Course Information
GGR318H5F: Political Geography
Tuesdays 9am – 11am
Instructor Information
Joseph Leydon, M.A. Ph.D.
Email: joseph.leydon@utoronto.ca
Office Hours: Mondays 11am-12pm; Tuesdays 11am-12pm
Course Goals
Political geography is concerned with the spatial expression of political entities and events. It
involves analysis at a variety of scales ranging from the local to the global. The control and
manipulation of territory and the imposition of political boundaries and political ideas are central
to this analysis. The course provides discussion on nation building, the emergence of the state
system, theories on the state, and the role of the state as provider of services and regulator of
activities, and electoral geography and governance. [24L]
Course Readings
Jones, M., Jones, R., Woods, M., Whitehead, M., Dixon D., & Hannah, M., (2015) Introduction
to Political Geography: Space, Place, and Politics, Routledge ISBN: 9780415457972 Additional
readings will be made available through the course quercus site.
Course Assessment Scheme
In-class Quiz
Term Test
Assignment 1: Reflection
Assignment 2: Reflection
Assignment 3: Essay
Final Examination
Sept. 9
Oct. 14
Sept. 30 @ 9am
Oct. 21 @ 9am
Nov 11@ 9am
December Examination Period
5%
15%
8%
8%
24%
40%
As per the University Grading Practices Policy, please note that after the methods of evaluation
have been made known, the instructor may not change them or their relative weight without the
consent of at least a simple majority of the students enrolled in the course. Any changes shall
be reported to the division or the department.
Late Penalty
A penalty of 10% per day (weekends account for 1 day) will be applied to late assignments. All
assignments are due the prescribed time to the course quercus site. A late penalty applies
immediately and accumulation at each subsequent 24 hours of the prescribed due time. To
receive academic accommodation medical documentation must be provided within 5 days of the
due date of the assignment to the Department of Geography. Failure to comply will result in a
grade of zero. Please see the Policies section for additional information.
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Course Goals
The general goals of GGR318H5F are for students to:
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Acquire knowledge of the subject matter of political geography;
Develop an understanding of the relationships between politics and space;
Engage in a critical understanding of political processes at different scales;
Gain an understanding of the relationships between politics, power, space and
representation;
Articulate in written tests and examination a strong understanding of the course material
and the theory related to political geography without the use of aids;
Develop the skills and knowledge base necessary to pursue further studies in geopolitics.
Learning Objective
After successfully completing GGR318H5F, you should be able to:
• Communicate clearly the subject matter of political geography;
• Articulate the relationship between space and power
• Understand the operations of political representation at different geographic scale
• Convey an understanding of the roles and function of the state and articulate different
theoretical perspectives
• Produce well written and well organized assignments that reflect a clear understanding of
the assigned task;
• Communicate in written tests and examinations a clear understanding lecture material
and reading material including the terminology and theories related to political geography
without the use of aids;
• Pursue further advances studies in political geography and geopolitics and in related
social, economic, and cultural specializations in geography.
Notes on Items of Assessment
in-class Quiz: The in-class quiz will gather basic information on your levels of political
awareness to inform class discussion. The 5% grade will be awarded for the completion of the
quiz not the validity of responses.
Midterm Test: The Midterm Test will cover material (class material and readings) up to the date
of the test. It will be in written-answer format 90 minutes in duration held in the normal class
time. Additional information will be posted on the course Quercus site and discussed in class.
Goals of Midterm Test: The principal goals are to test your comprehension of material
discussed in class and in course readings and assess your ability to communicate this
understanding in an organized and coherent manner.
Assignments: There will be two short reflections relating to specific class material and an essay
relating to the US electoral processes and governance.
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Assignment goals: To explore a critical understanding of key political geography events and
themes
Final Exam: The Final Examination will cover all course material (class material and course
readings). It will be in written-answer format, two hours in duration. The date and location will
be posted by the Registrar with the December Exam Schedule. Additional information will be
posted on the course Quercus site and discussed in class.
Goals of Final Exam: The principal goals are to test your comprehension of material
presented in class and in readings, and to assess your ability to communicate understanding of
the material in an organized, coherent manner in written format, utilize appropriate
terminology, cite examples, apply what you have learned, and synthesize material from
different parts of the course.
