Students are evaluated across three components: class participation, a seminar presentation, and a literature review.

• Component weighting
• Components in detail
• Final grade determination

Component weighting

Each component is assigned a certain number of points. Points are cumulative, or in other words, each counts towards your final point total. The chief advantage of this system is that you know exactly how many points you have and how many you need to achieve a given grade level, as discussed below in the final grade determination.

The key to a successful class experience is participation, which in turn relies on students reading the material, attending class meetings, completing work in a timely manner, and discussing the material and related issues. Grades for participation are therefore based on the following criteria: 1) demonstration that the student has read and understood class material; 2) discussion arguments that evidence creativity and logical structure; 3) consistent participation without monopolizing the discussion; 4) constructive and critical examination of issues couched in an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect; and 5) preparation of three written questions for each class that he or she may be called on at any time to share. Please also consult the course policies on class meetings.

Students will lead one seminar with a presentation on that day’s material and then facilitate class discussion. The students are responsible for presenting the material in a cohesive and synthetic manner. The presentation and following discussion will be evaluated according to the extent to which the team: 1) demonstrates that it has a command of all the material for that day; 2) summarizes the key issues that are raised by the readings; 3) raises important and critical questions;and 4) leads and moderates class discussion.

Students must give the presentation in software package designed for professional presentations, such as MS Power Point (PPT format) or Adobe Acrobat (PDF). Note that while students must do a formal presentation, they are also encouraged to use as appropriate secondary media or activities such as hand outs, web pages, software demonstrations, or role-playing exercises. Presentations also entail the presenters answering questions from their audience. For help in preparing your presentation, consult the GIS Resources site on presentations.

Assignments

• Sept 5: Course description [Manson]
• Sept 12: Spatial analysis [Manson]
• Sept 19: Research process [Manson/Jensen]
• Sept 26: Modeling debates [Hansen, Miller]
• Oct 3: Spatial statistics [Bonsal, Xiong]
• Oct 10: SDSS/MCE [Alden, Horning]
• Oct 17: Error/Uncertainty/Surprise [Goerger, Lind]
• Oct 31: Visualization [Kne]
• Nov 7: Simulation/Process models [Franck, Sward]
• Nov 14: Time/Change [Huang, Olmanson]
• Nov 28: Geocomputation [Bryson, Munoz]
  

Each student will write a literature review that stems from class material but focuses by and large on additional material gathered for the review. This work is often related to graduate proposals, a MA or MGIS Plan B paper, a reading list for preliminary examinations, or the basis for a comprehensive doctoral paper. In fact, work related to graduate work is strongly encouraged as long as it is not being submitted for credit in another course.

Be sure to consult the GIS Resources guides to writing a research paper and writing a literature review. Also consult the other resources on writing and research. See below for a grading rubric that should guide students in producing the literature review.

If you want to do a project that is similar to one that you are doing for another course, speak with the instructor of both courses to make suitable arrangements (also read the course policies on scholastic dishonesty).

Deliverables:

1. Draft literature review that defines and elaborates somewhat on the subject area for review. The draft should contain at least twenty references outside of class readings. At the very least, the draft must be a 'thin' version where you cover the breadth, but not depth, of the final review. You are encouraged to go beyond this minimum, however, and submit a draft that has both breadth and depth. The draft must at least 1500 words excluding abstract, graphics, bibliography; due Oct 26, 430p, submit electronically.
2. Final literature review. The review should have 40-70 references and be well in line with the guide on writing a literature review. Formatting for the final review must follow the guidelines for writing a research report. The final report must be between 5000 and 8000 words excluding abstract, graphics, bibliography, and appendices; due Dec 14, 430p, submit electronically).