Cultural Geography

Extra Credit

• You may attempt both A and one option from B. Late submissions will not be accepted. See calendar for due dates.

   

  A Exam Extra Credit. Each regularly scheduled exam will have an extra credit section worth 5 additional points. Correct answers will increase the exam grade; wrong answers will not affect the grade. Make-up exams do not include extra credit.

   

  B Select one of the following from Option B and do a thorough response to earn full extra credit. See calendar for due dates. No late submissions accepted.

  B1 Research Paper. For up to 7 points added to your term average and therefore influencing the final grade, write a focused research paper consisting of a 5-page narrative plus a bibliography plus maps and illustrations on a pre-approved topic that either (a) deals with a tangible aspect of cultural geography or (b) a discussion of the life and works of a noted cultural geographer focusing on that person’s contribution to the field of study and academic thought. The paper must be concise, focused on the approved topic and show the geography behind the theme. A minimum of two maps must be included in the paper, one showing the location of the topic and the other illustrative of the area or event or theory being discussed.

  B2 Discussion Paper. For up to 7 points added to your term average and therefore influencing the final grade, write a short discussion paper consisting of a 4-5 page narrative plus a bibliography plus applicable maps and illustrations on discusses one of the theories and concepts of cultural geography as presented in the textbook/ supplemental readings. The paper must be concise, focused on the topic and be in the form of a discussion looking at all sides of an issue. NOTE: You must discuss both the pros and cons of the topic.

  B3 Geography in the News. For up to 7 points added to your term average and therefore influencing the final grade, collect and annotate 14 recent news articles (newspaper, magazine, journal or Internet; not blogs, editorials, or op-eds) published between June 2017 and December 2017 illustrative of a cultural geography issue discussed in class or in the textbook. In each 2-page double spaced essay briefly summarize the article (half page) and show in one and half pages the geography embedded within it (Ask yourself the question: Where’s the geography?). The extra points will be allotted proportionally based on how many articles are submitted and correctly analyzed. Short submissions will not earn full credit. Properly cite the article in the header by including the source, date and the title.  Include a copy of the article with your analysis, either as an electronic printout or a photocopy of the original. Staple the article to the appropriate essay.

  PLEASE NOTE:

  1. Extra credit assignments are optional. Your final grade will not be adversely affected if you choose not to do them. The deadlines associated with them are firm. Late submissions will not be graded.

  2. Approval is required prior to beginning any research project. The topic of your extra credit research or discussion paper must be approved in advance to make sure the topic is manageable. Any student planning to do the research or discussion paper extra credit option must submit in writing a proposal with a justification showing your interest in the topic proposed and an outline of major points to be covered. It is important that your proposal be narrow in scope and focused on a topic.