Reference no: EM131685609
Research Project Assignment
"What" is "Where" and "Why" is it There?
For this project, you, the researcher, will select a topic of your choice (which is related to geography). A 2 page single spaced paper will be written over this topic. Extra is okay...under is not! (The page count does not include any graphics/figures you may add.)
As the concept of PLACE is a main theme in geography, an emphasis on place will be a vital aspect of this project.
Instructions:
1) Select a topic from the suggested ideas page or come up with a topic on your own (if you choose this route please confirm your topic with me before beginning your research.
2) Once your topic is selected make sure to address at least three of the following questions:
a) Why does place matter?
b) How would this phenomenon be different if located somewhere else?
c) How is culture of the area affected?
d) Is there political, social, or economic factors contributing to the phenomenon?
e) Has this been affected by or influenced globalization?
f) Has it changed over time?
3) After addressing at least 3 of the above questions, dedicate 1 paragraph on your perceptions and understandings (what is your take away). In this paragraph you may use "I".
4) Be sure to introduce your paper: state goals, objective, theme or paper, perhaps why it is of interest (thesis statement). Make sure to have body paragraphs and a solid conclusion.
5) Include at least one figure, image, or table
Format /Style /Organization
- Include a title page (Title, Name, Section, and Date)
- Include page numbers
- Please use Times New Roman or Calibri Font (Size 12, Single Spaced)
- Use 5 sources, 1 May be from your Textbook, others should be from journal articles. Avoid generic websites.
Things to remember
- Always be culturally sensitive!
- Do not use absolute words unless it is true 100% of the time everywhere.
- Use formal language (University level writing)
- You can use first person but only in your perceptions
Project Ideas (Or one of your own!)
These are just a few ideas but the possibilities are endless....
If you choose a topic not on this list, please email me or speak to me after class for approval.
1) Ethnic cleansing in an area
Rwanda
Kosovo
Darfur
Nazi Germany
2) Apartheid
3) Any of the 6 major world religions and tie it to place (either areas practiced or where it emerged and why)
4) Racial segregation (especially in the South)
5) Casinos
6) Wal-Mart
7) China towns in any large city (ethnic enclaves)
8) Ellis Island
9) Human Trafficking or drug trafficking in a selected area
10) Talk about several world heritage sites
11) Tourism and tourists in an area (what they are coming to see and where they are from)
12) Any language
13) Any civil war
14) The breakup of the Soviet Union
15) A particular battle in the war (talk about the site it was fought on)
16) Animal/plant life in an area...what makes that area unique?
17) Any multinational corporation
18) Democracy
19) Past Hawaiian monarchy
20) Terrorism in an area
21) The unfolding of a particular event
a. Ex: 9-11: Why did it take place there...how was the community affected?
b. OKC bombing (same questions)
22) OSU- Why is it in Stillwater? How has it changed the community from its origin (campus archives is an amazing source for this topic)?
23) Route 66
24) Manufacturing in Detroit (Why has it suffered?)
25) Flint Michigan economic down turn
26) Where are the highest unemployment rates and why?
27) Where is a certain disease most prevalent and why?
a. HIV/AIDS
b. Mental Illnesses
c. Alcoholism/ drug abuse
d. Ebola
28) Discuss an ancient civilization...how/where it emerged and grew to power...how it declined
29) Ottoman empire
30) Byzantine empire
31) Native American tribes current lands (depending on state-reservations or territories)
32) Indian removal
33) Voting patterns
34) Fashion
35) Any group of indigenous peoples...select and talk about their culture in relation to place
36) Any natural catastrophe in an area...How it changed the landscape
a. Tornado in Moore
b. Hurricane
c. New Orleans & Katrina; Houston and Harvey; Irma and Puerto Rico
d. Tsunami
e. Wildfires
f. Earthquakes
37) Rainforests
38) Environmental destruction
39) National Parks...why do we have them and where
40) Hollywood
41) Sacred space or land conflicts
a. Israel vs. Palestinians
b. Kurdish wanting a homeland
42) Railroads influence on a particular town
43) Ghost towns (tourism)
44) Chernobyl (tourism)
45) New Orleans and macabre tourism
46) Ethnic neighborhoods/communities
a. Pick one to discuss- Boley/ or Langston, Oklahoma
b. Little Italy in Chicago
c. Greenwood
47) KGB
48) Berlin Wall
49) Organized crime or gangs influence in a particular area
50) LA Riots
51) Any nation-state formation...
a. Pakistan
b. Israel
c. Bangladesh
d. India
52) Food Preference
a) Famous Sandwiches in the US.