GEO101: Intro to Geography  

Keywords are the main ideas or concepts of your topic question. Keep a list of these words because you will use them when searching for information on your topic. You will also want to come up with related terms in order to expand your searching.

Globalization is a word with a hundred different meanings. Journalist Thomas Friedman, author of The Lexus and the Olive Tree, believes that “globalization has replaced the Cold War as the defining international system…globalization is the inexorable integration of markets, nation-states and technologies to a degree never witnessed before—in a way that is enabling individuals, corporations and nation-states to reach around the world farther, faster, deeper and cheaper than ever before.”

Many praise the liberating impact  of world trade, globalization and advanced technologies, claiming that marginalized groups are liberated by this experience. Some fear the impact of the western-dominated world might force these marginalized societies to loose their unique culture. Our goal in this research project will be to acknowledge, recognize, and appreciate the culture of the so-called “marginalized groups”of the world.

This is an individual project in which you should find the following:

1.   The location of the group and its placement in the geography of the world.

2.   History: background, immigration, emigration.

3.   The political structure of the group: who makes decisions for the people.

4.   An explanation of their population: age, gender, physical characteristics.

5.   Material culture (See chapter 4): any artifacts, art, crafts, music.

6.   Economic endeavors: farming, hunting and gathering, fishing.

7.   Values: ideas, principles, beliefs, religion.

8.   Rituals: weddings, funerals, births, puberty.

9.   Language and communication

The research part should be at least five pages with an introduction, body and conclusion. The hypothesis in the introduction must be underlined.

All work that is taken from a source-whether exact words or paraphrased -MUST be documented. You can use either parentheticals, footnotes or endnotes. The paper will NOT be accepted without documentation.

You must have a Works Cited page at the end(last page) of your paper.

5 substantive sources will be expected-Wikipedia is in addition to the 5.

The second part of the project is a sharing in class as to what you found. Please do not read your paper, but note cards could be used.

This part MUST have a visual component. The oral should be about 5 minutes-more can be used if you have found a visual that is especially compelling for the class.