Geography 109-01
Geographical Research and Writing
Fall 1998

Instructor Information

Instructor: Dr. C.M. Rodrigue; Butte Hall 539; 898-4953 or -5285

Instructor's Email Address: lapaloma@ecst.csuchico.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-11 a.mm; Wednesday 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Course Description:

Examination and evaluation of library research materials pertinent to geography. Practice in analysis and writing of geographical reports. Successful completion required for all Geography and Planning majors before enrolling in WP course to meet writing requirement.

Formerly GEOG 109A.

Course Objectives:

to prepare you to make sophisticated use of the library for geographical and planning research
to familiarize you with the major journals in geography and planning and the current trends in the disciplines
to familiarize you with the Internet as a research tool
to sharpen your writing skills
to develop your editorial skills
to heighten your ability to do critical and analytical reading
to develop your collaborative work skills
to initiate a Web-based portfolio of your best geographic work
to improve your presentation skills

Required Course Materials:

None: the library will be the "textbook" (a budget break!)

Recommended Course Materials:

Marino, The College Student's Resumé Guide
Johnson, The Handbook of Good English

Course Requirements:

attend all scheduled class meetings
examine and make notes about all geography and planning sources assigned
produce all library research papers and other assignments in a timely manner
make a brief class presentation
take final examination

Grading:

Grading is on a modified curve. Normally, about 40-50 percent of the class receive the "C" grade, with up to another 10 percent earning the "A" and the "F" grades. The course GPA, then, averages about 2.00. If the class is particularly good (or ... bad), I will adjust the grade distribution accordingly, so that the collective GPA is higher (or ... lower). I generally do not use the +/- grading system, except, rarely, in the "C" range.

Grading is based on the following 1000 points:

________________________________________________________________________________

                                                             DUE DATES 

attendance ......................................   100
current trends in the top journals in
     a geography or planning subfield ...........    75  ... T, 09/15
current trends in a subject in that subfield, 
     which you find particularly interesting .... * 200  ... T, 10/06
senior thesis proposal .......................... *  75  ... T, 10/27
your editorial work .............................   100  ... T, 10/13, T, 11/03
your future resume ..............................    50  ... T, 11/10
web page suitable for a professional                         
     portfolio of your work .....................    75  ... T, 11/17
examination of geographical materials ...........   200  ... Th, 11/19
brief presentation on your proposal .............    75  ... 12/1-12/10
final examination ...............................    50  ... Th, 12/17: 10-12

* =  assignments students will be editing for one another

Attendance:

Attendance at every scheduled class is required. You will start with 100 points and will lose 10 of them each time you miss class. If your absence is excused for some compelling reason, you will lose only 5 points. If you lose more than 50 points on attendance, you will be failed, no matter how well you're doing on your assignments.

It is important that you participate in class: Do the research and be able to discuss the assignments. If it becomes apparent that only your body is attending class, I may deduct points from your attendance score.

About Editing:

It's not you! Research and writing in geography, planning, or anything else do not come easily to most people, even advanced professionals. Most people have problems with grammar, spelling, syntax, or the basic organization of their ideas, which they typically miss on proofreading their own work. Because of this basic human frailty, even the most professional writers rely on others for help in picking out errors and improving their communications. Writing, then, is not just writing: it is almost invariably RE-writing.

You will be asked to "savage" the work of a small number of your peers: Two of the assignments are to be critiqued by other students before the Majestic Final Draft is given to me. For these assignments, you will be turning in your rough drafts, your peers' signed comments, the name of the person you considered most helpful to you in your revision work, and the final draft. Your performance as an editor will be evaluated by me at that time. Tender-heartedness at this task is not really kindness to yourself or your colleagues: It can hurt you as well as denying your peers of a valuable critic. It is hoped that, in your misery, you will form casual networks of trustworthy, objective critics (circles of vultures?) to whom you can turn for editorial assistance in the rest of your career here.

Geography 109-01
Geographical Research and Writing
Fall 1998

Instructor Information

Course Description:

Course Objectives:

Required Course Materials:

Recommended Course Materials:

Course Requirements:

Grading:

Attendance:

About Editing:

GEOP Home | GEOP Faculty/Staff | GEOP Syllabi

CHICO HOME | SEARCH | E-MAIL | CATALOG | SCHEDULE | LIBRARY | HELP

This document is maintained by Dr. Rodrigue
Last Updated: 07/29/98

Geography 109-01 Geographical Research and Writing Fall 1998

Instructor Information

Course Description:

Course Objectives:

Required Course Materials:

Recommended Course Materials:

Course Requirements:

Grading:

Attendance:

About Editing:

GEOP Home | GEOP Faculty/Staff | GEOP Syllabi

CHICO HOME | SEARCH | E-MAIL | CATALOG | SCHEDULE | LIBRARY | HELP

This document is maintained by Dr. Rodrigue Last Updated: 07/29/98

Geography 109-01
Geographical Research and Writing
Fall 1998

This document is maintained by Dr. Rodrigue
Last Updated: 07/29/98