Mr. Myras D. Osman
AP Human Geography, AP European History, Gifted Co-chair
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
999 Kedzie Avenue
Flossmoor, IL 60422
AP Human Geography Research Project
Second Semester-DUE April 11th 2007
The ability to conduct research and the ability to present findings and conclusions clearly are very
definitely valuable personal skills. Research and writing will serve as an introduction to primary
source material, and the application of organization and presentation skills will prepare you to
answer the Free Response questions on the Advanced Placement examination.
Before you start
Pick a TopicFor many people the most difficult task is to pick a good topic and create a thesis or hypothesis
for the paper. Once you have chosen a topic and submitted the Project Proposal form you MAY
NOT SWITCH TOPICS. Remember that you will be working on the same topic from January
to April, so choose wisely. Choose a topic that not only interests you, but also can be researched
adequately with the sources available. TWO STUDENTS MAY NOT DO THE VERY SAME
TOPIC; therefore it is wise to have a second option in mind. Remember the topics listed are
good suggestions, but for some it is more difficult to obtain research materials quickly. Persevere
in your research and exhaust all possibilities before you abandon a topic.
Suggested Topics
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Maps as the Language of Geography
Who Invented Geography?
The Value of Field Observation in Geography
Current Water use in Your Hometown-The Environmental Impact of the use of Lake
Michigan Water
The Sewage Treatment Facilities of Your Hometown-the Environmental Issues
Flooding and Water Problems in the Homewood-Flossmoor School District
The Use of Geographic Data Bases in the Information Age
How One Geographer Made a Difference (A case study of one of the geographers cited in
Chapter 1-10)
Population Policies of a Developing Nation: (Pick One)
The Population and Immigration policies of a Developed Nation (Pick One)
Evaluate the impact of the work of Pasteur, Lister and Koch on human health and worldwide population growth
City versus rural populations in a township or county of Northern Illinois-a Case Study
Choose a culture of Africa, the Americas, Asia or Europe. Research the customs, and beliefs
about religion, children and the role of women in society, birth control beliefs and practices
Choose a geographic regions such as South America, Western Asia or Eastern Africa from
the Population Reference Bureau’s World Population Data Sheet. Select three countries
AP Human Geography Second Semester Research Paper
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within that region and identify the dominant religion or religions practiced within those
countries. Compare the countries by religious practices, total fertility rate, infant mortality
rate, total life expectancy, and per capita GDP. Analyze the results of your research and
identify consistent patterns in religious practice, fertility, infant mortality and so forth.
Research the US environmental footprint-its size and components-and compare it to other
industrialized nations. Compare the US footprint and impact to less-developed nations.
Malthus and Ravenstein: Comparing Two Theories of Population Geography
The Environmental Factors Explaining Population Distribution
China’s Family Planning Program: A Demographic Case Study
Reasons for Migration: Examining the Push and Pull Factors
Using the Gravity Model to Predict Migrant Flows
Culture and the Physical Environment: How They Interact
Language as a Descriptor of Region
Religion as a Descriptor of Region
The Why? and Where? Of “Official” Languages
Language as a Nation Builder
The Global Diffusion of European Culture: A Case Study
Religion and the Geography of Diet
Looking at a Religious Landscape: A Case Study
Reading Cultural Landscapes: A Geographic Perspective
Research the trends in urbanization during the last half of the 20th Century, and projections
or urbanization trends in the early 21st Century. Identify the most populous cities in the
world in 1950 and in 2000 and the projected most populous cities in 2025. What shifts can
be observed and asses the possible causes.
Research and report on sustainable agriculture programs, their applicability to food
production in the western and developing world.
Research “urban agriculture” and its current extent and importance. Analyze its potential to
increase food security. Identify five places that urban agriculture could make a difference
locally.
Research agriculture subsidies. When and why were they originally introduced? What form
do they take? What unintended results do they produce?
Looking at a Religious Landscape: a case study.
Religion and the Geography of Diet.
Religion as a descriptor of region.
Max Weber and the Protestant Ethic.
Liberation Theology: the problems of overcoming poverty as viewed by Christian theology.
The potential of genetic engineering to solve the problem of hunger.
Thomas Malthus and the Malthusian Equation: an evaluation.
The world’s principal food crops: their distribution and their markets.
Factors influencing land use: examining models as production determinants
The Green Revolution and problems of increasing food production.
Problems associated with animal production.
The impact of the U.S Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
International law and the regulation of the world’s fishing areas.
In search of new technologies: aquaculture and the use of hybrids.
Barriers to increasing agricultural production in the developing world.
Wheat and rice as cultural indicators: a case study
Modernization and changing residential traditions in rural settlements
AP Human Geography Second Semester Research Paper
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The three agricultural revolutions: a contrast in the study of spatial settings.
A non-western urban model: a case study.
Cities as economic entities.
Hexagons and honeycombs: Christaller’s “Central Places”.
