Course Syllabus

Contact Information

This table includes information about how to contact your instructor and other important details about your class

	Office Hours: 5:00-6:00 M, or by appointment   Phone: 405-325-5325 Email: bhoagland@ou.edu Live Session: Tuesdays 6:00pm-7:00pm (Central) Zoom link: https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/93099338836?pwd=Q05McHk2aHIxUUEvRXZtdG1rM0daQT09 Meeting ID: 93099338836 Password: 95227107
Bruce Hoagland Associate Chair & Professor Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability

 

Contact Information

This table includes information about how to contact your instructor and other important details about your class
	Office Hours: 5:00-6:00 M, or by appointment   Phone: 405-325-5325 Email: bhoagland@ou.edu Live Session: Tuesdays 6:00pm-7:00pm (Central) Zoom link: https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/93099338836?pwd=Q05McHk2aHIxUUEvRXZtdG1rM0daQT09 Meeting ID: 93099338836 Password: 95227107
Bruce Hoagland Associate Chair & Professor Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Course Details

The goals of this course are twofold:

1. Increase your knowledge of the breadth and traditions of the discipline and
2. Discuss the graduate school experience and professional development. 

 We will approach the first goal through a series of readings and discussions. I have selected readings that will expose you to the historical development of the discipline and current trends. The discipline has tremendous breadth, and I do not purport to be a master of every subdiscipline, so I have invited individuals within and outside the department to provide insight into their area of research specialty. Together, we will consider the following: 

1. Where do my interests lay within the context of geography and/or environmental sustainability? 
2. How has the discipline evolved over the past 100+ years, and how does that history shape the approaches used today? 
3. What are the current approaches employed within my subfield? Why? 
4. How is geography and/or environmental sustainability situated within the academy, and how does that shape my future possibilities? 

Course Materials

These texts will be made available on Canvas.  

• Agnew, John and D.N. Livingstone. 2011. The SAGE Handbook of Geographical Knowledge. Sage Publications. 
• Clifford, Nicholas, S.L Halloway, S. P. Rice, and G. Valentine. 2009. Key Concepts in Geography, 2 ed. Sage Publications.  

• Cresswell, T. 2013. Geographic Thought: A Critical Introduction. Wiley-Blackwell. 
• Lave, Rebecca, Biermann, C., and S.N. Lane. 2018. The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Physical Geography. Palgrave-MacMillan.
  
  

These are not: 

• Monmonier, M. 2018. How to Lie with Maps, Third Edition. ‎ University of Chicago Press. 

• Sobal, D. 2007. Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time. ‎ Bloomsbury USA; First edition. 

Grades

Breakdown

Course activities and grades listed for each activity
Activity	Description	Points
Class Participation	Lead and participate in weekly discussion of the readings	20%
Reflection Papers (RRPs) (2)	Write two reflection papers over whichever class readings you'd like	30%
Research Report	Formulate a research question and articulate an argument around it	50%
	Total	100%

Scale

A: 90+

B: 80-89

C: 70-79

D: 60-69

F: <60

Course Components

Class Preparation and Participation

Since this a graduate level course, you are expected to have completed all the assigned readings and to be prepared to discuss them in class. You are expected to have both synthesized the information and to form well-reasoned opinions of the readings. Simply stating that you like or dislike a reading or readings will not suffice. Neither will mocking an author’s or fellow students’ opinion. To facilitate discussion, each student will be assigned the role of discussant for the assigned readings of a particular week. As a discussant, it will be your task to not only complete the readings, but to summarize the themes and objectives of the authors, synthesize their arguments, and present conclusions and critiques in a PowerPoint presentation (approx. 20 slides) for the class. The presentation will be a summation and synthesis of salient points in the readings. You will also develop three questions based on the readings for your classmates to address. During the presentation, each of the questions must be addressed and discussed. You also reflect upon and discuss how the readings relate to your research domain and/or your personal experience as a geographer or as an environmental sustainability professional. 

1. Research Paper

Your project is considered primary research, meaning that all relevant information, data, and analyses are original and completed by you. The research topic was developed in the research methods class, and I hope it is a topic that excites your interest. A thorough and thoughtful review of the literature (which again, you completed as part of the proposal development process in the research methods course) is an important step in recognizing the boarder research context of your work and is crucial in the development of relevant research questions. You should write for an audience of professionals, not just specialists in your subfield. Try not to think of me as your audience, but rather your student peers and other professionals. The research report is due on April 28.

 

Research Paper Components 

1. The report will include an appropriate and meaningful title.
2. Format: the text will be double-spaced, paginated, all margins of one inch, left justified, and Times New Roman 12 point font. All assignments must be submitted free of typos, and errors in grammar and syntax as doc or docx files. NO PDFS! Also, I strongly recommend taking advantage of the OU Writing Center, an excellent that will advance writing skills.
3. Structure:

1. 1. The following appears above the abstract (Note: do not include a separate title page!)
      1. Report title
      2. Your name
      3. Date
      4. Course title and number
      5. Add three spaces then insert the abstract
   2. Abstract (approximately 250 words): a synthesis and summary of your project.
   3. Introduction (approx. 1,500 words): Consists of a) a concise review of the literature relevant to your research project, b) an articulation of the relevance of the research, and c) research question(s) and/or objectives. The Introduction is a crucial component of any successful research paper. It provides the reader the context and relevance of your research, how it contributes to current scholarship, hence the literature review is essential. You should cite at least 20 references.
   4. Data and Methods (800-1,000 words): Explain and justify how you will collect, analyze, and summarize the data. Remember to provide specific and precise descriptions. You should cite 3-5 references that describe and help justify your choice of the methods. Remember to describe how the selected method(s) address specific research questions.
   5. Results (500-800 words): This section summarizes the outcome of your analyses. It opens with a review of the data collected and presents related descriptive statistics, then presents the statistical analyses with reference to appropriate tables and illustrations. Do not hesitate to present negative results. Remember, this section describes project outcomes in the context of the research questions; this is not where you interpret the data or draw conclusions. 
   6. Discussion (approx. 1,000 words): Here you interpret the results of your research in the context of the current literature. You will make a critical comparison of your work to published research.
   7. Conclusion (approx. 500 words): Concisely review the relevance and major findings of your research.
   8. Literature cited (in APA format) in your document. Be certain that all citations that appear in the text are present in this section and that all references listed are cited in the text. 
   9. Acknowledgements of those that assisted in the research appear here as well.
   10. Maps, tables, and appendices are to be placed at the end of the document in this order. 
       1. Maps:
          1. One should highlight cartographic ability; it should clearly convey information.
          2. One should demonstrate that the student has performed some spatial analysis.
          3. One should illustrate some form of problem-solving.
          4. Maps, tables, and figures are to be placed at the end of the document in this order. An appendix (or appendices) are only necessary for providing ancillary data/information.

 

Reading Response Papers (RRPs)

You will write two RRPs for this course. You choose which readings. The first RRP is due February  24 and the second is due April 7.

1. A RRP consists of the following elements:

1. 1. Do you agree or disagreement with the ideas presented in the text?
   2. How does the paper relate to your own experiences?
   3. How ideas expressed relate to other works you have read?
   4. Was the author(s) effective or persuasive in their arguments?

1. Format:

1. 1. 1. RRPs are 1000 words in length.

1. 1. 1. Introduction and theme: 1-2 paragraphs that sets the stage or provides context. For example, what are the author(s) theses, hypotheses, objectives, etc.
      2. Background:  2-3 paragraphs that review the main precepts of the paper and how it relates to the broader literature. For example, what are the foundational papers cited by the author(s) that led to the development of, or support their objectives? 
      3. Analysis:  This is the core of your response. Do you support or refute the author(s) argument? Do you accept or reject the argument/paper overall or only elements? You may provide direct quotes to support your position. If the author(s) provide graphics to support their conclusions, were the graphics effective? 
      4. Conclusion: Here you discuss the significance of the paper to yourself and the subfield.

 

Additional thoughts about the assignments: all assignments will be written in 12 point Times New Roman, double spaced, no extra space between paragraphs, indent for new paragraphs, 1 inch margins, and left justified. Include a single-spaced heading that includes the assignment name, date turned in, and your name on the first line, with the title of the piece on the second, both lines aligned right. 

OU Writing Center: I am a big fan. Writing is a skill to be honed and graduate school is an excellent time to discover the craft. Appointments required. 

Comprehensive Exam

The Comprehensive Exam consists of 33 questions that are randomly generated for each student from a bank of questions. There will be a mixture of questions from each of the courses in the program. The comprehensive exam administrated during the final exam period. It is graded as pass fail, where a score of 75 or higher is passing.  The exam is designed to require no more than eight hours to complete. The exam window will open on the afternoon of April 28 and close at midnight April 30.

NOTE:  Although the comprehensive exam is administered during this course, it is INDEPENDENT of Thinking About Geography and Environmental Sustainability (GEOG-6973-999). Thus, the score comprehensive exam DOES NOT contribute to the final grade in this course.

 

Discussant Schedule

GEOG-6973-999

Spring 2023

 

Week 2 (January 24): Stone

Week 3 (January 31): Spurrier

Week4 (February 7): Ruggles

Week 5 (February 14): Morgan

Week 6 (February 21): McDonald

Week 7 (February 28): Lopez Camero

Week 8 (March 7): Larsen

Week 9 (March 14): Springbreak

Week 10 (March 21): Harris

Week 11 (March 28): Harp

Week 12 (April 4): Green

Week 13 (April 11): Giorgi

Week 14 (April 18): Brown

Week 15 (April 25): Brower

Week 16 (May 2): Blackman

 

 

 

University Academic Policies and Student Support

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalog.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Diversity Statement

The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving a diverse, equitable, and inclusive university community by embracing each person's unique contributions, background and perspective. The University of Oklahoma recognizes that fostering an inclusive environment for all, with particular attention to the needs of historically marginalized populations, is vital to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission. This enhances the OU experience for all students, faculty and staff and for the communities we engage.

Land Acknowledgement

Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. 
Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.

The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual based on the individual’s race, color, religion, political beliefs, national origin, age (40 or older), sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides. For more information, please contact the Institutional Equity Office.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Title IX Office at 405-325-2215 (8–5, M–F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide without penalty for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or their authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user's access to some or all of the university's computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.