Last updated: July 14, 2008 @ 08:35AM
Geography
Master of Arts in Geography
Dean
Thomas Dunk
Faculty of Social Sciences
Associate Dean
Dorothy Griffiths
Faculty of Social Sciences
Graduate Faculty
Professors
David Butz (Geography), Hugh Gayler (Geography), John Menzies (Earth Sciences), Keith Tinkler (Earth Sciences), Mike Ripmeester (Geography)
Associate Professors
Alun Hughes (Geography), Catherine Jean Nash (Geography), Tony Shaw (Geography), Dragos Simandan (Geography)
Assistant Professors
Jeff Boggs (Geography), Daryl Dagesse (Geography), Chris Fullerton (Geography), Marilyne Jollineau (Geography), Phillip GordonMackintosh (Geography), Ebru Ustundag (Geography)
Graduate Program Director
David Butz
dbutz@brocku.ca
Administrative Assistant
Coral MacKenzie
905-688-5550, extension 3514
MC C330
mageography@brocku.ca
http://www.brocku.ca/geography/
Program Description
The MA Program in Geography is designed to train students broadly in geographical approaches to understanding social and human-environment relations, with emphasis on how contemporary processes affect spatial relations across the range of scales from the local to the global. Course work and faculty expertise will expose students to a range of approaches to geographical analysis, including planning perspectives, a variety of critical and applied approaches in human geography, spatial data analysis, and image processing and analysis. Students will be encouraged to develop a sophisticated and rigorous understanding of geographical processes through an examination of various current theoretical perspectives and research methodologies and through exposure to diverse empirical material. The training offered by the program will prepare students who wish to pursue careers in areas where the ability to examine and analyze the spatiality of social and human/environment relations is an asset, or continue to the PhD level in Geography, Planning or a related discipline.
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent, in Geography or a closely-related discipline, with a minimum overall average of B+.
The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.
Degree Requirements
Students will consult with the Director or designated faculty liaison person when planning their programs of study. Graduate students follow either Scheme A or Scheme B.
Scheme A: Course Work and Thesis
Candidates in this scheme must successfully complete five half-credit courses, plus a thesis that demonstrates the capacity for sustained independent work and original research or thought. The thesis topic will be developed in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. A formal thesis proposal must be approved before research commences on the thesis. Students are required to complete the following half-credit courses: GEOG 5P01, one of GEOG 5P02 or GEOG 5P03, and three half-credit elective courses. Scheme A is designed to normally be completed in five terms.
Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient re-admission background.
In normal circumstances full-time students will satisfy the core course requirements by the end of the second term, and the elective course requirements will be met by the end of the fourth term. Students will prepare their thesis proposal in the second term, and commence work on the thesis after the proposal has been approved, normally during the third term.
Elective courses may be selected from: electives offered by the GEOG program, graduate courses in other programs, or a maximum of one half-credit GEOG directed studies course.
Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient pre-admission background.
Scheme B: Course Work and Major Research Paper
Candidates in this scheme must successfully complete seven half-credit courses plus a major research paper that demonstrates capacity for sustained independent work. The research topic will be developed in consultation with the Supervisor. A formal proposal must be approved before research commences on the major research paper. Students are required to complete the following half-credit courses: GEOG 5P01, one of GEOG 5P02 or GEOG 5P03, and five half-credit elective courses. Scheme B is designed to normally be completed in four terms.
Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient pre-admission background.
In normal circumstances full-time students will satisfy the core course requirements by the end of the second term, and the elective course requirements will be met by the end of the fourth term. Students will prepare their major research paper proposal in the second term, and commence work on the major research paper after the proposal has been approved, normally during the third term.
Elective courses may be selected from: electives offered by the GEOG program, graduate courses in other programs, or a maximum of one half-credit GEOG directed studies course.
Part-Time Study
Individuals interested in part-time study should consult with the Graduate Program Director. Part-time students must take GEOG 5P01 and one of GEOG 5P02 or 5P03 in the first two terms, and successfully complete at least one half-credit course per year thereafter.
