Final project

1 GEO 200 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a presentation and speaker notes , through which you will explore how connected we all are. Geographic literacy is important in today’s world. You will likely interact with individuals across the globe, whether in your careers, in something as simple as playing an interactive video game on the internet, or by getting customer service help for an appliance or electronic item you purchased . Therefore, knowing about the world’s regions and countries will aid you in your dialogues with others by advancing your communications and allowing you to understand how connected we all are, even if separated by hundreds or even thousands of miles. You will persona lize this task in that you will be the center of the assignment. Imagine that you are relocating from your current location to a new region of the globe. The reason(s) for the relocation are up to you, and there could be many. Below are example reasons for relocation; however, you should keep in mind that there are endless possibilities. Your audience for this presentation will be your friends and family. Your goal is to sh ow them that you have thought through your relocation to a new global geographic regi on and that you have learned about the area to which you are relocating. Potential reasons for relocation include the following :  Military deployment  Career advancement ( e.g., working for an international corporation such as Ford Motor Company , Exxon, or General Electric )  Humanitarian aid work (e.g. , working with refugees or distributing food or medical supplies)  Personal relationships (e.g. , moving to be with family or for marriage/partnering)  Entrepreneurship  Retirement  Starting over After choosing a gl obal geographic region to relocate to for work or personal reasons, you will analyze both your current region and the new reg ion you identified based on the fundamental themes of geography. Next, you will narrow your new region down to a city or an area of a country and discuss its relevance in regards to its location within that region. Finally, you will discuss what connects you to the new region and how global g eographic themes have influenced your move. The project is divided into two milestones , which will be submitted prior to the final project submission to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestone will be submitted in Modules Two and Five. The final project will be submitted in Module Seven. 2 In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:  Illustrate the fundamental themes of geography using current global and regional examples as support  Compare and contrast global geographic regions based on key physical and sociocultural characteristics  Articulate the significance of major geographic interactions by applying foundational geographic concepts to world regions  Draw basic connections between Earth’s physical environment and various cultures and societies in investigating how observed landscapes are produced Prompt Your presentation should answer the following question : How do the fundamental themes of geography impact my life? To answer this question , you will research a global region and a city or area of a country within that region and examine the connectivity between this locatio n and you. ***Be sure to incorporate the work you completed in the milestone assignments, as well as incorporat e the feedback gained throughout the course, into your final project submission.* ** Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Current Global Region : In this section of your presentation, you will discuss the global region where you currently live. A. Map : Where is your current global region located? Include a cartographically accurate and detailed map, that is also visually ap pealing, showing the location of the r egion where you currently live. B. Characteristics : What key sociocultural and physical characteristics define this as a region? For instance, the Middle East is considered a region that has governments with strong ties to religion and an e nvironment that is hot and dry. C. Interactions : How have humans and the environment interacte d to produce observable landscapes in your current global region? For example, the original grasslands of the Midwest region of the U nited States have been cultivated, changi ng the landscape of the region. II. New Global Region : In this section, you will discuss the global region to which you plan to relocate. A. Map : Where is your new global region located? Include a cartographically accurate and detailed map, that is also visually appeal ing, showing the location of the reg ion where you plan to relocate. B. Characteristics : What key sociocultural and physical characteristics define this as a region? For instance, you could consider the religion and politics of the region, as wel l as its landscape and climate. C. Interactions : How have humans and the environment interacted to produce observable landscapes? In other words, how have humans impacted the local environ ment in your new global region? D. Similarities : Based on the key physical and sociocultural characteristics you have described, what major similarities are there between your current region and your new region? For example, you might consider the physical environment, economic environment, and modes of transportation. E. Differences : Based on the key physical and sociocultural charac teristics you have described, what are the major differences between your current region and the new region to which you will relocate? For example, you might consider the cultural environment , weather , and climate. 