Overview & Purpose
For this project, you have chosen a country and will research various geographical aspects of that country throughout the year. For each unit of study, in addition to your other assignments for this course, you will research aspects of this country so that you have a more systemic understanding of the factors that shape the people, places and environment of this country. You will gather information about the country and organize it into a portfolio that is one document and will be shared with your teachers. You must also meet various “checkpoints” throughout the year to ensure that you stay on top of your project. The goal of this project is to help you become an expert on your specific country, while simultaneously helping you understanding concepts of Human Geography in greater detail.
General Details
- Each student chose a country that they have not visited, but have a desire to. No student will be allowed to change his or her country once it is given out. There will be no repetition of countries.
- You should use a variety of sources to research your country, but you may NOT use Wikipedia or any other similar website. A number of reliable internet sources will be provided for you throughout the project.
- All sources must be documented in a formal bibliography that is written in MLA format.
- Your country portfolios will be submitted and graded several times during the school year. The final portfolio will have a due date in May.
- This is to ensure that you are on the right track with your research and you are keeping up with the assignments. The last thing we want to see is someone waiting until the last minute to begin working on such an important project!
- In addition to turning in your portfolio, you will also put together a presentation for the rest of the class on your country. It will be presented at the end of the school year. Specific details about the presentation will be provided as we get closer to the end of the year.
- No late projects will be accepted under ANY circumstances! If you are absent when something is due, make sure it gets submitted that day.
- The first page in your portfolio should be a detailed Table of Contents that outlines the documents in the portfolio. Headings and page numbers should be listed and should correspond to the headings and page numbers of the documents.
- Country Portfolio - Overview and Instructions (Google Doc)
- Sample Google Site for Final Published Portfolios
PORTFOLIO TABLE OF CONTENTS:
(this list will be updated as we progress through each unit of the course)
Part 1: Development
Part 2: Indigenous People and Minority Groups
Part 3: Summative Assessment Responses
Part 4: Cultural Iceberg
Part 5: Linguistic Diversity
Part 6: Immigration Dynamics
Part 7: Anti-Immigration Movements
Part 8: Population Distribution and Economic Development
(this list will be updated as we progress through each unit of the course)
Part 1: Development
Part 2: Indigenous People and Minority Groups
Part 3: Summative Assessment Responses
Part 4: Cultural Iceberg
Part 5: Linguistic Diversity
Part 6: Immigration Dynamics
Part 7: Anti-Immigration Movements
Part 8: Population Distribution and Economic Development
Part 1: Development - Portfolio Requirements
1. Create a development profile of your country in order to assess its level of development. Your profile should include a variety of indicators from a variety of sources. It should be approximately 300 words with a conclusion on the level of development as well as facts to support that claim. Sources must be acknowledged.
Development grading checklist.
Helpful resources:
Development grading checklist.
Helpful resources:
- UNDP's HDI World Map + Indicators
- HDI vs. the new Human Life Index HLI (Smithsonian)
- CIA World Factbook
- NationMaster (Compare Data from any country)
- If it Were My Home - Country Comparison
- GapMinder.org Demographic data by Hans Rosling
- Also... within the Library Services Portal (accessible through Schoology), you may find ABC-CLIO -World Geography to be of help to you
2. With reference to your chosen country, make a list of groups that are considered indigenous, and groups that are considered minority.
3. Add (Copy/Paste) the first two responses from your Development Summative to the "Development" section of your Country Portfolio.
3. Add (Copy/Paste) the first two responses from your Development Summative to the "Development" section of your Country Portfolio.
Part 2: Indigenous People and Minorities - Portfolio Requirements
With reference to your chosen country, make a list of groups that are considered indigenous, and groups that are considered a ‘minority’.
Part 3: Summative Assessment Responses - Portfolio Requirements
The Scenario (with reference to your chosen country)
You are the Director of an international trade organization and have to make important decisions regarding the role countries play within the organization and within the global economy.
Include your response to the following summative prompts: (3 paragraphs)
You are the Director of an international trade organization and have to make important decisions regarding the role countries play within the organization and within the global economy.
Include your response to the following summative prompts: (3 paragraphs)
- Development Grants
- Favored Trade Status
- Development Strategies
Part 4: Cultural Iceberg - Portfolio Requirements
In class assignment (iceberg handout given to each student):
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Part 5: Linguistic Diversity - Portfolio Requirements
Write a short report on the full linguistic situation in your country.
Paste into your Country Portfolio. (between 200 and 300 words)
Guiding questions:
Paste into your Country Portfolio. (between 200 and 300 words)
Guiding questions:
- What are the main languages spoken? (Official? Standard?)
- Are languages regional?
- Are there indigenous/minority languages?
- Have any languages died or are under threat?
Part 6: Immigration Dynamics - Portfolio Requirements
Country Portfolio: Part 6 (Cont.) - Immigration Dynamics
Use the Migration Data Portal to find the latest migration data and pertinent migration-demographic data on your selected country. Add this data to your portfolio.
Additionally, write a paragraph (200 words) summarizing your own analysis and conclusion about the impact that immigration trends are having on your country currently and the potential future implications this will have on demographic changes within your country in the next decade (or beyond).
Use the Migration Data Portal to find the latest migration data and pertinent migration-demographic data on your selected country. Add this data to your portfolio.
Additionally, write a paragraph (200 words) summarizing your own analysis and conclusion about the impact that immigration trends are having on your country currently and the potential future implications this will have on demographic changes within your country in the next decade (or beyond).
Part 7: Ant-Immigration Movements - Portfolio Requirements
Research and summarize one anti-immigration movement in your chosen country. (300 words)
Identify:
Identify:
- its aim,
- structure of organisation
- any of it successes or conflicts.
Part 8: Population Distribution and Economic Development - Portfolio Requirements
Write a short report in the region on population distribution and economic development at the national scale, in your chosen country. (300 words)
Include in your report:
Include in your report:
- A map showing population distribution/density
- Evidence of internal migration.
- Major cities and size.
- Population growth and growth of major cities.