Geog 620:
Theory and Practice of Geography

Fall 2000 -- University of Oregon
Prof. Pat McDowell


Syllabus | Course Description | Books & Journals | Geog 609Term Paper Assignment  
P. McDowell home page | Dept. of Geography | Geog 621


Week 5 Schedule and Assignments


Monday, Oct. 23  --   Doing Geographic Research: Case Studies in Human Geography

Assignment for 10/23:   Everyone will read both articles.  A copy of each will be available in the readings box in Condon 108, or go to the journals in Knight Library.   

Hanson, S., and Pratt, G., 1991.  Job search and the occupational segregation of women.  Annals of the Association of American Geographers 81: 229-253.  

Schroeder, Richard. 1997. "Re-claiming" land in The Gambia: gendered property rights and environmental intervention. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 87 (3):487-508.

Class meeting:  As you read each article, be prepared to discuss the following questions. What are the research question(s), the research problem or significance, and the research methods, in each article?   How are these different or similar between the two articles?  Is the conclusion or argument presented in the article convincing, and why?  Are there any weaknesses in the article?    What body of theory does this article relate to, and how is the article related to it?  
Peter Walker and Lise Nelson will lead this class session.   


Wednesday, Oct. 25  --   Writing Workshop
Assignment for 10/25:  Round 2 Research Questions:  Based on comments received on your first round research questions, select two of your topics and develop them further.  (If you don't have two good topics left, it's OK to develop a new one.)  For each of these two topics, write a one-page statement that addresses the following issues:  1 to 3 related research questions on the topic; the problem, motivation and/or significance; the information sources and/or methods you will use to answer the questions;  and if relevant, characteristics of the study area you will be seeking.  Include 3 to 5 significant references for the problem, to indicate that your problem is connected to the literature and place it in context.  Bring 4 to 5 copies of your two statements to class with you.   Susan Hardwick will lead this session.  

Class meeting:  We will break into small groups of 3 to 4 persons.  Each group will read and critique one research topic from each group member.  (You can go on to discuss more questions if time allows.)  During the discussions, each group will compile a list of the 2 to 4 major issues or weaknesses (generic weaknesses that are common to more than one person's questions) identified in their discussion.  At the end of the session we will reconvene to look at these small group summaries (written on the boards).  

Assignment for 10/30:  Round 2B Research Questions and Term Paper Title
Based on the small group input, revise your two one-page statements, and turn them in to Pat on 10/30.  At the same time, turn in your intended title for your term paper.  


Syllabus | Course Description | Books & Journals | Geog 609Term Paper Assignment  
P. McDowell home page | Dept. of Geography | Geog 621

last update:  03/05/01 03:50 PM
Department of Geography, University of Oregon, Eugene OR, 97403-1251