On the completion of this course, students will be able to:

1)    understand theory and practice of key concepts in geography, environmental and population studies;

2)    critically evaluate contemporary debates around the key concepts;

3)    discuss the history, usefulness and effectiveness of key geography concepts;

4)    demonstrate high level critical analysis and thinking skills;

5)    apply high quality written and verbal communications skills;

6)    work effectively in a seminar situation;

7)    show highly developed, and computer-based, research skills; and

8)    understand own individual impact on theory and practice around key concepts and global issues.

There is no required textbook for the course. All readings will be suggested by GEP staff and provided online.

Teaching and learning in the Honours coursework takes place in workshop type seminars. The small group of students learns the subject material through recurring meetings which are led by a student who co-ordinates with the relevant staff member. The seminars provide the opportunity to discuss readings and subject matter.

The times suggested here are guidelines for students to achieve the course requirements and to successfully complete the course. You will need to allocate appropriate time for your study (contact and non-contact time):

1 x 2 hour seminar per week ............................................................ 2 hours

6 hours research per week ............................................................... 6 hours

6 hours mandated reading per week .................................................. 6 hours

10 hours writing work (drafts, editing, re-writing) per week ................. 10 hours

 
Sub-total per week .........................................................................24 hours

NOTE: The seminars are on Tuesday from 9.10–11.00am, Room 142, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus. There are also a few seminars in Semester 2.

Schedule

Week 1 (27 Feb)	Introduction to the Honours program	A/Prof. Yan Tan
Week 2 (6 Mar)	Topic: The affordability and accessibility of housing in Australia	Prof. Chris Leishman
Week 3 (13 Mar)	Library sessions:  1)  Database searches; 2)   Endnote training	Ms. Helen Attar (Research Librarian)
Week 4 (20 Mar)	Risk society	Dr. Douglas Bardsley
Week 5 (27 Mar)	Research design and planning	A/Prof. Yan Tan
Week 6 (17 Apr)	Permaculture and ecovillage movements	Dr. Jungho Suh
Week 7 (24 Apr)	Relevance: Human Geography, public policy and public geographies	Dr. Debbie Faulkner
Week 8 (1 May)	Mobility and the Politics of Public Space	Dr Jennifer Bonham
Week 9 (8 May)	Global population ageing: issues of place, space and health	Dr Helen Barrie
Week 10 (15 May)	Presentation of Research Proposal	Supervisors & GEP staff
Week 11 ( 22 May)	End of semester review	A/Prof. Yan Tan

Rationale for assessment:  the pieces of assessment are designed as important ‘training ground’ for the larger Honours thesis, and to provide Honours students with important skills (eg presentation skills; critical thinking and analysis) for the workforce or future research. These assignments are intended to provide students with the academic skills and experience to successfully complete their major Honours thesis.

Assessment Task	Due	Weighting
Research Essay: key concepts or theoretical framework (6,000 words)	14 May	70%
Research Proposal: Oral presentation: 15 minutes, 5 minutes Q & A.	21 May	20%
Seminar participation	N/A	10%

1. Research Essay:  6,000 words, 70%    
   

The research essay provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate and develop your research, and analytical and critical thinking skills early in the Honours year in order to ‘warm up’ for your thesis work. The topic of the essay is intentionally kept general as to allow for both human and physical geography essays.
 
NOTE: Students should choose a topic relevant to their thesis. Consult with your supervisor.
 
They could either

1).    Use a specific theoretical framework (e.g. political ecology, feminism) and critically examine one specific area of current geographical or environmental thought, practice or research;  or

2).   Choose one of the key concepts covered in the seminars; and critically analyse current thought, practice or research of your chosen concept,

 
2. Research Proposal: oral presentation,  20%                


The early planning stages of your research project are particularly important. The research proposal is essentially a detailed outline of the research you intend to undertake including: why the research is important; aims and objectives; scope and limitations; methodology – what information is necessary to answer your research question, the techniques you will use in obtaining that information, the steps necessary to obtain that information (from ethics clearance to identifying subjects); how you will analyse your data; and time frame. Students should write a draft of their proposal then revise it before presenting their proposal.


The performance of their presentation will be assessed in this course. They should draw feedback from their presentation before submitting their research proposal for assessment in the other course—GEOG 4002 Research Methods.

 
Presentation of Research Proposal           

Students are required to give a seminar presentation based on their Research Proposal. Attending and participating in the Research Seminars will provide you with an invaluable way of learning from other students’ research experience, getting feedback on your own project and having exposure to ways of thinking and methods other than those you will be using.

 
The presentation is for 15 minutes with 5 minutes question time. You are required to provide your PowerPoint slides (max 10 slides) to the Honours convenor the day before the seminar presentation.

 
IMPORTANT: there will also be a presentation of your preliminary findings of your thesis project in Semester 2.

 
Before you submit your FINAL thesis on Monday, 22 October (see Honours Handbook 2018) you are invited to present your
preliminary/early research findings from your own research project to the group in the usual seminar setting. This is intended to give you additional feedback on your research/thesis so that there is still time to make amends if necessary.

 
The presentation is for 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes question time. You are required to provide your PowerPoint slide (max 10 slides) to the Convenor the day before the seminar presentation.

 
3. Seminar Participation:    10%         All scheduled seminars

All Honours Candidates are expected to come prepared to the seminars and actively participate in the discussion. The structure of the seminar is premised upon a rigorous group discussion of the key themes raised by each week’s readings. The accent will be on informal, friendly but rigorous discussion.

 
NOTE: Each student is required to lead one of the sessions during the program.

 
You are expected to attend all the seminars and notify the course coordinator via email beforehand if you are unable to attend a seminar. Your seminar participation grade is based on (i) attendance, (ii) demonstrated engagement with the readings, (iii) relevant to the discussion/presentations at the seminar.        
 

SUBMISSIONAll assignments are to be submitted electronically via email or on Canvas. There will be a template available on MyUni or Canvas which includes the GEP assignment cover page.