Each student in this course will learn how to design a research project and to write a grant proposal to obtain funding to conduct the research. The first third of the semester will be spent in a brief exploration of significant geographic issues in North America (for this course the region will include the United States and Canada). We will read selected articles and chapters and (the in-class students) will view several videos that explore various issues. To the extent possible, online students also should plan to view the videos, if you have access to them.

Each student will select a topic of interest to him/herself, and will devise a research question and research plan. The middle part of the semester we will spend learning how to search for appropriate funding agencies/institutions. Each student will select an appropriate source of funding and in the last part of the semester, will follow the instructions and requirements for that source to write a grant proposal for his/her research project. By the end of the semester, each student will have completed the grant proposal and have it ready to submit to the funding source.

Whether you are about to finish your degree and want to pursue this project in graduate school, or you are planning a career in which you might have to write grant proposals, or you simply need the research seminar in the department, you will learn useful skills in research and writing through this course.

For more information, contact:
Professor Ellen Hansen
phone: (620) 341-5576