Facilities
The department has a graduate student office equipped with computers and internet access, physical geography and GIS labs, and remote sensing equipment. The department is adjacent to the University Map Library, which contains the largest and most comprehensive map and air photo collection in the Niagara Region, as well as up-to-date electronic, digital data and on-line resources. Brock University's location in Niagara close to wineries and tourist attractions, to Niagara Falls, to the Niagara Escarpment, to the US border, to many sites of historical interest as well as its proximity to major cities such as Toronto and Buffalo, provide numerous opportunities for geographical field research and analysis.
Course Descriptions
Note: GEOG 5P01, 5P02, 5P03 and three elective courses are offered each year. Students should consult with the Graduate Program Administrative Assistant regarding course offerings and course selection and must have their course selections approved by the Graduate Program Director each term. Refer to the Timetable for scheduling information:
http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/guides/grad/timetable/terms.php
GEOG 5F90
MA Thesis
An in-depth research project involving the preparation and defense of a thesis which demonstrates capacity for sustained independent work and original geographical research or thought.
GEOG 5F91
Major Research Paper
An independent research project involving the preparation of a major research paper which demonstrates capacity for independent work and rigorous geographical analysis.
GEOG 5P01
Theoretical Approaches to the Critical Examination of Geographical Issues
Evaluation of contemporary geographical theory through a brief analysis of philosophies of the mind, and of scientific knowledge, and extended investigation of philosophies of geography, and of geography's core concepts.
GEOG 5P02
Methodologies for the Critical Examination of Geographical Issues
Major research methods used in geography, with a focus on analyzing the epistemological, theoretical and political implications of using these methods for the creation of geographical knowledge.
GEOG 5P03
Quantitative Analysis in Geography
An examination and application of essential steps in quantitative analysis: data collection and quality assurance, selection and application of appropriate techniques for different types of geographical data, and the meaningful interpretation and communication of results.
GEOG 5P20
Geographies of the Cultural Economy
Investigation of a range of approaches and perspectives in contemporary economic geography through a focus on the concept of the cultural economy.
GEOG 5P25
Advanced Topics in Geomatics
Geospatial data analyses, statistical analyses, data integration and management, and the emergence of web-based geomatics technologies. The use of a geomatics approach to investigate a geographical research topic.
GEOG 5P30
Sustainability and the Environment
Approaches to evaluating the quality of natural and built environments, the role of planning and policy in promoting environmental sustainability and the value and limitations of strategies proposed for managing environmental issues.
GEOG 5P35
Rural Community Development
Processes, strategies, and techniques associated with rural community organization and development, local and regional planning, and collective action.
GEOG 5P40
Historical Geographies of Culture and Power
Investigation of temporal and spatial manifestations of cultural politics and power relations, emphasizing the contested nature of cultural production at global and local scales.
GEOG 5P45
Public Space and Policy
An examination of geographical and planning perspectives on policies relating to public space in contemporary and historical cities.
GEOG 5P50
Critical Geographies of the City
Critical examination of modern urban geographies from various theoretical perspectives, involving empirical case studies from around the world.
GEOG 5P55
Queer Geographies of Gender and Sexuality
Investigation of the spatial organization of gender and sexuality from conceptual perspectives including gay/lesbian studies, women's studies, queer, feminist and trans theorizing.
GEOG 5P60
Vulnerability, Human Communities and the Environment
Concepts of vulnerability, risk, hazard and disaster; the social and spatial production of vulnerability; relationships among vulnerability and environmental change; social, cultural and political responses and formal mitigation efforts.
GEOG 5P70
Geographies of Inequality and Exclusion
How inequality and social exclusion are spatially constituted and manifested as discursive and material practices, and the ways that exclusionary practices are resisted.
GEOG 5V10-5V29
Directed Studies
Specialized study on an individual basis under the direction of a faculty supervisor.
GEOG 5V80-5V89
Selected Topics in Geography
A specialized geographical topic that will vary by instructor.