Geographic Thought & Practice

Welcome, Spring 2015

This is the class weblog for GEOG 495W: History & Philosophy of Geography at Western Oregon University. The blog is used for updating information about the course, including Assignments and Readings. Feel free to use the "Comments" feature to ask questions or leave remarks on entries for which you have concerns or need clarification.

For more about the course, go to the main GEOG 495 page on my faculty website.

Spring 2015: Discussion of Term Essays, Capstones, and Major Projects

On R 6/4 (see Calendar), we will devote part of the class meeting to discussing the Term Essays, which should be mostly completed by that time. In our discussion, be prepared to share:

• Your personal reasons for studying geography.
• Which chapters in Cresswell and Clifford you found most relevant to your own interests.
• Which courses you went back to as you thought through your interests.
• What aspects of geography you are now more curious about having read Cresswell and selections from Clifford and also taken this course.

Participation in this discussion is worth three (3) points.

Following our discussion of the Term Essays and the course assessment, I will be available to meet with you individually to discuss Capstones and Major Projects as needed.

Spring 2015: Finals Week

1. We will not meet as a class.
2. Final Drafts of the Term Essays are due via Moodle by 1:50 pm on R 6/11. Additional details on Moodle.
• Term essays should have a clear answer to the original prompt: "Why do you study geography?"
• Essays should demonstrate critical thinking about your answer to this question by relating your personal reasons to what you have learned this term from reading and discussing Cresswell and Clifford.
• You should also show reflection on your geography coursework here at Western. Which courses mattered most to you and have had the greatest influence on your reasons for studying geography?
• The final draft can be written in an informal, conversational style, but should clearly answer the question and demonstrate the required critical thinking and reflection. The final draft should be carefully composed and edited with minimal problems with basic mechanics, word choice and spelling.
• In-text parenthetical references with author last name and page number will work for citation of class texts. Any other reading should use this guide for citations.
• Four to eight pages, double-spaced with standard margins and reasonably-sized text, seems like a reasonable guideline for length, but I will not be assessing these papers on length.
• You can view the original instructions for this assignment here and here.
• The final draft of this assignment is worth seven (7) points from a total of twenty (20).
3. Capstone Proposals are due at 1:50 pm on T 6/9 via Moodle. Details on Moodle. Specific requirements will have been worked out with each of you individually. Contact me with questions or concerns.
4. Final work products for the Major Projects are due at 1:50 pm on R 6/11 via Moodle. Specific requirements will have been worked out with each of you individually. Contact me with questions or concerns.
5. For work to count towards your final grade in Spring 2015, it will need to be submitted by 5:00 pm on F 6/12. No extensions will be granted for after that date and time.
6. I will post Finals Week office hours to my faculty homepage by the end of this week.

Spring 2015: Cresswell Review

In class on T 6/2 (see the Calendar) we will review Cresswell. Come prepared to share:

1. The chapter you found most interesting.
2. The chapter(s) you found most relevant to your interests, and specifically to your Capstone or Major Project.
3. The chapter you found the most confusing.
4. At least two questions you have about, "the history and philosopy of geography," at the end of the text.

Spring 2015: Drop-in consultations R 5/28

On R 5/28, class time will be used for another round of drop-in consultations.

These consultations are not required, but I will be available during class time to consult with you on your Capstones or Major Projects or Term Essays as needed. Feel free to schedule a specific time during the period if that works better for you.

For additional details, see the Calendar.

Spring 2015: Capstone Proposals Formatting

When formatting your Capstone proposals, include the following:

1. A title page ( Download CapstoneProposalTitlePageSpring2015).
2. An abstract, which should be an up 500 word summary of the proposal. Include up to five keywords; think about terms that someone could use to find your proposal online or in a library database.
3. The main body of your proposal, which should follow the appropriate outline from the Capstone Requirements (view and download pdf).