Models of urban hierarchies: studies in diffusion.
The internal geography of cities.
Charles Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (Le Corbusier); an assessment of his city planning.
The work of Frederick Law Olmstead.
The ecological footprint of a city.
Assessing the problems of homelessness in urban areas.
The “Informal housing sector” in megacities.
The collective farm system of the former Soviet Union: an assessment.
The virgin and idle lands program of the former Soviet Union: an assessment.
Racial segregation in American cities: an historical overview.
Suburban development in the United States.
The postmodern city: some predictions and speculations.
Ancient and modern Athens: a comparative analysis.
Ancient and modern Rome: a comparative analysis.
Urban planning and the “Ideal City”.
Why the megalopolis?
Is Walmart good for America?
What has been the historic impact of labor unions?
What are the positive and negative consequences of outsourcing?
Research the dominant industries or economic activities in a local city or township of your
choice. What generates the most income or the greatest number of jobs? Analyze the social,
economic and environmental changes and concerns.
Assess the impact of the adoption of the Euro in January 2002. What are the potential
positive and negative consequences?
Assess the positive and negative consequences of the adoption of NAFTA. Which group or
nation has benefited the most or suffered the most as a result?
Choose an American steel company and trace its beginnings, development and decline.
Explain why the company prospered and then faltered.
Evaluate why the “Rustbelt” declined and became the “rustbelt”. Why did US heavy
industry decline?
Explain why the World Trade Organization has impact not just on the economies of nations,
but also on their cultures and the ways in which humans interact in their environment?
Investigate one of the major MNC (multinational corporations) and assess the positive and
negative impacts it has on a particular developing region or nation. E.g. Exxon, Shell, Sony,
IBM, Microsoft, Ford, Nike, McDonald’s Mitusushi, Dow, etc.
Choose a major relief organization and investigate how it is funded and how it delivers
assistance to the victims of a disaster. E.g. Red Cross, Red Crescent, Oxfam, CARE, Save
the Children, etc.
Evaluate the Kyoto Protocol: Negotiating Climate Control. What impact will the protocol
have on reducing greenhouse gases? Evaluate the current US position on the protocol.
Assess the impact of ranching in the Amazon rainforest.
Discuss the causes and impact of the desertification of the Sahel.
Evaluate the environmental hazards of Mexico City. Discuss the methods that are currently
being used or discussed to alleviate the problems.
AP Human Geography Second Semester Research Paper
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Paul R Ehrlich wrote that a child born in a MDC would impose hundred times more stress on
the world’s resources and environment than a child born in a typical LDC would. Cite
examples to refute or support Ehrlich’s claim.
Defining the Developed and the Developing World.
The Gross National Product and the Quality of Life in the Developing World: Exploring A
Relationship.
Examining a Pre-Industrial Society: A Case Study (e.g. Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Somalia,
etc.)
Why Some Countries are Rich and Some Countries are Poor: An analysis
Alfred Weber and His Theories of Industrial Location: An Explanation.
Geopolitics: An Authentic Inquiry Model or Pseudo Science?
Tourism as an Economic Activity
Politics and Economic Development: An Essential Relationship
What Makes a Corporation Transnational?
New Economic Expressions: Distinguishing Between Quaternary and Quinary Industries
The International Division of Labor: Measuring Its Value
The Idea of the Nation
Heartland versus Rimland: Are They Theories in Conflict?
The Shapes of Countries: Do They Make a Difference?
Political Insulation: North Korea as a Case Study
Making Frontiers into Boundaries: Some Historical Examples
World Order as a Political Concept: Designing a Definition
Colonialism and the Process of Enculturation
Balancing Power: The States and the Federal Government-The American Experience
The European Union: A Case Study in Supranationalism
Devolution: A Case Study (e.g. Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, United Kingdom -(Wales,
Scotland, Ulster), Basque, Catalonia, Quebec, etc.
Please note that students may come up with their own appropriate topic.
Tips for picking your own topic:
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Follow up on an idea that arose in class.
Read an article, or section in a book, on a topic that interests you.
Browse! Articles, newspapers, radio, television, etc.
Talk to outsiders about possible research ideas.
What outside interests do you have that might generate a research topic?
ALL RESEARCH TOPICS MUST BE APPROVED BY THIS INSTRUCTOR
BEFORE YOU PROCEED WITH RESEARCH!
Research
For many students, the business of actually starting a research project is one of the most difficult
stages of all. This is partly because the deadline for the project initially seems such a long way
off and there are always so many more urgent things to be done, but it is also due to the
enormousness of the task, and a lack of experience in organizing such a large piece of work. We
will have limited time to research in the H-F library; therefore much of the research will need to
AP Human Geography Second Semester Research Paper
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be done outside of class. Use the limited class time in the library to establish a topic, thesis and
locate potential resources. Often the hardest part of researching a new topic is the beginning.
