– The objective of your project is to use what you can glean from geography (theory, applied methods, etc.) to research your topic and explain the WHY of WHERE. These are perhaps the most important words in geography classes – why are things happening where they are happening? How do places differ? What unique confluence of physical environment, culture, and history lead to the conditions or situation you are researching? Geography answers “why” questions about spaces, places, and locations.
– For most of the following topics, you’ll need to focus in on what is happening in one place in order to relate to the course. For example, instead of “homelessness”, select a specific group of homeless individuals to study, such as homeless families in Bakersfield, CA. Then focus on what is going on in Bakersfield, or beyond, that influences the phenomenon and the academic research related to your topic. Factors may be economic, geographical, social, etc. Narrowing your focus to a specific region or location will bring focus to the relevant geographic factors.
– It is usually helpful to think of a problem and a solution. What is the problem? What are the factors? What are the potential solutions and be sure to find relevant information in our assigned materials to help keep you on track. Geography papers are fundamentally different than economics papers, history papers, etc. We may discuss those factors in a geography paper, but the aim is more holistic analysis that is achievable because geography analyzes the total of what is happening in a place and all of the influences on a problem.
1. Choose at least five reputable sources, including at least three journal articles to get started.
Partial list of geography journals (great places to find your three or more journal articles):
Progress in Human Geography
Physical Geography
Annals of the American Association of Geographers
Economic Geography
Journal of Economic Geography
Political Geography
Geoforum
Regional Studies
Progress in Physical Geography
Antipode
Environment and Planning A
Environment and Planning D
Landscape and Urban Planning
Professional Geographer
Explain why you picked this particular topic. Why do you like it? Why is this problem or topic important? What were your impressions of it before you researched your paper? AND/OR Get down to business and tell me why the problem you want to address is vital to solve, or something along those lines. If you take a stance, writing will probably flow. Where does the research lead you? What will you prove with your paper? Suggested length: 1-3 paragraphs; approximately one page
Body:
Describe the relevant environmental and cultural factors (a.k.a. the human geography, physical geography, or regional geography) behind your topic, based on the textbook, other assigned materials, and your research. Suggested length: 2-4 pages
Body Part II:
Then, discuss the problems and solutions related to your topic in about 2-4 pages. Provide your informed analysis. This is typically the most important part of a good paper. The content will vary depending on your topic.
Conclusions:
Summarize what you learned and explain how your initial impressions were correct or incorrect. What is the path forward? If the information from this project will be useful to you in the future, this is the place to mention that impact. Suggested length: approximately one page
Visuals:
Include supporting visual materials in your paper as you find it appropriate to help you tell the story of what your research indicates. Visuals do not count toward the page count, however they can help support your arguments and inform your reader. Take note of good graphics, images, maps, photos, charts, etc. that you encounter as you do your research. All visuals should include citations. Visuals should only be included if you plan to reference or discuss them in your paper.