Capstones & Major Projects Spring 2015: Return of Preliminary Work

On R 5/21, I will return the preliminary work for your Capstone Proposals or Major Projects submitted the previous week (see the Calendar). Work will be returned inidividually during meetings in my office (HSS 217). Sign-up for these meetings will take place in class on T 5/19. If you miss that class meeting, you can still contact me to schedule a spot in the order.

When we meet, I will offer comments and suggestions from my review of your work.

Major Projects students, be prepared to discuss the final form of your work.

Capstone students, we will discuss how to best use the remainder of the term for progress towards completion of your proposals. You should be consulting with your advisor about their expectations for your proposals as well.

These meetings are worth three (3) points. If you cannot meet with me during the scheduled class time, you may drop in during my office hours or we can arrange for an electronic consultation. You will have until noon on R 5/21 to make appropriate alternate arrangements as needed.

Term Essays: Drafts Spring 2015

Drafts

For next T 5/19 (see the Calendar)  you should have a draft of your Term Essay prepared for peer review. Details about peer review to be provided in class on T.

• Ideas can be rough and parts of the paper can be in outline form.
• Formatting should be what you would expect for a formal academic essay: reasonably sized fonts and margins and double-spaced. Citation of sources should follow these guidelines. However, at this point, citations do not need to be complete.
• For unfinished or rougher parts of the paper, provide a sense of what you think you will be writing about for the final draft.
• You will submit a draft of your essay to me by noon on R 5/21 via Moodle. Additional details on Moodle.
• You may revise your draft in between your peer review and providing me with a copy.
• Submission of the draft is worth six (6) points. If you are not in class for the peer review and you do not make up the peer review with me before submission, I will deduct up to two (2) points from your score for the draft.

To remind yourself of the general requirements for this assignment, go here and here.

New geography course in Fall

If you are looking for upper division geography or social science credits for Fall, I am offering a "Special Topics" course that may fit your needs:

Spring 2015: week 7 work time, check-ins, and submission of preliminary work

Next T (5/12) is designated for work time on your Capstone Proposals and Major Projects. I will be available in my office (HSS 217) for consultations during this period.

Even if you do not want to see me on T for substantive help on your assignment, you will still need to check in with me, in person or via e-mail, before the start of class time on R 5/14 to sign up for a time to submit and discuss your preliminary work scheduled for that day.

Meetings on R 5/14 will follow the sign-up order. Most meetings will only last a few minutes but some may be closer to twenty or thirty minutes. I will be available after scheduled class time is over to meet with you as needed. If meeting with me on R turns out not to be convenient for you, we can make alternate arrangements, but that is your responsibility. You will only get credit for this part of the Major Project or Capstone Preparation if you get your work submitted directly to me with consultation.

Your submission of preliminary work should follow our discussion during the drop-in consulations in week 5. You may submit your work electronically in advance of our scheduled meeting time or bring your work to me in-person at that time.

Submission of Preliminary Work is worth seven (7) points.

See the Calendar for additional information.

Capstones & Major Projects Spring 2015: Drop-in consultations T 4/28

I have set aside class time next T (4/28) for drop-in consultations about your Capstone Preparations and Major Projects. These meetings will take place in my office, HSS 217 (see, the Calendar).

This time will be used to follow-up on details related to our previous discussions, including topics and research questions, media and format. We will also work out initial details for the submission of preliminary work scheduled for R 5/14 (additional details TBA).

I expect that some consultations will only take a few minutes, while others may take closer to a half hour or more. If you want a specific start time, let me know, and I will, within reason, assign you priority for that time. You may also meet with me during office hours that week to discuss your Capstone or Major Project.

Whenever you choose to meet with me, this consultation is a required part of your Capstone Preparations or Major Project and is worth two (2) point towards your grade. You will have until 7:00 pm on Friday 5/1 to schedule an alternate day and time if you do not or cannot meet with me during this week. We could also arrange for a consultation via electronic communication rather than meeting face-to-face. If you miss that deadline, I will still meet with you to discuss your project and discuss details for the submission of preliminary work, but you will not receive credit for the consultation as part of your assignment.