3 III. Location : In this section, you will na rrow your focus to a particular city or area of a country within your region. An entire country may be too large to describe; in this case, you will need to focus on a particular city or area of a country. For example, Damascus is the capita l city of Syria , a country within the region of the Middle East. You could choose Damascus, or you might wish to focus on the Syrian and Turkish border line area . Be sure to complete the following : A. Selection : Select a city or area of a country within your new region. Desc ribe the absolute and relative location of your city or area within your new region, supporting your response with current regional examples. B. Regional Significance : What is the geographic significance of this area of a country or city’s location within th e region? For instance, you may have selected a primate city as your location, which will have a different regional impact than an area of a country without a primate city. Your response should be based on the application of geographic concepts to your reg ion. C. Global Significance : What is the geographic significance of this area of a country or city’s location globally? For example, Iran is located in Southwest Asia. Its proximity to the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz, where approximately 20% of th e world’s oil comes from, makes Iran’s location relatively significant in regards to global energy supplies. Your response should be based on the application of geog raphic concepts to your region. IV. Connectivity : In this section, you will discuss connection s between your new region and other world regions , as well as connections between your new region and you personally. A. Interactions : How does your city or area of a country within your new global region interact regionally and globally with other regions? In other words, describe how your region interacts with others, both within the country and abroad. In your response, you could consid er economic, cultural, and physical interactions, for example. Your response should be based on the application of geograph ic concepts to your region. B. Movement : What connects you personally to this new location, causing you to relocate? For instance, are there any current geopolitica l, environmental, cultural, or economic events or issues that connect you to your new region? Support your response with current global or regional examples and make sure to reference the reason you a re relocating. V. Conclusion : What opportunities and challenges will there be in relocating from where you currently reside to your new region, and why? Your response should be based on the connections you drew between the physical environment and the sociocultural cha racteristics of both locations. Milestones Milestone One : Presentation Speaker Notes Worksheet In Module Two , you will submit a completed worksheet with presentation speaker notes that you will use for your final project presentation. In this worksheet, you will imagine that you are relocating from your current location to a new region of the globe , and will addr ess questions to analyze and compare the sociocultural and physical characteristics of the new region of your choice to the one in which you currently live. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric. 4 Milestone Two : Presentation Speaker Notes Worksheet and Draft of Presentation Slides In Module Five , you will submit a completed a worksheet with additional presentation speaker notes that you will use for your final project presentation and continue drafting your presentation slides. In this worksheet, you will continue to imagine that you are relocating from your current location to a new region of the globe, but now you will narrow your focus to a particular city or area of a country within the new region that you select ed. This milesto ne will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric. Final Submission : Presentation and Speaker Notes In Module Seven , you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final pr ojec t. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric. Final Project Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your presentation should contain approximately 10 to 15 slides a nd use Prezi, PowerPoint, or a comparable presentation tool. You must include a separate transcript of your speaker notes so that your instructor knows what you would say if you were to actu ally give the presentation. You should have at least five sources and use current APA style guidelines for your citations and reference list in your final slide. Instructor Feedback : This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more information, review these instructions . Critical Elements Exemplary (100% ) Proficient (90%) Needs Improvement (70%) Not Evident (0% ) Value Current Global Region: Map Meets “Proficient” criteria and map illustrates fundamental themes of geography by appropriately balancing detail and accuracy with visual appeal Includes cartographically accurate, detailed, and visually appealing m ap showing location of current global region Includes map showing location of current global region, but with gaps in cartographic accuracy, detail, or visual appeal Does not include map showing location of current global region 6 Current Global Region: Characteristics Meets “Proficient” criteria and description demonstrates strong grasp of current global region’s sociocultural and physical characteristics Describes key sociocultural and physical characteristics that define current global reg ion Describes key sociocultural and physical characteristics that define current global region, but with gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not describe key sociocultural and physical characteristics that define current global region 6 5 Current Global Region: Interactions Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates keen insight into how connections between physical environment and cultures and societies produce observed landscapes in current global region Explains how hu mans and the environment have interacted to produce observable landscapes in current global region Explains how humans and the environment have interacted to produce observable landscapes in current global region, but with gaps in detail, clarity, or accur acy Does not explain how humans and the environment have interacted to produce observable landscapes in current global region 8 New Global Region: Map Meets “Proficient” criteria and map illustrates fundamental themes of geography by appropriately balancing detail and accuracy with visual appeal Includes cartographically