Course:GEOG350
| Guidelines | Create Your Book Chapter | Book Sections and Themes | Help and Resources |
| GEOG350 Urban Worlds Open Textbook Project | |
|---|---|
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| Course Info | |
| Instructor: | Dr. Siobhán Wittig McPhee |
| Book Index | |
| Help and Resources | |
Welcome to the project space for the GEOG 350 Urban Worlds Open Textbook
This project offers a unique opportunity to shape our understanding of Vancouver's dynamic urban landscape. You will contribute directly to the creation of an open-access urban geography textbook focused exclusively on our city. Select a compelling topic related to Vancouver from the topics covered in the course, and connected to our weekly guest speakers. Through in-depth research, data analysis, and the exploration of a local case study, you will craft a scholarly textbook entry. Your work will provide future students, researchers, and interested citizens with insights into the complex and evolving nature of Vancouver.
Points to consider
- Local Data Emphasis: I encourage the use of open-source data from City of Vancouver websites, Metro Vancouver data portals, or Statistics Canada for analysis and visualizations.
- Vancouver-Centric Case Studies: Each entry must ground its discussion in a specific Vancouver case study, neighborhood, or urban development project.
- Contemporary Issues: Please highlight current debates, planning controversies, or emergent trends affecting Vancouver's urban landscape.
- Critical Thinking: I expect advanced analysis that goes beyond mere description, challenging you to consider the political, economic, and social forces shaping the city.
- Comparative Perspective: Situate Vancouver's experiences within broader trends affecting other Canadian cities or cities globally.
- Advanced Writing: I expect a level of writing and style, with precise terminology and compelling argumentation, suitable for a third-year audience.
Details of the assignments
| Category | Group | Solo |
| Aim | Contributing to open access textbook as outlined above | Contributing to open access textbook as outlined above |
| Tasks | Complete the peer evaluation table of group members (template on Canvas) and then answer the questions under the table. Answers to questions must be 500-words. | A short (500-word) essay reflecting on the challenges and benefits of conducting independent research compared to potential collaborative experiences. Questions to consider:
· How did your research process differ without group input? · Did you discover any personal strengths or weaknesses through solo work? · If you could re-do the project in a group, what might you contribute or gain differently? |
| Depth of Analysis/Research | Requires in-depth exploration with stronger emphasis on critical analysis | Emphasis on collaboration, with broader scope of research and analysis |
| Word Count | 3500 words | 3500 words |
Rubric for the assignments
| Criteria | Exemplary | Proficient | Developing | Needs Improvement |
| Understanding of Topic (15%) | Demonstrates a deep, nuanced understanding of the chosen topic, going beyond basic facts and incorporating recent scholarly debates. | Shows solid grasp of the topic, connecting to course concepts and Vancouver-specific context. | Displays some understanding of the topic, but focuses on surface-level description or lacks specificity. | Demonstrates limited understanding of the topic, with significant gaps in knowledge or misinterpretation of concepts. |
| Research & Data (25%) | Incorporates diverse and rigorous sources (academic, government reports, data sets), demonstrating a comprehensive research process. Effectively integrates local data with insightful analysis. | Uses credible sources and relevant data, showing effort to go beyond basic web searches. Includes some local data but analysis could be deeper. | Relies on limited or less credible sources. Includes Vancouver data but usage is superficial or lacks clear connection to the thesis. | Uses minimal research or data that lacks relevance or credibility. |
| Case Study Application (20%) | Skillfully weaves in a detailed and illuminating Vancouver-based case study, fully illustrating the complexity of the topic. | Includes a relevant Vancouver case study that supports the main arguments made. | Includes a Vancouver case study but connection to broader topic is unclear or analysis remains simplistic. | Mentions a Vancouver case study in passing but does not develop it meaningfully. |
| Critical Analysis (25%) | Provides insightful analysis that applies relevant urban theories, evaluates policies/projects, and critiques power dynamics. | Demonstrates thoughtful analysis with some application of theory and consideration of underlying structures. | Offers analysis that is primarily descriptive or lacks sufficient connection to urban theories. | Provides minimal analysis or relies on unsubstantiated opinions. |
| Comparative Perspective (5%) | Situates Vancouver's experience within national or global trends, showing an expansive understanding of urban processes. | Attempts to draw comparisons to other cities, though the analysis could be more nuanced. | Shows minimal or no attempt to offer a comparative analysis. | - |
| Writing & Organization (10%) | Eloquently written with clear structure, engaging prose, and error-free mechanics. Demonstrates a sophisticated writing style. | Well-written with logical organization and few grammatical errors. | Writing is comprehensible but lacks clarity or has noticeable errors. Structure is somewhat unclear. | Writing is difficult to follow, with numerous errors or disjointed structure. |