Once you have found one article, it is usually easier to find more. This is because of the
academic habit (which you should adopt) of giving a list of references at the end of the paper (or
sometimes at the foot of each page), which will probably cover most of the major sources
consulted by the author.
One of the best methods of research is the use of index cards for all information gathered.
Putting all your notes on the cards instead of bits of paper makes organizing and writing the paper
more efficient. Create a bibliography index card as soon as you find a usable source. Indicate on
each information card the source and page number to make footnoting easier as you write the
paper. Put all paraphrasing and direct quotes on information cards that can then be organized to
follow the outline of your paper.
Keep in mind that the interlibrary loan system can gain you access to many sources housed in
university and public libraries. Start early on your research. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.
Papers that are done at the last minute and reflect shoddy and hasty workmanship will be
penalized. All works must be attributed. Plagiarism will result in a zero for the entire paper and
a mark on your permanent record.
Writing the Paper
Once your research is complete organize your index cards, review them and begin writing.
Writing is a craft that requires time, patience, perseverance and practice.
Do not start writing the paper until all of your research is complete. Give yourself at least two
weeks to write, proofread, revise and type your paper. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR FIRST
DRAFT as a finished paper. (NOTE-YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO TURN IN YOUR
FIRST DRAFT AS A ROUGH DRAFT SHOWING HAND WRITEN CORRECTIONS)
After writing the paper, proofread and then ask a parent or another adult to proofread it as well.
Please remember that your paper will be judged on the final product and not necessarily the effort
involved. Good intentions alone do not produce a cogent, well-crafted paper.
Refer to the Style Sheet for details about the mechanics for the research paper. Excessive
grammar, spelling and typographic errors will result in an unlimited loss of points.
The Structure of the Paper
 Title page-A title page with the title of the paper, your name, the course and date should be
placed at the very beginning of the paper. A folder or cover is not required.
 Introduction-The introduction must contain the hypothesis or thesis statement that the writer
will prove or disprove in the body of the paper. It should be well developed with at least a
full paragraph that explains the topic and gives a preview of the main points of the paper.
 Body-The body of the paper should be a well-organized and logically presented defense of
the hypothesis or thesis. Be sure to include anecdotes and examples to support the major
points. Precise information derived from research should be appropriately paraphrased or
directly quoted. This portion of the paper should be a minimum of 6 to 8 typed pages in a
doubled-spaced normal size font. Note that maps, graphs, pictures, bibliography and
footnotes are not counted in the 6 to 8 pages.
AP Human Geography Second Semester Research Paper
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 Conclusion-The conclusion is a summary of the main points that were addressed in the body
of the paper. The purpose of the conclusion is to demonstrate why the hypothesis or thesis
works or does not work.
 Appendices-The appendices are supplemental physical evidence that can not be included in
the body of the paper. Original maps, charts, graphs and photographs are appropriate items
to be included in the appendices. These items must be appropriate for the topic and
clearly labeled, and attributed.
 Footnotes-All statistics or facts that are not your original creation must be footnoted. Even if
you paraphrase material from a source, you must give credit to the original author. Footnotes
for paraphrased material should appear at the end of the paragraph. Direct quotes should be
footnoted immediately after the quote.
 Bibliography-All works used must be included in the bibliography at the end of the paper.
Sources should be alphabetized according to the author’s last name. A full entry should
include the author’s full name, title of the book, location of publishing company, publishing
company’s name and the date of publication. A minimum of five sources that include a
variety of books, periodicals, interviews, documents and appropriate web sites should be
used. Do not rely on the Internet for all of your sources.
Point Totals
Introduction
Body
Summary
Appendices
Footnotes
Bibliography
Total
20 points
120 points
20 points
20 points
10 points
10 points
200 points
Late Papers
Late papers will be penalized 10 points per day including non-school attendance days.
This project is due on
____________________________________________
You must submit the proposal form by ______________________________________
Revised 2007
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Name_________________________
AP Human Geography Research Assignment Grade Sheet
____ Title Page
On Time_____
_____ Rough Draft (-5 if no rough draft with handwritten corrections)
_____ Introduction (20 points)
Clearly states thesis or hypothesis
Overview of proof included in the body
_____Body (120 points)
includes substantial analysis
well written with few or no errors
evidence of substantial research
good use of quotes as evidence
_____ Conclusion (20 points)
review of main points of evidence
_____Appendices (20 points)
appropriate use and number
_____Footnotes (10 points)
correct format
correct usage
adequate number
_____Bibliography (10 points)
correct format
adequate number
appropriate variety
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Name___________________________
AP Human Geography Research Project Proposal
This proposal is due __________________ The project is due__________________
General Topic
________________________________________________________________________
Specific Thesis or Hypothesis
______________________________________________________________________
Tentative Sources
Books
Title
Location
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Journals/Periodicals
Title of Magazine and article
Location
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Web sites
full address
author or source
date accessed
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
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AP Human Geography Second Semester Research Topics
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