Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 194)
Geography subject : Prev:121-496 | Search | Help
Note: Must be taken concurrently with 121-496 Geography Research Project (50 points).
Credit points: 100.0 in total
Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Brian Finlayson
Prerequisite: Geography 121-101 or 121-171 and 121-172, 33.3 points of 200-level subjects in Geography, 50 points of 300-level subjects in Geography, which must include Geography 121-342.
Objectives:
On completion of 121-411 Geography Honours students should:
- have an understanding of the nature of science (including geography);
- have an understanding of major conceptual debates in contemporary human and physical geography, and their implications for research methodology;
- be aware of selected philosophical traditions in the discipline, and their theoretical and empirical manifestation in contemporary research in geography;
- be familiar with the techniques and concepts involved in the preparation of a review of the literature relating to particular research topics in geography;
- be able to select a research question and to design a program using the most appropriate techniques to gather the information on which an answer to the question can be developed;
- be able to analyse data and reach sensible conclusions;
- be capable of presenting these results in written and oral form so that they are comprehensible to persons who are not experts in the field.
Content:
Subject 121-497 comprises:
- Literature review: A critical assessment of the literature of a research area in Geography. The area is chosen by the student, supervisor and the head of the department. Work on the literature review involves regular meetings with the supervisor. The literature review is to be submitted by the beginning of May.
- Advanced seminars: A course of lectures and seminars on the philosophy and scope of geography. Geography as a science; philosophical issues in geographic research. Attendance at departmental research seminars and presentation in the second semester of a short seminar on the results of the candidate's research. Lectures and directed reading.
- Advanced coursework elective: Students must choose one advanced coursework elective from several courses of advanced lectures, seminars, directed reading and directed research offered by the department at fourth year level, or from equivalent level subjects elsewhere as agreed to by the Honours coordinator.
Assessment:
Hurdle requirements
- Attendance at departmental research seminars and presentation in the second semester of a short seminar on the results of the candidate's research.
- Regular meetings with the supervisor to discuss work on the literature review.
Assessed Items
- A literature review of up to 6,000 words (16.7 per cent of the total mark for Honours as a whole)
- Written work and/or examinations equivalent to 6,000 words for the advanced coursework elective (16.7 per cent of the total mark for Honours as a whole)
- Essays and seminar papers totalling 6,000 words for the course of lectures and seminars on the philosophy and scope of geography (16.7 per cent of the total mark for Honours as a whole).
Geography subject : Prev:121-496 | Search | Help
Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 194)
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Dept. of Geography, Faculty of Arts.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.