Students
GEOP7001 – Approaches in Geography and Planning
2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Emily O'Gorman
Contact via Contact via email
Room B452, Level 4, 25B Wally's Walk
Email for appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit has an online offering for S2 which is synchronous, meaning there will be set times to attend online lectures and tutorials. The way researchers approach a topic is significantly influenced by the methods and methodologies they select. This unit is designed to provide an introduction to key methods and methodologies that have shaped geography and planning and their broader historiographies, with a focus on how these relate to contemporary research in these fields. Students will engage with a range of methods and methodologies in geography, planning, and related fields such as development studies and environmental humanities. The unit is flexible and responsive to the interests and strengths of students enrolled in any given semester. It is designed to give students a grounding in key methods that inform research. It will introduce students to a number of current open methodological questions across the range of these broad fields. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate knowledge of key research methodologies in geography and planning.
- ULO2: Evaluate the links between theoretical approaches and research methods in geography and planning.
- ULO3: Identify appropriate and ethical methods for your own individual research.
- ULO4: Use literacy and digital skills to communicate effectively using appropriate methods of communication.
General Assessment Information
General Assessment Information
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All written assessments are to be submitted via Turnitin, the university online submission and marking system - found as a link in iLearn. Turnitin includes Grademark, a paperless grading system where your written assessments are marked by staff online. Submissions are also checked for plagiarism by Turnitin. Turnitin automatically compares your work to the work of your classmates, previous students and material available on the internet. Hard copies of assignments are no longer accepted and will not be marked.
For more information on Turnitin and Grademark: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/assignments.htm
DEADLINES, EXTENSIONS AND PENALTIES
Deadlines set for assessment submissions will not be altered except in exceptional circumstances. In all cases, extensions must be supported with appropriate documentation (medical certificate, counsellor's certificate, statutory declaration). All extensions must be applied for and granted through the special consideration process. See the Special Consideration Policy https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
Extensions will not be granted in cases of poor time management. Only the Unit Convenor can authorise extensions.
Unless a Disruption to Studies request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Students who fail to complete and submit ALL assessments for the unit may not receive enough marks to pass the unit. Penalties will also be incurred for plagiarism, that is, the use of another persons’ work and presentation as your own (see University Policies and http://www.mq.edu.au/ policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html).
GRADING
Each assessment will be marked, commented upon and returned to you via Turnitin and Grademark. Grading is conducted in line with the universities grading policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html)
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective brief | 25% | No | 17.00 27/08/21 |
| Essay proposal | 15% | No | 17.00 10/09/21 |
| Essay | 60% | No | 17.00 05/11/21 |
Reflective brief
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 17.00 27/08/21
Weighting: 25%
Students write a 1,000-word reflective brief. In the brief they describe some of the critical experiences that have shaped their view of the world and have informed their philosophical or theoretical approaches towards research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key research methodologies in geography and planning.
- Evaluate the links between theoretical approaches and research methods in geography and planning.
- Identify appropriate and ethical methods for your own individual research.
- Use literacy and digital skills to communicate effectively using appropriate methods of communication.
Essay proposal
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 17.00 10/09/21
Weighting: 15%
Students write a 1,000-word essay proposal in which they describe the topic of their proposed essay and the key issues that the essay intends to explore. The proposal forms the foundation of the major essay task in this unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key research methodologies in geography and planning.
- Evaluate the links between theoretical approaches and research methods in geography and planning.
- Identify appropriate and ethical methods for your own individual research.
- Use literacy and digital skills to communicate effectively using appropriate methods of communication.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 80 hours
Due: 17.00 05/11/21
Weighting: 60%
Students write a 3,000-word essay that examines a chosen theoretical or philosophical approach to geography and planning and related research methods.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key research methodologies in geography and planning.
- Evaluate the links between theoretical approaches and research methods in geography and planning.
- Identify appropriate and ethical methods for your own individual research.
- Use literacy and digital skills to communicate effectively using appropriate methods of communication.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Technology
This unit has a website which is accessible via www.mq.edu.au/iLearn. Here you can get access to unit materials including recording of lectures, copies of lecture slides, notices and a general discussion place to pose questions to staff.
Students are not required to acquire any specific technology for this unit but are expected to access the iLearn site and to use computers to produce their assignments.
Seminars
This unit will run as five discussion-based seminars across the session. Students are expected to participate in all seminars to fully engage with the unit. Seminars will be run in a hybrid mode, with online students attending via synchronous Zoom and special circumstances students attending on campus.
Unit Schedule
Subject to change
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Week |
Topic |
Milestones |
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Week 1 (27/07/21) |
Introduction: Postionality, Methods, and Methodology |
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Week 4 (17/08/20) |
Interviews and Focus Groups + Cross-cultural Research |
Reflective Brief due 5pm, Friday 27 Aug 2021 |
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Week 7 (07/09/21) |
Photo-response + Subjectivity |
Essay Plan due 5pm, Friday 10 September 2021 |
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Recess (12/09/21 - 26/09/21) |
No classes |
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Week 9 (05/10/21) |
Digital Research + Feminist Approaches |
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Week 12 (26/10/21) |
More-than-human Methods and Methodology + Indigenous Approaches |
Essay due 5pm, Friday 5 November 2021 |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook