Due: Feb. 7
Worth: 5%
Where: Electronic Instruction room Weldon Libary - Walk past the Research Help Desk, through the open space with the PCs and into the 'Spencer Gallery' (area with art on the walls). Turn left and you'll find the EI Room a short way down on your right.
Description: Dan Sich from Western Libraries will provide information pertaining to the use of bibliographical search engines. You will submit a document that summarizes your assessment of the databases and your search strategy pertaining to your thesis topic. You are required to:
a) Justify and analyse the performance of each database
b) Document the search strategies that you used in each database (provide your key search terms and search set combinations). Note: Most data bases have a “save search strategy” option with print/e-mail capabilities.
c) Generate a bibliographic data set of 10-20 key titles.
The assignment is to be submitted electronically to Dan Sich with the following filename: "Geography_9099_Your_Name"
Write in a formal style, cite appropriately, and include a title page at the begining and a reference list - maximum 750-1000 words of text (approximately 3-4 pages double spaced).
We probably don't need to remind you that plagiarism is a serious scholastic offence (cite appropriately!).
Description: You will submit a paper copy of your thesis proposal written for a general audience - maximum 2500 words (approximately 10 pages double spaced) - plus a title page, bibliography. I recommend that you subdivide the proposal into sections that will mirror the subsections in your thesis. Completing this version of the proposal does not qualify as completion of the proposal milestone in your program. The latter is for approval by your supervisor (and committee member). Nevertheless, you are encouraged to consult with your supervisor and committee through out the term as you construct the proposal.
Evaluation: (updated March 26, 2012)see coments from faculty about what constitues an A+ proposal below
Description: Each student will have at least 10 minutes to present their proposal with 5 minutes for questions from the audience. The entire department will be invited to attend these sessions.
Evaluation: (updated March 26, 2012)Description: Students are expected to contribute to discussion in every class. Much of the participation grade will be linked to your commentary on the readings. Each week you should come prepared with a list of questions for the group - some of these can be to clarify points, but the majority should be questions to stimulate critical discussion. Participation will be evaluated on the basis of the frequency of your participation, the extent to which you demonstrate an understanding of the material, the quality of critical commentary, and the quality of the questions that you ask of the group and during the presentations. In addition to being able to summarize the key themes of the readings, be prepared to provide critical commentary.
