Objective: Throughout a critical analysis, students are expected to demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of one aspect of the geography of Canada and/or its regions. Students are also required to show an active engagement with the subject and be able to formulate an original perspective on it.
Evaluation: The essay requires the student to carry out an analysis of the subject, and make and justify an evaluative, comparative or explicatory judgement. The essay will be evaluated based on clarity of organization, logic, syntax, and grammar of student writing. Make sure your discussion involves a focused analysis rather than a superficial overview.
Follow an essay format and make sure your paper includes an introduction (clearly indicating topic, thesis statement, and how you plan to structure your paper), a proper body, and a conclusion (reviewing and summarizing the arguments and evidence presented in the body)
When you quote or paraphrase other scholars, you MUST provide in-text references and a full list of work cited at the end
You are required to use at least 6 peer-reviewed journals articles (books chapters, commentaries, book reviews etc. will not be accepted as part of the required 6 sources). You can use additional peer- and non-peer-review material if you so choose.
Grammar and Style:
Before submitting your work, please make sure that you have conducted a spell and grammar check in word, and strictly followed the page limits. In order to write a good assignment, it is not enough to follow the instruction and have thoughtful arguments, you also need to present the material in a clear and organized fashion.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of Peer-Reviewed Journals where students will be able to find articles focusing on urban space:
Urban Studies
Canadian Journal of Urban Research
Environment and Planning A
Environment and Planning C
Geography Review
The Canadian Geographer
Canadian Journal of Regional Science
Annals, Association of American Geographers
Geojournal
Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services
Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Journal of Urban Affairs
Housing Studies
International Journal of Urban and Regional Research
Submissions must be made on D2L by the end of the day indicated in the course outline. No hard copy is required.
While writing your assignments, keep in mind the following:
a) Follow MLA, APA or Chicago style;
b) Make sure your argument unfolds in a logical, coherent fashion, and that the discussion emphasizes analysis over description, remains focused, and avoids irrelevancies and repetitions;
c) Quotations must be introduced, contextualized, and explained adequately;
d) Your goal should be to write an essay that is well structured and a pleasure to read; avoid one-sentence or one-page paragraphs;
e) Very important: make sure all sentences are complete; discussion uses formal language (no jargon or slang); no contractions or abbreviations; paper has been proofread and avoids typos, errors and punctuation problems; title page is included; pages are numbered.
