Geog100-05   World Regional Geography   Spring 2005  Course Project

World Regional Geography of Development

                    Due Date Wed Mar 16, 2005, 12:29 A.M.               

Goal: We are required to have a course project with a written component.  The point of the project is to encourage re-reading the textbook on your own, compare countries profiled in the videos shown in class, and test your ability to interpret data, draw maps, and write analytical texts.  Follow the instructions and you should be fine.

Short description: You need to calculate the MPQLI index, map it, and write a one page essay identifying and describing the world regional geographical pattern for the index.

The Physical Quality of Life Index (PQLI) is said to be a better measure of development than other measures of well-being (see pp. 32-34 of the textbook) because it deals with human, not just economic, factors.  The indicators most frequently used in calculating this type of index are: literacy rate, infant mortality rate, and life expectancy.  For this assignment, we will use a Modified Physical Quality of Life Index (MPQLI).


Step 1.  Download the arrow Course Project Table and fill in the missing data on infant mortality (IM) and life expectancy (LE).  In the table, you are given only the literacy rates for various countries.  The other two indicators, infant mortality (IM) and life expectancy (LE), are found in the textbook (Population Data by Country PD-1, the very end of the textbook).  The table is also available arrow online just in case.  


Step 2. [10 points] Calculate the Modified Physical Quality of Life Index (MPQLI) for each of the countries in the table, using the formula:
   
    MPQLI = ([270/infant mortality] + life expectancy + literacy rate) / 3

 e.g., for the Czech Republic, IM = 5, LE = 75,   LR = 99, therefore its MPQLI is (270/5 + 75 + 99)/3 = 76


Step 3. Print out the completed table; for submission, the countries should be organized alphabetically.


Step 4. Download and print out  arrow World Blank Map (also available on the textbook CD-ROM and web-site).  It is in PDF format; you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed (available for free from www.adobe.com).


Step 5. [10 points] On the blank map, draw boundaries of the world regions (realms) we use, and plot the values for each of the countries using the following ranges: 

    70 and above;       60-69.9;     50-59.9;   49.9 and below;   no data

The map should be accurate and easy to understand.  For higher value range, use darker colors/tones/pattern, and reverse (leave the countries with no data blank).  Be professional: the map should have an appropriate title and a legend showing the colors used for each category in sample boxes.    The lines used for borders of the world regions (realms) and the source of the map should be also explained in the legend.  See the textbook for examples.


Step 6. [10 points] Write a one page essay answering the following question:
  
             Is there an identifiable world regional pattern for the MPQLI index?

Which countries have the highest/lowest MPQLI?    In which of our world regions are many of the highest/lowest scored countries located?  Do these regional patterns correspond to your expectations?  Overall, is there an identifiable global pattern?  How would you explain the regional distribution of the index?  Why is this index still not a satisfactory measure of a country’s development?  Be as thorough as possible.  Explain fully.


Instruction: Only information obtained from the textbook may be employed when responding to the questions.  The essay will be judged primarily in the following respects: usage of appropriate geographical terms; reasonable spatial argumentation; writing quality.  Text must be coherent, clear and typed (1.5-spaced, 11 point size, 1 inch margins, 1 page maximum.)  You don’t have much space (1 page); therefore think carefully about every word you use.  

Resources:  Use the university’s Writer’s Resource Lab or the Learning Alliance and similar services if need.  See also below Writing Tips and/or Dr. Rodrigue’s Guidelines http://www.csulb.edu/~rodrigue/writmech.html.


Step 7. Staple the map, the table, and the essay, make sure that all have your name on them. 


Step 8. Submit to the instructor in class before the deadline: Wed Mar 16, 2005, 12:29 A.M.  Missed deadline: 5 points deducted if submitted the same day; 10 points for each missed day.     



Writing Tips

Do you have an essay assignment or a research paper to write?  Good writing takes time and effort, but if done correctly it can be quite rewarding.  If you follow these steps you will take the anxiety out of writing and be able to produce the best work possible.

1 -        Before writing anything, read the assignment at least twice, so that you know exactly what you are supposed to do.

2 -        If assignment requires research in books, study the assignment carefully before reading so that you can be thinking of ideas while you read and study. Take notes.

3 -        Brainstorm on paper. Write down every idea that comes to mind, and play with those ideas.

4 -        Look for connections between your ideas.

5 -        Define your thesis, which is the position you want to develop and defend.

6 -        Arrange and rearrange your ideas until you can establish an order that has a logical progression.

7 -        Write an outline. It can be an elaborate one with roman numerals or an informal one.

8 -        Write your first draft of the assignment. An essay or research paper must have:

- an introduction (which includes your thesis)

- a body (in which you develop your thesis)

- and a conclusion.

9 -        After you have finished writing the first draft of your essay or research paper, read it to make sure that:

- your paragraphs begin with topic sentences

- there are transitional devices linking one paragraph to another

- there is a clear, logical relationship between each paragraph.

10 -      Rewrite your essay or research paper to correct any problems you discover in step 9 (this is an important step that many people skip!).

11 -      After you have completed the last draft, proofread it once more, looking for typos, grammatical errors, etc.

FINAL TIP

Set up a schedule that will allow you to complete the assignment on time and stick to it! You can do this by working backward from the assignment due date and giving yourself the smaller goals of completing each step of the writing process as described above. For example, allow one day before the assignment is due for proofreading, then schedule in several days before the assignment is due for correcting any problems with your first draft, and so on until you reach the present time accounting for every step. If you follow these steps you can produce an essay or research paper that really represents the kind of work you are capable of, without any last minute rushing that does not really do justice to your abilities.