Assignments:
Regional Assignment: Due February 27. Download PDF version here.
The purpose of this required exercise (due Monday, February 27th) is to test your knowledge of the concept of region. Before you start, review the meaning of “region” and consult pages 470-487 of your textbook.
Your assignment consists of two parts.
PART I. Write a 2+ page grammatically correct essay (double-spaced, 12-point type) on what makes the neighborhood in which you live a region.
- The first paragraph should include the following sentence: I live near the intersection of _________________ and _______________ (street names) in the area of (your borough or county) known as _____________________ (name of your neighborhood).
- Demonstrate that your neighborhood is a distinctive region. To do this, define “region” and describe the characteristics of your neighborhood, which may include social, cultural, physical, and economic factors, that distinguish it from surrounding areas. (It may be helpful to think about how you would describe your neighborhood to an out-of-town visitor.)
- Describe the boundaries of your neighborhood’s region. (How do you know when you have entered it or left it.)
- On separate pages provide a photocopy of a locator map showing where in the New York metropolitan area your neighborhood is located. Also include a detailed map showing the major streets of your neighborhood (circle the block on which you live), plus the border of your neighborhood’s region.
PART II. Using the thematic maps found throughout your textbook, identify and briefly describe the extent of two large physical geographic regions, and two large human geographic regions that include your neighborhood. These latter regions may be national or global in scale. The purpose of this section is to emphasize that a particular location may be in different regions simultaneously; that regions occur in different scales; and that regions may overlap. Part II should begin with the following sentence: “My neighborhood is a fairly small region. It is located within much larger regions defined on the basis of physical or human characteristics. Two examples of each include:”
- (brief identification and description of a physical geographic region)
- (brief identification and description of a physical geographic region)
- (brief identification and description of a human geographic region)
- (brief identification and description of a human geographic region)
Though it is not mandatory, inclusion of photocopies of relevant atlas maps may prove useful.
Analytical Essays (2): Due March 13 & May 8. Download PDF version here and the Five Themes of Geography.
Please read this completely and carefully. Your grade will depend on it.
The purposes of the analytical essays are to test your knowledge of "the Five Themes of Geography" and to emphasize the relevance of geography to contemporary events. You are required to submit two (2) analytical essays. The first is due in class on March 13, 2006 and is worth 10% of your final grade. The second is due in class on May 8, 2006 and is worth another 10% of your final grade. Late submissions will be penalized by a full letter grade deduction. The definition of late is anytime after the end of class on the respective due dates.
Each essay must be based on a regular news article (not an editorial, letter or advertisement) in The New York Times. Articles from other newspapers or periodicals are not acceptable. The article you choose must be (a) at least 500 words in length; (b) have some relation to geography; and (c) be taken from any section of the Times except the Sunday Travel Section. Be sure to cut out the article, which must be submitted along with your essay. Other instructions follow.
First Analytical Essay (due in class on March 13th)
- It must be based on an article published after January 25, 2006.
- The essay must be at least two full pages in length.
- The essay must be typed or word-processed. Use 12-point type.
- Use double-spacing.
- Begin your essay by summarizing in your own words the content of the article. This discussion should take up no more than the first page of your essay.
- The remainder of the essay must describe how the article relates to geography. To do this, identify four of the Five Themes of Geography (Location, Place, Human-Environment Interaction, Movement and Region) that are evident in the article, and discuss how each theme relates to the article's content. Be specific. Begin this portion of your essay by writing "Geography is evident in this article, which demonstrates the themes of...." Here you should mention the 4 themes you have identified. Each theme should be the subject of separate paragraphs that clearly identify the theme in question, and how that theme is apparent in the article.
- Staple the original copy of the article to your essay (no photocopies allowed).
Second Analytical Essay (due in class on May 8th)
- The essay must be based on an article published after March 13, 2006.
- Otherwise, the instructions for this essay are the same as above.
Country Analysis: Due April 27. Download PDF version here.
This exercise requires you to analyze the present status and predict the future well-being of a particular country (which will be assigned to you). Its purpose is to test your ability to pull together a variety of geographic data in order to "make sense" of a country's conditions and prospects.
In order, your essay should include reference to:
- The country's size and location. (Include a map or maps.)
- It's physical setting and characteristics.
- Principal resources
- Economic characteristics
- People and population distribution
- Principal cities
- Demographic characteristics and trends
- Prospects for future well-being
There is no limit on the sources of information you can use or consult. However, I strongly recommend that you consult (A) thematic maps scattered throughout your text; (B) the Appendix on world population data that begins on page 496 of your textbook; and (C) http://geography.about.com
Your finished paper should be grammatically correct and in the range of 4-6 double- spaced pages in 12-point type.
This assignment has been purposely left somewhat open-ended to allow you some measure of individuality in your approach and composition. Perhaps most importantly, you are encouraged to consult early and often with your instructor.