GEOG 4463 Geography of Africa
RESEARCH REPORTS
RequirementsTwo short research reports are required from each student. One report must explore a problem or negative event in Africa, and one must cover a success or a positive event or potential in Africa. Each report is to be a geographic analysis of the selected topic. The Aryeetey-Attoh textbook's approach to a topic is a good example of a "geographic analysis." The most important question that a geographer could ask is "why is the topic or problem in question the way it is at the location in which it is observed?" One topic must be from physical geography (ex. climate, landforms, natural resources, vegetation) and one from human geography (ex. culture, economy, health, politics). There can be (and probably will be) some overlapping of human and physical geography in each report, but the primary focus of one must be physical and the other human. Good sources of potential topics can be found in the Aryeetey Attoh textbook, The Africa Library web site, our current event discussions, and the class handouts. One report will be presented orally to the class (5 to 10 minutes), and the other will be typewritten (3 to 6 typewritten pages, double-spaced). The only written things students must turn in for the oral report are the citations for their sources and the exam questions (see below).
The reports must be based on at least three information sources in addition to the Aryeetey-Attoh textbook and The Africa Library web site. At least one of these sources must be in print form (not from the WWW). Full citations must be given for each source. Check the following Modern Language Association web site for information about how to cite WWW-based sources (http://www.mla.org/style/sources.htm). Students may select topics of his/her choice (within the guidelines given in the first paragraph above) and may decide which report will be presented orally and which will be written. Students must supply the class with three multiple-choice questions and one short-answer (requiring a paragraph or two to answer) question based on his/her oral report; do NOT supply the answers in writing (they should be covered in the oral report). Some of these questions will be included in the final exam. Please check the due dates in the "Course Outline", and note that you must let the instructor know your topic and whether it will be oral or written at least one week before the due date.
Each report is worth 50 points. They will be evaluated as follows.
Oral ReportsRevised March 25, 2000.
3 points Clarity of the statement of the topic or problem being addressed
24 points Use of geographic concepts and perspectives in the analysis
3 points Organization of material in the report
8 points Quality of oral delivery
3 points Length of presentation (5-10 minutes)
3 points Citation of sources (supplied in writing; minimum of three sources, at least
one of which must be from a print source)
6 points Sample exam questions (supplied in writing for each class member; three multiple-
choice questions and one short answer question)Written Reports
3 points Clarity of the statement of the topic or problem being addressed
24 points Use of geographic concepts and perspectives in the analysis
3 points Organization of material in the report
14 points Spelling, grammar, and clarity of writing style
3 points Length of presentation (3-6 typewritten pages, double-spaced)
3 points Citation of sources (minimum of three sources, at least one of which
must be from a print source)