geography reserach paper

RESEARCH PAPER:  

“Why is New Mexico poor and what should be done about it?

An 8-page paper

 Format:

1)  Double-spaced, use a 12 font.

2)  1 ½” margins on left, 1” margins elsewhere

3)  At least 8 sources - half must be from sources other than the Internet.

4)  Citation style - no footnotes, use the following: (Jones 1990) when using general

background information, (Jones 1990, p. 8) when citing a specific fact or using a quote

from a certain page.  Then list your sources in any standard format in alphabetical order

in a bibliography at the end of the paper.

5)  No Wikipedia sources allowed. a letter grade deducted if you use this

 6) Indent and single-space long quotes (avoid using too many).

7)  If you plagiarize material use someone else’s work, you will get a zero. 

Research Paper Topic:

“Why is New Mexico poor and what should be done about it?

Part 1)   How did this happen?  (5 pages)

 Discuss how geography helps explain why New Mexico is a poor state.  

Part 2)  What should we do about it?  (3 pages) 

Give a factual opinion on how we can improve economic conditions in New Mexico.

Discussion:

  In Part 1

 analyze New Mexico’s historical and cultural geography for reasons for why

poverty is so common here.  Use historical/cultural facts and demographic/income figures.  New Mexico has been claimed by various Indian nations, Spain, Mexico, and the United States. As a result, New Mexicans often hold very different beliefs about whose place this is and how life should be lived.  What are some of those core beliefs?  Cultural diversity is a wonderful part of living here, but does this limit 

New Mexican’s ability to agree on how we can create a more prosperous future?  

In Part 2

 provide and briefly explain a thoughtful and factual set of recommendations for what can be done to reduce poverty in the state.  A huge variety of topics might be considered including:  reducing social/cultural conflicts, improving educational achievement, changing tax policies, altering economic development and energy development strategies, and reforming U.S.- Mexico Border laws.  Basically, give a fact-based plan for how to reduce poverty.