Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2017 - URB 696 G100

Seminar in Urban Studies (4)

Class Number: 7541

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 5 – Dec 4, 2017: Tue, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    15 or more units of coursework completed, including URB 670 with a grade of B+ or higher.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

In-depth study of two or three areas of urban studies with particular attention to (1) the contributions of various disciplines and (2) the development of a proposal for research to explore a suitable area of particular interest to the student. Where feasible, students will be involved with external organizations in developing their research proposal.

COURSE DETAILS:

URB 696 launches students on the research and writing of an original and independently executed M.Urb. project by seeing them through the development of a research proposal or prospectus. This prospectus will form the foundation for their M.Urb. projects.  

Please note. By the beginning of URB 696 students are expected to have developed a M.Urb. topic and preliminary research question that both they and their senior supervisors have deemed appropriate and doable. This topic and question can evolve, but experience has shown that students who have done the necessary legwork before the beginning of this class and stick with their plan complete their degree more quickly and successfully than other students.   

While there is no assigned reading for this class, students will be required to do a considerable amount of independent library research and reading specific to their project topic and question, as well as other challenging intellectual work involved in developing an independent research project. During the first half of the semester, they will also have to budget time to read and comment upon other students’ work. Hence, this course will most likely require students to devote more time to it week to week than their previous URB classes.  

Students will be evaluated based on a number of writing assignments, including their evaluation of fellow students’ written work. Each student will also be required to make a class presentation on his or her prospectus, which will then be submitted in written form as a 30-page document on the last day of class.

Grading

  • Reverse engineering of a M.URB thesis 10%
  • Critical assessment of other students’ research prospectus components 15%
  • Review of key literature 20%
  • Presentation on research topic and methods 10%
  • 30-page research prospectus 5%

NOTES:

Submission of project for research ethics approval is also an ungraded but required assignment for this class.  

Students must complete all assignments in order to pass URB 696.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS