Subject: Human Geography
Objective:
Review a recent book and connect course content, ideas and theory.
Method:
Read a book, discuss it in book club and write a review.
A strong review will introduce the text, its context, the author, and other background information. Reviews should summarize the text on a whole and by each individual chapter or section of chapters. Be sure to think about the evidence and theory presented in the book. A strong review will carry out additional research to better critique or contextualize the text. This can include reading and interpreting some of the source material the author draws on. It can also include finding more recent or contrarian sources of knowledge and evidence. The book review should synthesize the central argument and discuss its significance and application. Personal reflection on what this book means to you or whether you enjoyed reading can be helpful, but not necessary. Below are a series of prompts that can help you write, there is no need to answer all of these, rather use these as inspiration:
What context, setting or geography is this book about?
Who is this book written for?
What research went into this book?
How is this book different from other books in the discourse?
What vision does the author present of the urban landscape?
How might a planner use the knowledge in this text?
How does the text think about ones right to city?
What course themes and reading relate to this text?
