Where can I find out more detailed information about assignments?

Please consult the folder in the GEOP3090 iLearn page labeled 'Assessment'.  Here you will find more detailed instructions for each assessment item, marking criteria and rubrics.  This is the first time GEOP3090 is offered, so unfortunately there are no sample assignments for the unit.  The assessment folder does contain links to useful resources and guides.  You are encouraged to post questions about assignments in the General Discussion Forum on the main iLearn page.

Group assignments

The 'Thinking Space Media Project' is a group based assessment that you will undertake throughout the semester.  Two workshops and three tutorials are dedicated to this task so that your group has an opportunity to work together during class time.  Please note that 25% of the mark for the 'Thinking Space Media Project' is individually assessed.   The individual component of the task requires you to keep a 'Media Project Research and Activity Log'.  This is a separate item from the Reflective Reading Log (see below) and it is where you will record your research notes, ideas and keep a time sheet of your contribution to the group project.  You will hand in your 'Media Project Research and Activity Log' to Turnitin in Week 13.   The group media projects will be presented and marked in class in Week 13. 

Reflective Reading Log

From Week 1, you are required to keep a 'Reflective Reading Log'. It will include a summary and critique of key theories (or arguments) identified in the readings and a reflection on how the reading contributes to your own theoretical development. Please note that in some weeks, there are also shorter media and blog pieces included in the readings.  While it is okay to draw the blogs and media articles into to your reflections, please make sure that you use  1 of the 2 scholarly articles and book chapters assigned to each week for your entry. Please keep your summaries and reflections insightful and to-the-point (aim for no more than 350 words per entry).

Handing in your assignments

Unless otherwise specified, you are required to submit your assignments by the time and date specified via the Turnitin link provided in iLearn.  Please keep an electronic copy of your assignment and a record of your submission for reference. If you are having trouble submitting your assessment to Turnitin, please contact Donna immediately.

Late assignments

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

GEOP3090 Thinking Space is an advanced introduction to geographical and planning theory which is offered internally and which will be conducted in an Active Learning classroom.  The unit is structured as a 3-hour seminar that includes a mixture of lectures, guest lectures, workshops and tutorials where you will learn about different theoretical approaches and their application to real world problems that are of significance to professional planners and geographers. It is expected that you will attend the 3-hour seminars and come prepared to participate in class. There will be allocated time in class for working on group tasks.  While the lectures will be recorded and made available in iLearn, the workshops and tutorials which will include a mixture of skills-based activities, discussions, debates and feedback on assignments will not be recorded.  

The Seminar schedule is located on the GEOP3090 Thinking Space iLearn page under the 'Unit Information' section.  Please also scroll down the iLearn main page where each week there is an overview of the weekly theme, workshops and tutorials.

Unit readings can be accessed via Leganto.  The Leganto link is located in the top right panel of the GEOP3090 iLearn main page.  Please contact Donna if you are having trouble accessing the readings as they are essential to your assignments and to the class discussions.

Schedule at a glance

Mondays 9:00am-12pm, 21 Wally's Walk, 2.300 Active Learning Space

Week 1:     Thinking Space: An Introduction

Week 2:     Paradigm 1, Authority and Rationalism

Week 3:     Paradigm 2, Knowledge and Power

Week 4:     Paradigm 3, From the Margins

Week 5:     Intersections 1, Place

Week 6:     Intersections 2, Community

Week 7:     Intersections 3, Commons

Week 8:     No classes, Self-guided group fieldwork

Week 9:     Applications 1, Place-making (Fire)

Week 10:   Applications 2, Place-making (Biodiversity)

Week 11:   Applications 3, Place-making (Heat)

Week 12:   Applications 4, Planning in a Post-political World

Week 13:   'Thinking Space Media Projects' Presentations

GEOP3090 Thinking Space is a new unit being offered for the first time in 2020.