This is part of a 3-PART SERIES OF ASSIGNMENTS on the SAME topic. Assignment #1
This is part of a 3-PART SERIES OF ASSIGNMENTS on the SAME topic. Assignment #1 – the Bibliography (submitted Week 3). Assignment #2 – the Outline – is due Week 5. Assignment #3 – the Final Presentation – is due Week 7. You’re building this project throughout all three Assignments, using the same or similar topic.
For this project, you’ll choose a topic and then research how four geographic concepts are related to and affect your topic. Instead of presenting your research as a traditional paper, you’ll use PowerPoint to create a narrated presentation. Your presentation will be structured like a paper, including a title, introduction to the topic, main body, summary and conclusions, and references. Creative use of properly cited graphics and photos from the Internet relevant to your topic is required.
First, choose a topic! Topics must be a food item, cuisine, invention, or idea with a SUPER CLEAR REGION OF ORIGIN. Do some investigation of the 4 required elements (see below) before you settle on one topic. If you’re not sure if your desired topic is appropriate, please feel free to ask!
Your topic must be analyzed through these 4 required elements to determine how each of these geographic concepts affects or is related to your topic: 1. Regions 2. Cultural Landscape 3. Diffusion 4. Distance decay. The first two concepts are covered in the first chapter of your textbook. Diffusion is covered in Chapter 8, Section 2. Distance decay refers to the fact that influence and interaction between locations decreases as the distance between them increases. As such, it has a significant influence on how things change as they diffuse away from their point of origin. Be sure to address these specific geographic terms and concepts in your work. You don’t need to address them in this order, but you do need to address all of them. You may use “subsets” of these definitions (e.g., contagious diffusion) if such subsets exist. Be sure to refer to your text and other reliable resources to ensure you completely understand these concepts. You should be detailed in your treatment of these concepts – for instance, you should explain both how and why your choice varies by region, and how and why it has been affected by distance decay. Remember that geography, as an academic discipline, seeks to explain why things vary from place to place, not just describe how they do.
Assignment #3 Objective: Develop an audio-narrated PowerPoint presentation based on the research you have conducted about your chosen topic. All APUS students have access to PowerPoint and the rest of Microsoft Office (for Windows or MacOS) as listed in the Course Guidelines & Resources page. NOTE: Students who are having difficulty completing the narration should contact the instructor as soon as possible.
Assignment Instructions: Using the course project steps completed to date, you will develop your presentation based on the work you submitted for Assignments 1 and 2 as well as the feedback you were given.
To prepare for this assignment, I recommend that you do the following:
Read these directions carefully.
Review the grading criteria below. The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to assess your performance. It also will help you understand what is expected of you as you prepare your assignment.
Message me with any questions!
Presentation requirements:
Your presentation will be submitted as an audio-narrated PowerPoint. It must be by you. You may not use text-to-speech technology to do the narration for you, unless noted in an approved accommodation from a current letter from DSA which you have provided to me. For instructions on how to create audio narration in PowerPoint, see the following link: Record a Slide Show With Narration. Audio narration is a requirement! Students who are having difficulty completing the narration should contact the instructor as soon as possible.
There must be both text (in concise phrases) and visual elements (e.g., photos, videos, graphs, figures). Since this is a geography class, you must include at least 2 relevant maps in your presentation.
Your presentation must contain approximately 10-15 slides (excluding references) and run approximately 5-10 minutes.
Less than 10% of your presentation should be direct quotes.
Proper use and pronunciation of geographic terminology are required.
Be sure to properly cite your work, both internal to the presentation as well as within the reference slide (this includes photos, graphs, figures, videos, etc.).
All references listed on the reference slide should be cited internally within the presentation, and vice versa.
The required elements: Your presentation should contain the following elements in the order listed below. Specific content for each section is detailed in Assignment 2: The Outline.
In addition, I expect that any feedback provided to you from Assignment 1: Annotated Bibliography and Assignment 2: The Outline be incorporated into this assignment. Please go back and review those comments.
Introduction – this section must contain your topic, why you chose your topic, and preview where your topic developed and diffused to.
Body (Content) – this section must contain examine how your topic relates to four geographic concepts: regions, cultural landscapes, diffusion and distance decay
Conclusion Slide – this section must contain four to six points that sum up the main topics of the presentation.
Reference Slide (and Internal Citations) – this section must contain the following:Internal citations – This is not just a separate section; rather, referencing should occur throughout the presentation via parenthetical citations anytime you paraphrase, make direct quotes, or use visual components from other sources. Please be sure to cite any language, images, videos, etc. in the presentation that should be cited.
Reference Slide – Your paper should also have a final reference slide listing at least 5 credible sources researched for your presentation.
Do not include your summary/evaluation from Assignment 1: Annotated Bibliography; simply list the references utilized in your presentation in APA format on the reference slide.
Additional Resources:
Presentation Tips and Guidelines
APA – In-Text Citations: The Basics
APA – Reference List: Basic Rules