Perspectives on the Developing World

PURPOSE
 During the final half of this semester, you will write a 5-7 page essay that examines your own perceptions of the Third World.  Your primary goal is to compare your own perceptions previous to taking this course with your perceptions of the Third World at this point in the semester.  Thus, the purpose of this exercise is for you to analyze what you have learned as a result of taking World Geography II.  This essay is not only intended to serve as evidence that you have indeed learned something this semester.  Perhaps more importantly, writing this essay should make you more aware of how your attitudes and perceptions about people and places can (and should) change – or at least be better informed – as you gain more knowledge and information about them.  Also, if you are enrolled in the “new” liberal studies program that began this year, you can use this essay for your learning portfolio.

GUIDING QUESTIONS
 I expect that this essay will represent your own personal attitudes, perceptions and interests as an individual.  Thus, each of you will focus on different issues and aspects of the material that we have covered in class (and in your texts).  However, I will present some guiding questions here so that you have a place to start.  You do not need to answer all of these questions – you will not have space for it.  You should consider them first, however, and decide what you wish to emphasize.
? If you were asked to describe the Third World now, as you were at the beginning of the semester, how would your descriptions be different, or similar? Why?
? How have your perceptions changed about what the “Third World” really is?
? What does it mean to be a “developing country,” based on what you have learned?
? How have your opinions changed, or remained the same, about the role of the United States in the affairs of LDCs?
? Who, or what, do you view as being “responsible” for the amount of hunger and “poverty” that exists on our planet?
? Are Third World countries and their peoples more interesting to you than they might have been prior to taking this course?  Why or why not?
? What aspects about the geography of development have surprised you, or interested you, the most?  Why?
? Are there “simple problems” in the Third World, and are they deserving of “simple solutions”?
? What does “development” mean to you, and why?
? Do you feel that you have a more thorough, or different, understanding of the way the world “works”?  How so?  Why or why not?
? Why is it important to understand historical and geographical circumstances about people and places before forming opinions about them?

REQUIREMENTS

1) Your essay must include some sort of introduction and conclusion.  In both, you must clearly state your basic theme (or thesis statement), around which your paper will focus.  NOTE: Intros and conclusions are often the most challenging parts of a paper.  A conclusion should NOT merely repeat what you said in the text or what you stated in the introduction.  Instead, the conclusion should be more reflective and thoughtful regarding the issues that you have covered, allowing you to sum up your thoughts along with the main theme or purpose of your paper.
2) Your paper should be between five and seven pages in length, not including references or other materials.  Any essay that exceeds or falls short of this requirement will have points deducted.
3) Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, with 10 or 12-point font size.  Margins should be no greater than one inch on sides, top, and bottom.
4) Use plenty of examples to illustrate your statements and opinions.  These examples should come from two primary sources: a) in-class lectures and discussions, and b) your text book and reader.
5) Use information from at least two of your reading assignments.  Be sure to cite any information that comes from your books.  In the text of your paper, simply write: (Salter and Hobbs, p. 66).  NOTE: lecture materials must be used, but you do not have to cite them.
6) DO NOT merely copy paragraphs from the text.  The bulk of the paper should be written in your own words, with occasional, well-placed quotes to exemplify what you are saying.  Also, DO NOT begin or end a paragraph with a quote.
7) Somehow, be sure to compare your current opinions and sentiments with those prior to taking this course.
8) Your writing must be polished!  That means complete sentences, organized thoughts, decent paragraphing, minimal typos and spelling errors, and decent grammar.  THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND PUBLIC PLANNING TAKES WRITING VERY SERIOUSLY.  Letter grades will be deducted for poor, careless, sloppy writing.  I suggest that you proof read, and have someone else read your paper to be sure that it makes sense and is well organized and written.

DUE DATE:  In class, Thursday, Dec. 2.  (20% of grade will be reduced for each day late.)