Students

GEOP1030 – Sydney and the Great Australian Dream

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Andrew Burridge
andrew.burridge@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Mapping is a critical method applied by geographers. While often presented as unbiased, critical geographers have demonstrated the means by which mapping can be employed as a tool of power. In response, methods of counter-mapping and other experimental practices provide alternative understandings of space, expose power and progress socio-spatial justice while new technologies allow participation by 'nonexperts'. In both a historical and contemporary context, this unit asks how can we define and understand Sydney through a critical geographical lens, and whether the archetypal 'Australian dream' still exists? The unit will focus upon methods of counter-mapping Sydney and other cities, and explores what a critical geographical mapping to develop a 'People's Guide to Sydney' might comprise.

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 an understanding of the contested representations of the 'Australian dream' and its relevance to Sydney.
  • ULO2: Critically examine the history of mapping, and its use by geographers to explore and visualise contemporary urban problems.
  • ULO3: Identify and discuss the diverse political motivations, methods and implications of mapping and counter-mapping.
  • ULO4: Analyse the potential of counter-mapping to reveal different lenses through which to understand and define cities.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty  

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.    

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
The lies and power of mapping 30% No 23:55 11/09/2023
Countermapping essay 40% No 23:55 09/10/2023
A People's Guide to Sydney 30% No 23:55 03/11/2023

The lies and power of mapping

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20.00 hours
Due: 23:55 11/09/2023
Weighting: 30%

 

A 1000 word review comprised of weekly readings to explore the lies and power of mapping.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically examine the history of mapping, and its use by geographers to explore and visualise contemporary urban problems.
  • Identify and discuss the diverse political motivations, methods and implications of mapping and counter-mapping.

Countermapping essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 23:55 09/10/2023
Weighting: 40%

1500 word essay discussing and critiquing different approaches to mapping and countermapping and their wider implications
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and discuss the diverse political motivations, methods and implications of mapping and counter-mapping.
  • Analyse the potential of counter-mapping to reveal different lenses through which to understand and define cities.

A People's Guide to Sydney

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:55 03/11/2023
Weighting: 30%

Group and individual work to and map/counter-map and produce a People’s Guide to Sydney’. Students will produce an individual output in the form of an annotated map of Sydney based on a specific lens of analysis and present as a group on their lens and approach to (counter)mapping.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the contested representations of the 'Australian dream' and its relevance to Sydney.
  • Critically examine the history of mapping, and its use by geographers to explore and visualise contemporary urban problems.
  • Identify and discuss the diverse political motivations, methods and implications of mapping and counter-mapping.
  • Analyse the potential of counter-mapping to reveal different lenses through which to understand and define cities.

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

Learning and teaching activities comprise a mix of recorded lectures, tutorials and discussion activities. Please see iLearn for further details

Recommended Texts and/or Materials

There is no set textbook for this unit; however, independent reading and tutorial discussions are integral to GEOP1030 and a full reading list will be made available on iLearn, with readings accessible via Leganto. Students are expected to complete the required weekly set readings before each tutorial.

Unit webpage and Technology used and required

All enrolled students have access to the unit website at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/ . Access to the website is essential to complete GEOP1030.

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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 2023.02 of the Handbook