, see assignment in BBL for deadlines.
Instructor will announce when others are due. We will not
complete all exercises that are in the list, and new ones may be
added to this list as we go along. Some involve writing about
readings we are. Attendance, engagement and coming in for
advising will also count towards these points.
Themes of Geography
Book Review
A 3-5 page analysis of how themes of geography are represented
in The Tortilla Curtain
Census Assignment
Exploring census data and doing field observations/presenting
census data in tables and figures, and in a poster
Points
80
70
80
RESEARCH PAPER COMPONENT
Statement of Research
Outline or Concept Map
of Research Paper
Draft of Research
Paper/Note Cards
Final Research Paper
Oral Presentation
Total
Statement of your research topic, including a question (see rubric
for further information)
Draft outline or concept map with at least 5 sources (complete
references)
Complete draft with at least 30 well-documented note cards and
ten sources
7-10 page paper on a topic of your choice using at least ten peerreviewed articles or chapters and a small field work component.
It will be graded based on geographical content; effective use of
relevant literature; spelling, grammar, and composition; format.
Consultation with me in office hours is required. You may not
change your topic without consultation and only rarely will this
be allowed after your statement of proposal has been graded.
Well-prepared but brief presentation of your final research
20
20
20
200
10
500
Please note that your instructor may require rewrites of assignments. I am always happy to read
revisions of papers you choose to rewrite. I am committed to getting work back to you as soon as
possible, usually no longer than one week after you hand it in. Please keep all of your graded
work and rubrics. Some of it will be handed back in to me.
Grading Scale Based on Percentage of Total. You must receive at least a C- to pass this WP
course.
Score
95-100
90-94
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-72
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
C-
Tentative Course Schedule
Week
Week 1
Jan. 28, 30, Feb. 1
Week 2
Feb, 4, 6, 8
Week 3
Feb. 11,13, 15
Week 4
Feb. 18, 20, 22
Topic
The Geographical Approach
The Geographical Approach,
continued
The Geographical Approach,
continued
Foundations of secondary research
resources
Local data
Making Posters
Using the Internet as a Research Tool
Week 5
Feb. 25, 27, March 1
Data: Census and other government
data
Week 6
March 4, 6, 8
Applying your knowledge
Use of tables and graphs;
posters
Assignments or Activities
Exercises 1 and 2 from activities list in
class
Wednesday: “Your Information” Sheet
due (see syllabus)
Friday: Critique NRC report; post to
Blackboard Learn by 5 p.m.
Discuss Tortilla Curtain
Exercise 8 from activities list in class:
AAG Specialty Groups
Friday: Quick draft of Tortilla Curtain—
turn in to professor for review on BBL by
5 p.m.
Monday: Professor turns back draft of
Tortilla Curtain paper; discuss.
Geography Themes Book Review due
Wednesday to Turn It In. Discuss Hanks,
Ford
Friday: post Exercise 10 on lurking to
BBL by 5 p.m.
Introduction to Online Resources Special
Collections and Periodicals
Introduction to posters
Meet in Special Collections, third floor
Meriam Library on Wednesday
Friday: Exercise 12 from activities list;
submit to BBL (based on Brady reading)
by 5 p.m.
2010 census
Using census data: Introduction
Discuss Allen, Helzer
Friday: Send draft of first part of census
assignment to discussion board on BBL
with at least one table and graph by 5 p.m.
for peer review
Monday: Feedback on drafts
Wednesday: How to do a poster
Friday: Submit draft poster as PDF by 5
p.m.
Reading(s) and Websites
Read National Research Council
Report in Readings on BBL
Start reading Tortilla Curtain
Finish Tortilla Curtain
AAG Specialty Groups:
http://www.aag.org/cs/membership/
specialty_groups
Read Hankins in Readings on BBL
Read Ford in Readings on BBL
Read Brady in Readings on BBL
Suggested: Turabian part 13.3,
Posters
Turabian Ch. 3,Finding useful
sources
Read Allen in Readings on BBL
Read Helzer in Readings on BBL
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 8,
Presenting evidence in tables and
figures and Ch.26, Tables and
figures
Poster presentations on Monday
Wednesday: Census assignment due;
discuss field component of paper
Week 7
March 11, 13, 15
Ethics and research: Human Subjects
Friday: Submit draft Research Statement
including a question, by 5 p.m.to
discussion board
View first two Youtube videos on
human subjects in research:
http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/education
/
Suggested: Consult Turabian Ch.
18, 19 for referencing format
Week 8—SPRING BREAK Professor will send comments on research statements to you online over break
Week 9
March 25, 27, 29
What is a research paper?
Starting your research
Asking a question, taking notes
Week 10
Monday April 1—holiday
April 3, 5
Week 11
April 8, 12
Wednesday, April 10—
professor at conference
Week 12
April 15, 17, 19
Week 13
April 22, 24, 26
Week 14
April 29
May 1, 3
Prewriting /Outlining
Avoiding plagiarism
Collecting and documenting your
research
Using note cards
Paraphrasing
Format and Documentation
Writing abstracts
Style
Exploring internships and careers in
geography and planning
Monday: Library research tools—meet at
Meriam Library 226
Wednesday: Discuss research statements
Friday: Revise and resubmit research
statement to professor on BBL by 5 p.m.
Wednesday Exercise 15 from activities
list—analyze two articles
Note: must be done in advance of
Wednesday for in class discussion
Friday: Exercise 14 article analysis to
BBL by 5 p.m.
Outline and 5 sources due Monday
Friday: Exercise 18 from activities list on
paraphrasing by 5 p.m.
Monday: Exercise 22 in activities list on
references. Note: This exercise must be
prepared in advance and brought to class
on Monday
Wednesday: formatting critique
Friday: Submit revised reference list by 5
p.m.
Monday: Exercise 16 from activities list
on style; Exercise 21 from activities list,
abstracts
Wednesday: Exercise 19 from activities
list, freewrite draft in class
Friday: By this date, meet individually
with students to discuss drafts. Send
summary of meeting to BBL by 5 p.m.
AND
Submit complete draft Friday with 30
note cards and ten sources by 5 p.m.to
GEOP office (Butte 507)
Guest speaker Monday
Wednesday: Drafts handed back/Discuss
feedback
Friday: Submit a résumé that has been
looked at by Career Center to me for
feedback by 5 p.m.
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 1,What
research is, how to think about it;
asking questions
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 5,
Planning your argument; page 330
for example of outline format See
examples of outlines on BBL
Read the U of Arizona’s document
on plagiarism:
http://www.library.arizona.edu/help
/tutorials/plagiarism/index.html#Ho
w
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 4,
Engaging sources
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 18, 19,
Parenthetical citations and
references; Chapters20 and 21 and
Appendix: Paper Format and
Submissions 1/24/2013 10:53 AM
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 6 and 7,
writing a draft
See sample abstracts in BBL
Careers in Geography AAG
website:
http://communicate.aag.org/eseries/
scriptcontent/custom/giwis/cguide/
Week 15
Doing oral presentations
May 6, 8, 10
Week 16
May 13, 15, 17
Finals Week
Monday, May 20
10-11:50
Exercise 24 from activities list to prepare
for your presentation, in class Wednesday
Friday: Submit PP to instructor for
feedback (use PDF) by 5 p.m.
Wrap up
Presentations
Paper (hard copy) due Wednesday, by 5
p.m.—send digital to Turn It In as well.
Suggested: Turabian Ch. 13.1, 13.2
Your Information
Name: _______________________________________________
Email (please write clearly): ______________________________
Where are you from?
Your photo here:
One of the many “máscaras” in the
main plaza of Barva, Costa Rica
What is most interesting to you about geography?
What do you hope to learn in this class?
What is “good writing” to you?
What are you reading?
1/24/2013 10:55 AM