DEPARTMENT AND COURSE POLICIES
PLEASE NOTE: GGE POLICIES SUPERSEDE ANY CAMPUS-WIDE POLICIES THAT MIGHT
BE STATED BELOW
 Use of ChatGPT / Generative AI
The use of generative artificial intelligence tools or apps for assignments in this course,
including tools like ChatGPT and other AI writing or coding assistants, is prohibited
 Masking in Classrooms
Masking is encouraged and supported in areas where physical distancing becomes challenging.
However, if the mandatory mask requirement is reinstated, we will update you with information
about the requirements and about any mask wearing exemptions. All student masking
accommodations will be handled through UTM Accessibility.
 Student Technology Requirements and Connection Tools
Students are expected to review and be in compliance with the University’s requirements for
online learning (https://www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/tech-requirements-onlinelearning/). More resources are available on the UTM Library’s Learn Anywhere website
(https://utm.library.utoronto.ca/students/quercus/learn-anywhere).
Zoom may be used in the delivery of components of this course. Students are required to
register for a UTM Zoom account (https://utoronto.zoom.us) prior to the first lecture. Only
authenticated users can join the zoom meetings; please follow the instructions to ensure that
your account is authenticated.
 Privacy and Use of Course Materials Notifications
There are currently no plans to record any material in this course. If the situation changes and
announcement will be made, and the following policy will apply:
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This course, including your participation, will be recorded on video and will be available to
students in the course for viewing remotely and after each session. Course videos and materials
belong to your instructor, the University, and/or other sources depending on the specific facts
of each situation, and are protected by copyright. Do not download, copy, or share any course
or student materials or videos without the explicit permission of the instructor. For questions
about recording and use of videos in which you appear please contact your instructor.
 Communications Policy
Students are encouraged to be available during posted office hour(s). Correspondence by email
or requesting a meeting outside of the scheduled office hour(s) is also acceptable. In all email
correspondence regarding this course, please note the following:
1. Always use your University of Toronto email address (…@mail.utoronto.ca) for all courserelated communications.
2. Include the course code as part of your subject line, and include your full name and student
number in the body of the email
3. Check the course Quercus site before emailing a question, to make sure that it has not already
been answered
Please contact the department’s Academic Advisor (advisor.gge.utm@utoronto.ca) for any
department- or program-related queries or to submit documentation regarding a missed quiz or
test.
 Inclement Weather Closure
If UTM campus is closed due to inclement weather, all classes are cancelled, whether online or
in-person. Campus closures are posted on the Campus Status page. Instructors may not
schedule additional “make-up” class meetings beyond the class hours already in the UTM
Timetable.
 Missed Term Work
Late assignments will be subject to a late penalty of 10% per day (including weekends) of the
total marks for the assignment. Assignments submitted five calendar days beyond the due date
will be assigned a grade of zero.
Term Work – Accommodations
1. Accommodations due to late registration into the course will NOT be approved.
2. In courses with final exams, there will be no re-writes or make-ups for term tests/quizzes
missed for University-accepted, verifiable reasons. Instead, the final exam will be re-weighted
by the value of the term test/quiz.
3. For in-class or online quiz/test, students CANNOT petition to re-write a quiz/test once it has
begun. If you are feeling ill, please do not start the online or in-class test and seek medical
attention immediately.
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4. Extension requests are not permitted for open-book, or take-home tests. Extensions are built
into the time provided for the test.
5. Assignments cannot be re-weighted to the final exam.
6. For extension requests, the maximum extension (where/when possible) is determined by the
value of the work. Typical, extension times, if approved, are as follows:
Assignments/Lab Reports <10% of the course grade – maximum extension 2 days
Assignments/Lab Reports 10-20% of the course grade – maximum extension 5 days
Assignments/Lab Reports >20% of the course grade – maximum extension 7 days
7. Extension requests must be made IN ADVANCE of the assignment due date.
8. Assignments handed in AFTER the work has been returned to the class cannot be marked for
credit.
9. Students are responsible for ensuring a strong, reliable internet connection. Special
consideration requests due to poor internet connection (i.e. unable to complete the online quiz
/ unable to submit assignment before the deadline) will not be accepted.
10. Students are expected to back up their work at all times. As such, extension requests due to
computer issues (stolen, crashed, damaged etc.) will not be considered.