accurate, detailed, and visually appealing map showing location of new global region Includes map showing location of new global region, but with gaps in cartographic accuracy, detail, or visual appeal Does not include map showing location of new global region 6 New Global Region: Characteristics Meets “Proficient” criteria and description demonstrates strong grasp of new global region’s sociocultural and physical characteristics Describes key sociocultural and physical characteristics that define new global region Describes key sociocultural and physical characteristics that define new global region, but with gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not describe key sociocultural and physical characteristics that define new global region 6 New Global Region: Interactions Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates keen insight into how connections between physical envir onment and cultures and societies produce observed landscapes in current global region Explains how humans and the environment have interacted to produce observable landscapes in new global region Explains how humans and the environment have interacted to produce observable landscapes in new global region, but with gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not explain how humans and the environment have interacted to produce observable landscapes in new global region 8 New Global Region: Similarities Meets “Proficient” criteria and response demonstrates a strong understanding of the physical and sociocultural similarities between regions Describes major similarities between current and new regions, based on physical and sociocultural chara cteristics Describes major similarities between current and new regions, but response is not based on physical and sociocultural characteristics or has gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not describe major similarities between current and new regions 6 New Global Region: Differences Meets “Proficient” criteria and response demonstrates a strong understanding of the physical and sociocultural differences between the regions Describes major differences between current and new region s, based on physical and sociocultural characteristics Describes major differences between current and new regions, but response is not based on physical and sociocultural characteristics or has gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not describe major differences between current and new regions 6 6 Location: Selection Meets “Proficient” criteria and examples used to support description of location clearly illustrate fundamental themes of geography Describes absolute and relative location of selected city or area within new region, supporting response with current regional examples Describes absolute and relative location of selected city or area within new region, but with gaps in detail, accuracy, or support Does not describe absolute and relative location of selected city or area within new region 6 Location: Regional Significance Meets “Proficient” criteria and geographic concepts applied are exceptionally well -aligned to geographic significance of the city or area within the new region Explains the geographic significance of the city or area within the new region, based on application of geographic concepts to region Explains the geographic significance of the city or area within the new region, but response is not based on ap plication of geographic concepts to region or has gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not explain the geographic significance of the city or area within the new region 8 Location: Global Significance Meets “Proficient” criteria and geographic concepts applied are exceptionally well -aligned to geographic significance of the city or area to other regions of the globe Explains the geographic significance of the city or area to other regions of the globe, based on application of geograph ic concepts to region Explains the geographic significance of the city or area to other regions of the globe, but response is not based on application of geographic concepts to region or has gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not explain the geograp hic significance of the city or area to other regions of the globe 8 Connectivity:

Interactions Meets “Proficient” criteria and geographic concepts applied are exceptionally well -aligned to geographic interactions Describes how city or area within new region interacts regionally and globally with other regions, based on application of geographic concepts to region Describes how city or area within new region interacts regionally and globally with other regions, but response is not based on app lication of geographic concepts to region or has gaps in detail, clarity, or accuracy Does not describe how city or area within new region interacts regionally and globally with other regions 8 Connectivity:

Movement Meets “Proficient” criteria and examples used to support personal connection to new location clearly illustrate fundamental themes of geography Explains personal connection to new location, supporting response with current geographic examples and referencing reason for reloc ation Explains personal connection to new location, but with gaps in detail, clarity, support, or reference to reason for relocation Does not explain personal connection to new location 6 7 Conclusion Meets “Proficient” criteria and use of conn ections between physical and sociocultural characteristics demonstrates keen insight into opportunities and challenges of relocation Explains opportunities and challenges of relocation, basing response on connections between physical environment and socioc ultural characteristics of both locations Explains opportunities and challenges of relocation, but response is not based on connections between physical environment and sociocultural characteristics of both locations , or has gaps in detail, clarity, or acc uracy Does not explain opportunities and challenges of relocation 8 Articulation of Response Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy to read format Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas 4 Total 100%