GEOG202, Spring 2022

Geography of the Global Economy

GEOG202 Report: Critical Review of Dicken’s (2015) Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours
of the World Economy

Length Value Due

DRAFT REPORT 750 - 1,000 words 10% 11:59pm Friday June 3 on LEARN

FINAL REPORT 2,000 - 2,500 30% 11:59pm Friday July 15 on LEARN

words

You will write a report that critically evaluates the course text and proposes a new chapter for a future
edition. You will receive detailed feedback on the draft from the instructor or TA, and then submit a final
report based on additional research and writing, and on the feedback you received. If you need help at any
point, please speak to the instructor or teaching assistants, or seek additional help at the UWaterloo
Writing Centre. It can be helpful to take notes about your experience with the textbook as you read a
chapter each week—this will help you develop your critique.

See below for draft report guidelines, page 2 for final report guidelines, and page 3 for the rubric.

DRAFT REPORT GUIDELINES

The draft report is a way to make sure you are on the right track for the final report. Handing in the draft
is a way to get some feedback on what topics are appropriate, how to write a good argument statement,
and what kinds of literatures you should be citing. Draft reports should be 750 – 1,000 words, excluding
references and figures. Because this is a range, you should stick strictly to this word count.

Format
Your report should be divided into two equal sections:
1. A critical review of the textbook (50%, up to 500 words)
o Ensure you include a thesis statement at the end of your introduction.
o Support this argument statement with evidence from the textbook and other sources if
appropriate.
o Try not to simply describe Dicken’s text, but to evaluate, analyse, and critique.
2. A proposal for a new chapter for a future edition (50%, up to 500 words)
o The second section should include a rationale for the new chapter and an outline of its
contents.
o The new chapter proposal should match the format of the Dicken textbook, and include
subheadings.
o Indicative content under the subheadings can be in point form.

References (not included in the word count):

You should use APA reference style. Your final report will have at least 10 academic sources—aim to
have at least 4 in the draft. Please remember that incorrect citation can constitute plagiarism and is
grounds for giving an report zero, irrespective of the quality of the report. Please speak to the instructor or
a TA if you have questions about how to cite or how to cite correctly.

Figures (not included in the word count):

If appropriate you may use figures to support your argument. These must be referred to in the text (e.g.,
“see Figure 1, which shows, etc.”) and you must also provide a caption and citation. A figure should not
replace text but can be used to provide more detail to a reader and augment the points you are making in
the report. If you are not sure if a figure it appropriate, you can speak to the instructor or a TA.

FINAL REPORT GUIDELINES

The final report focuses equally on (1) your critical assessment of the Dicken text and (2) your proposed
new chapter. Final reports should be 2000-2500 words, excluding references and figures.

Format:
(1) Critical review of the textbook (1,000-1,250 words)
 Half of your final report should be a critical review of the textbook.
o See helpful guidelines “How to Write a Critical Book Review.”
 Your report should have a thesis statement at the end of the introduction, that sets out your
argument.
 You will then support this argument with evidence that will include references to Dicken and
other academic sources.
 Focus on crafting a persuasive argument rather than summarizing the text—what makes the text
(un)successful? Why?

(2) New chapter proposal (1,000-1,250 words)

 The other half of your report will be your proposal for a new chapter for a future edition,
including a fully realized rationale for its inclusion and an outline of the chapter’s contents.
 This outline should match the format of the Dicken textbook, and include subheadings.
 Use high-impact headings and sub-headings to organize your report.
 At least one section of your proposed chapter should be written in full sentences and
paragraph form, explaining a key concept in accessible language (up to 300 words).
 Other indicative content under the subheadings can be in point form.
 You should state what you want students to learn from each (sub)section, making use of
academic citations and sources of other sources of evidence (maps, statistics etc.).
 End with a short conclusion that connects both sections, and appropriately summarizes and
synthesizes the material presented in the report.

I plan to send GEOG202’s reports to the publishing representative for the textbook so they can use your
input to when developing future editions of the textbook—if you do not want me to anonymously include
your work, please mention this in a short statement after your reference list.

References (not included in the word count):

You can use the APA reference style. Your final report will have at least 10 academic sources—aim to
have at least 4 in the draft. Please remember that incorrect citation can constitute plagiarism and is
grounds for giving an report zero, irrespective of the quality of the report. Please speak to the instructor or
a TA if you have questions about how to cite or how to cite correctly.

Figures (not included in the word count):

If appropriate you may use figures to support your argument. These must be referred to in the text (e.g.,
“see figure 1, which shows, etc.”) and you must also provide a caption and citation. A figure should not
replace text but can be used to provide more detail to a reader and augment the points you are making in
the report. If you are not sure if a figure it appropriate, you can speak to the instructor or a TA.
 GRADING RUBRIC

Draft Report
Content of draft
1. Critique of textbook
 Include a thesis statement (1 point)
 Support that statement with evidence (1 point)
 Minimal description, move toward evaluation, analysis, and critique (1 point)

2. Proposal of new chapter

 Rationale of the new chapter (1 point)
 Detailed outline of its contents with subheadings and bullet points (1 point)
 Minimal description, move toward evaluation, analysis, and critique (1 point)

Appropriate identification of readings

 Identified at least four academic sources not including the textbook (1 point)
 These additional sources are appropriate in terms of the topic outlined (1 point)

References and style

 Quality of grammar, clarity of writing, and structure of draft (1 point)
 Inclusion of all sources both in-text and in the list of references. Adherence to the APA
style (1 point)

Final Report
In the final report you will be assessed not only on the quality of the content of your report, but
also (1) your attention to the assignment requirements; (2) your use of key concepts; (3) your
ability to evaluate, analyze, and critique the chosen topic; (4) the quality of your writing.

Excellent (22.5-25) Significantly Above Above Standard (17.5- On Standard (15-19) Below Standard (< 15)
Standard (20-22 19.5)
Assignment All aspects of the All aspects of the All aspects of the Most aspects of the A limited number of
Requirements assignment are addressed assignment have been assignment have been assignment have been aspects of the
(see Format with sophistication. addressed well. addressed, but may lack addressed, but may lack assignment have been
above) specificity or depth. specificity or depth. addressed.
Use of Key Advanced understanding Emerging understanding of Some understanding of Attempts to engage with Little or no attempt to
Concepts of key concepts, going key concepts. key concepts. key concepts, but may engage with key
far beyond content use them incorrectly or concepts.
covered in class. inappropriately, or
oversimplifies their
meaning.
Evaluation, Advanced engagement Good engagement with Some engagement with Limited critical thinking Little or no critical
analysis, and with critical thinking critical thinking through critical thinking through through little evaluation thinking through
critique through evaluation and evaluation and analysis evaluation and analysis, or analysis, report is evaluation and
analysis. but is still a little too mostly descriptive. analysis, report is
descriptive. mostly descriptive.
Grammar, style, Diction is compelling Diction is strong and Diction is appropriate for Diction is appropriate for Diction is not
organization, active and precise, appropriate for the the audience, some the audience, some appropriate for the
and referencing appropriate for an audience, some mechanical linguistic choices may be linguistic choices may be audiences, there may
academic audience, few or grammatical issues that awkward, some awkward, some be obvious and
to no grammatical do not hinder readability, mechanical or mechanical or frequent errors.
problems, references are references are complete grammatical issues that grammatical issues that Referencing may be
complete and appropriate and appropriate. do not hinder readability, hinder readability, incomplete and
references are complete references are complete inappropriate. Report
and appropriate. and appropriate. does not meet word
count.