121-403 Geography Coursework

In this subject research modules are offered in intensive mode over summer. Students should consult Dr Ray Wyatt, the modules coordinator, for details by November in the year prior to enrolment.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in geography.

The subject comprises three components: a course of lectures and seminars, held throughout the year, which addresses a range of issues related to contemporary research in geography and to the historical and philosophical evolution of the discipline; preparation of an extended review of the literature related to the subject matter of the student's individual thesis, covering both specific research in this area, and also the broader context within which the review is situated; research methodology lectures and practical exercises covering three methodology areas chosen from the following possible list: Geographical Information Systems; SPSS; Writing Skills for Thesis Students; Library Skills; Questionnaire Design; Survey Analysis; Managing Your Thesis; Ethics in Research; Researching Culture; Using Computers in Research; Research Design; Evaluation Research; Observation Methods; Introduction to Statistics; Painting as an Entry to History; Researching Vulnerable Groups; Storytelling and Narrative Analysis; History and the New Critical Theory; Geocomputing; The Sociological Intervention; Planning a Fourth-Year Research Project; Field Methods; and Research for Professional Practice.

• be capable of thinking critically (for example, about geography and its measures);

• be capable of obtaining information to evaluate propositions (about the principles of geography);

• be capable of writing coherent and researched essays;

• be capable of using different research skills;

• be capable of writing coherent and researched projects.

A total of 20 000 words comprising a research proposal of 2000 words, a literature review of 6000 words 35%, practical exercises on research methods for three elective modules totalling 6000 words 30%, an essay and short seminar papers totalling 4000 words 25% and two oral presentations totalling 40 minutes on research proposal and research results of 2000 words 10%.