UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD PgC/PgD/MSc by DISTANCE LEARNING GIS NETWORK IN COURSE ASSESSMENT UNIT

CODE: 69EG4400/ CRN 26592 UNIT TITLE: Fundamentals of GIS Tutor Assessed Assignment 1: A 3000 Word Essay Unit assignment weighting: 50%

What does GIS mean today? Write an essay of no more than 3000 words which: Explains what GIS is, in a contemporary context, and evaluates some of the more recent attempts to define GIS in both the academic (e.g. tool versus science debate) and wider world (e.g. neogeography) Considers the suitability and ultimately the validity of the different components of GIS identified within the UNIGIS model Provides a suitable argument to define and contextualise GIS today.

The intended learning outcomes for this assignment are that on completion you should be able to: Evaluate the significance of the different components of GIS and their linkages Discuss the recent advances in GIS (e.g. Critical GIS, neogeography) and highlight any potential impacts on the practice of GIS Demonstrate your ability to write at postgraduate level including key skills such as literature searching, developing and presenting a coherent argument and correctly citing references in the text.

Useful starter references (all should be available electronically with the possible exception of those asterisked please check with the library about their availability): *Chrisman, N.R. (1999) What Does GIS Mean? Transactions in GIS 3(2): 175-186. Elwood, S. (2009) Geographic Information Science: new geovisualisation technologies emerging questions and linkages with GIScience research. Progress in Human Geography 33(2): 256-263. *Gold, C.M. (2006) What is GIS and What is Not? Transactions in GIS 10(4): 505-519. Goodchild, M.F. (1992) Geographical Information Science. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems 6: 31-45. Hall, P.J. (2001) (Editorial) Geographic Information Science: Innovation Driven by Application. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems 25: 1-4. Schuurman, N. (2009) Critical GIScience in Canada in the new millennium. The Canadian Geographer 53(2): 139-144. Wright, D.J., Goodchild, M.F. & Proctor, J.D. (1997) Demystifying the Persistent Ambiguity of GIS as Tool versus Science. Annals of the Association of American Geographers 87(2): 346-362. You should also consult the unit reader and search the wider academic literature for suitable references. NO. OF WORDS: 3000 Maximum (not including reference list or captions) WORD If your work exceeds this limit by more than 10% your mark will be reduced by 10% PROCESSED: If your work exceeds this limit by more than 30% your mark will be capped at 50% Yes DATE SET: Monday 20th September 2010 ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION DATE: Friday 3rd December 2010

NAME OF STAFF SETTING ASSIGNMENT: Graham Smith / Ian Drew

Grade Descriptors for Assignment 1

Presentation & Structure 30% of marks DISTINCTION (70% and above) Excellent logical structure and high quality presentation. Clearly demonstrates understanding and application of the skills base required in presenting written academic work Very well presented and clearly structured essay. Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively in writing

Review & Development of Argument 50% of marks Excellent grasp and critical use of literature to provide a full and contemporary review. Provides a clear, well argued explanation of GIS. Clearly demonstrates a good understanding of the nature of the subject Good use of literature to produce a detailed review and clearly argued explanation of GIS. Demonstrates an appropriate understanding of the nature of the subject Satisfactory overview of literature but not a particularly well argued essay. A fair understanding of the nature of the subject is revealed Limited review with no clear argument. Suggests limited understanding of the subject

Literature, Citation & Referencing 20% of marks Full referencing and citation providing direct evidence of an extensive, relevant, up to date literature base

MERIT (60-69%)

Solid literature base correctly cited and referenced

PASS (50-59%)

Essay structure is fine but presentation is poor. Academic writing skills require some development General presentation is fine but the essay is poorly structured. Academic writing skills require development

Adequate literature base but some problems with citation and referencing

MARGINAL FAIL (45-49%)

Limited literature base AND/OR major problems with citation and referencing

FAIL (< 45%)

Very poorly presented and confused structure. Academic writing skills clearly require considerable development

No review or argument presented. No grasp of the nature of the subject demonstrated

No citation and references thus providing no direct details of the literature base. No use of literature evident