11. Extension requests will NOT be approved for Group Assignments
12. It is every student’s responsibility to ensure that their online submission is submitted
successfully by the due date. Accommodations will not be made for unsuccessful submissions
due to, but not limited to: i) the system timing out ii) submitting the incorrect document(s) iii)
poor internet connection / no internet connection etc.
13. Holidays and pre-purchased plane tickets, family plans, your friend’s wedding, lack of
preparation, or too many other tests/assignments are not acceptable excuses for missing a
quiz, a test, an item of term work, or requesting an extension of time. Such requests will be
denied.
14. For extensions of time beyond the examination period you must submit a petition through the
Office of the Registrar. https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar/forms
How to Request an Accommodation
In the Geography, Geomatics and Environment department, professors cannot grant
extensions on term work or allow makeups for missed items. Instead, you must follow the
following steps:
1. You must submit an online Special Consideration Request using the following link:
https://utmapp.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest within 24 hours.
Students registered with Accessibility Services are also required to submit an online Special
Consideration Request using the following link:
https://utmapp.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest
2. Declare absence on ACORN; or upload/submit supporting documentation to your request:
ACORN Absence Declaration Tool: Students may utilize this option once per term for a
single absence period of up to seven consecutive days. The declaration period must include
the day of declaration and may include past and/or future dates, for a total of up to 7
calendar days. Use of this declaration does not require supporting documentation and should
be used in addition to the missed term work policy outlined in their course syllabus. It remains
the student’s responsibility to initiate the process of academic consideration for missed
academic obligations by following the instructions in the course syllabus and notifying their
instructor. Instructors may exclude one term test/quiz, as per the course syllabus. For more
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information and to declare absence:
https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar/enrolment/manage/absence-declaration
In the Department of Geography, Geomatics and Environment, the maximum extension
(where/when possible) is determined by the value of the work. Typical extension times, if
approved, are as follows:
Assignments/Lab Reports <10% of the course grade – maximum extension 2 days
Assignments/Lab Reports 10-20% of the course grade – maximum extension 5 days
Assignments/Lab Reports >20% of the course grade – maximum extension 7 days
Please note that students are required to submit their assignment/lab as soon as they
are able, and they should NOT wait for the decision of the committee. Number of days
approved for an extension will be calculated from the original assignment due date.
Documentation Submission
If you have already used your ACORN Absence Declaration (or prefer not to), you will need
to submit supporting documentation to the department with your Special Consideration
Request:

Documentation must be uploaded to the Special Consideration System within 72 hours of the
original assignment due date or test/quiz date.

Please retain the original copies of your documentation. If we need to verify your
documentation, we will contact you with further instructions.
It is your responsibility to follow the appropriate procedures and submit requests for special
consideration on time. Failure to do so may result in the committee denying your request.
Should you require further information regarding Special Considerations, please contact the
GGE Academic Advisor (advisor.gge.utm@utoronto.ca).
Please note that the written explanation and documentation that you submit represent an appeal
from you, requesting the opportunity to account for that portion of your grade in some other
manner. If a special consideration request is not received, or if the special consideration request
is denied, you will receive a grade of zero for the item you missed. If the special consideration
request is granted – that is, your reason for missing the item is considered acceptable by the
committee – your grade will be accommodated accordingly.
A Departmental committee evaluates each request. Decisions will be communicated by email
within two weeks of receipt of all completed documents. Note: It is your responsibility to
ensure your email account is working and able to receive emails. Claims that a Departmental
decision was not received will NOT be considered as a reason for further consideration. Contact
the GGE Academic Advisor (advisor.gge.utm@utoronto.ca), should you NOT receive notification
of your decision within 2 weeks of submission.
 Equity Statement and Academic Rights:
The University of Toronto is committed to equity and respect for diversity. All members of the
learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect.
As a course instructor, I will neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the
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dignity or self-esteem of any individual in this course and wish to be alerted to any attempt to
create an intimidating or hostile environment. It is our collective responsibility to create a space
that is inclusive and welcomes discussion. Discrimination, harassment and hate speech will
not be tolerated. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may contact the UTM
Equity and Diversity officer at edo.utm@utoronto.ca or the University of Toronto Mississauga
Students’ Union Vice President Equity at vpequity@utmsu.ca.
The Department of Geography, Geomatics, and Environment at the University of Toronto
Mississauga strives to uphold a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness which
requires that we:

address the complexity of our disciplines’ histories, and

hold ourselves and others to account in order to challenge how we, as individuals and as part
of larger institutions, continue to perpetuate inequity and injustice as we seek to create a more
equitable and inclusive future.
Geographical and environmental disciplines – both in science and social science – have
complicated histories. As academic pursuits and as practical tools for research and teaching,
our disciplines have played core roles in settler colonialism and the institutionalization of
racism and white supremacy – in the displacement and dispossession of Indigenous peoples,
racist immigration policies, and environmental injustices perpetrated against Indigenous and
Black populations, among many other forms of oppression.
As a department, as a collective, and as a group of colleagues, we recognize our shortcomings—
but we also acknowledge our fundamental commitment to diversity and inclusion. We seek to
cultivate a departmental culture that welcomes and supports our students, staff, and faculty
with diverse education and experiential backgrounds into our community, especially those who
belong to groups that are currently underrepresented in academia. We are committed to
providing a fair, equitable, and mutually supportive learning and working environment for all
students, staff, and faculty.
 Academic Rights
You, as a student at UTM, have the right to:
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Receive a syllabus by the first day of class.
o
Rely upon a syllabus once a course is started. An instructor may only change marks’
assignments by following the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy provision 1.3.
o
Refuse to use plagiarism detection tool (you must be offered an alternative form of submission).
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Have access to your instructor for consultation during a course or follow up with the
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department chair if the instructor is unavailable.
Ask the person who marked your term work for a re-evaluation if you feel it was not fairly
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graded. You have up to one month from the date of return of the item to inquire about the
mark. If you are not satisfied with a re-evaluation, you may appeal to the instructor in charge
of the course if the instructor did not mark the work. If your work is remarked, you must
accept the resulting mark. You may only appeal a mark beyond the instructor if the term work
was worth at least 20% of the course mark.
Receive at least one significant mark (15% for H courses, 25% for Y courses) before the last day
o
you can drop a course for H courses, and the last day of classes in the first week of January for
Y courses taught in the Fall/Winter terms.
o
Submit handwritten essays so long as they are neatly written.
o
Have no assignment worth 100% of your final grade.
o
Not have a term test worth 25% or more in the last two weeks of class.
o
Retain intellectual property rights to your research.
o
Receive all your assignments once graded.
o
View your final exams. To see a final exam, you must submit an online Exam Reproduction
Request within 6 months of the exam. There is a small non-refundable fee.
o
Privacy of your final grades.
o
Arrange for representation from Downtown Legal Services (DLS), a representative from the UTM
Students’ Union (UTMSU), and/or other forms of support if you are charged with an academic
offence.
 Academic Integrity/Honesty or Academic Offenses:
It is your responsibility as a student at the University of Toronto to familiarize yourself with,
and adhere to, both the Code of Student Conduct and the Code of Behaviour on Academic
Matters.
This means, first and foremost, that you should read them carefully.
o
The Code of Student Conduct is available from the U of T Mississauga website (Registrar >
Academic Calendar > Codes and Policies) or in your print version of the Academic Calendar.
o
The Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters is available from the U of T Mississauga website
(Registrar > Academic Calendar > Codes and Policies) or in your print version of the Academic
Calendar.
Another helpful document that you should read is How Not to Plagiarize, by M. Proctor.
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Students are expected to adhere to the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters regardless of
the course delivery method. By offering students the opportunity to learn remotely, UTM
expects that students will maintain the same academic honesty and integrity that they would
in a classroom setting. Potential academic offences in a digital context include, but are not
limited to:
o
Accessing unauthorized resources (search engines, chat rooms, Reddit, etc.) for assessments.
o
Using technological aids (e.g. software) beyond what is listed as permitted in an assessment.
o
Posting test, essay, or exam questions to message boards or social media.
o
Creating, accessing, and sharing assessment questions and answers in virtual “course groups.”
o
Working collaboratively, in-person or online, with others on assessments that are expected to
be completed individually.
All suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be investigated following procedures outlined in
the Code of Behaviour on Academic Matters. If you have questions or concerns about what
constitutes appropriate academic behaviour or appropriate research and citation methods, you
are expected to seek out additional information on academic integrity from your instructor or
from other institutional resources.
 University Plagiarism Detection Tool Conditions of Use Statement
“Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to the University’s plagiarism
detection tool for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so,
students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the tool’s reference
database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that
apply to the University’s use of this tool are described on the Centre for Teaching Support &
Innovation web site (https://uoft.me/pdt-faq).”
 How to Query or Challenge a Mark:
Please note that, according to UTM policy, you have one month from the date an item is
returned to you, during which time you may query the mark or submit the item for remarking.
Contact the Course Instructor in person or by email (@utoronto.ca) for all queries about course
marks, or if you wish to challenge a mark. Absolutely no item will be remarked after the onemonth period has passed.
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Material submitted for remarking must be accompanied by a brief written explanation detailing
your reasons for dissatisfaction with the original mark (such as an addition error, or something
you think the marker may have missed). The item may be returned first to the TA who
originally marked it. If you are still dissatisfied, it may be passed on to the Course Instructor
for reconsideration. If a remarking is granted by an instructor, the student must accept the
resulting mark as the new mark, whether it goes up or down or remains the same.
 Accessibility:
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in our courses. In particular, if
you have a disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please approach
UTM’s Accessibility Services as soon as possible.
Accessibility staff (located in room 2037B, Davis Building) are available by appointment to
assess specific needs, provide referrals, and arrange appropriate accommodations. Please call
905-569-4699 or email access.utm@utoronto.ca. The sooner you let UTM’s Accessibility
Services know your needs, the quicker they can assist you in achieving your learning goals
 Policy on Religious Observances:
As noted in the Policy on Scheduling of Classes and Examinations and Other Accommodations
for Religious Observances, the following provisions are included:
o “It is the policy of the University of Toronto to arrange reasonable accommodation of the needs
of students who observe religious holy days other than those already accommodated by ordinary
scheduling and statutory holidays.
o Students have a responsibility to alert members of the teaching staff in a timely fashion to
upcoming religious observances and anticipated absences. Instructors will make every
reasonable effort to avoid scheduling tests, examinations or other compulsory activities at these
times. If compulsory activities are unavoidable, every reasonable opportunity should be given to
these students to make up work that they miss, particularly in courses involving laboratory work.
When the scheduling of tests or examinations cannot be avoided, students should be informed
of the procedure to be followed to arrange to write at an alternate time.
o It is most important that no student be seriously disadvantaged because of her or his religious
observances. However, in the scheduling of academic and other activities, it is also important to
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ensure that the accommodation of one group does not seriously disadvantage other groups within
the University community.”
o With respect to minimum advance notice, the Policy provides that "Students have a responsibility
to alert members of the teaching staff in a timely fashion to upcoming religious observances and
anticipated absences." Since students would normally be aware of upcoming religious
observances as well as examination schedules in advance, a minimum of three weeks advance
notice will be considered sufficient.
o More information and some dates of potential relevance for the U of T community are available
at
www.viceprovoststudents.utoronto.ca/publicationsandpolicies/guidelines/religiousobservances
.htm.
o As with any academic accommodation request, students must submit an on-line Special
Consideration Request @ https://utmapp.utm.utoronto.ca/SpecialRequest
 RGASC Statement:
The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (RGASC) is located in Room 3251 on the third floor
of the Maanjiwe nendamowinan Building. The RGASC offers individual consultations, workshops
(many CCR-accredited), and a wide range of programs to help students identify and develop the
academic skills they need for success in their studies.Visit the RGASC website to explore their
online resources, book an in-person or online appointment, or learn about other programming
such as Writing Retreats, the Program for Accessing Research Training (PART), Mathematics and
Numeracy Support, and dedicated resources for English Language Learners.
 UTM Library’s Statement:
The University of Toronto Libraries connect students with the world-class collections needed to
successfully conduct research and complete assignments. At the UTM Library, located within the
Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, students will find dedicated support for their courses:
 Reference and Research Help via in-person drop-in and the Ask a Librarian virtual chat service
 Research guides developed by subject expert liaison librarians, plus individual consultations
on request
 Workshops on navigating databases, finding relevant articles, using software, citing correctly,
and more
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