1. Much of Western Europe is very similar to New England in the U.S. in terms of physical geography. Why do you think this is the case in terms of rocks and other surface features? What geologic hazards threaten Europe and why?

PART I: MAP ACTIVITY

Use the map below to identify all numbered areas.

PART II: SHORT ESSAY

Please answer the following question in a 1-2 page short essay using APA Format.  Please be sure to use the course readings and/or other outside documented research to support all of your ideas, facts, and opinions.

Pick any individual country in Europe and then describe and explain its individual physical, historical, economic, political, cultural/human, and religious/spiritual geography.  How and why is it different than the countries it borders?  What future challenges do you see for this country?  Have you ever visited this country before?  Would you like to if you have not?  Why or why not? 

PART III: GEOGRAPHY JOURNAL

Task #1.  Please utilize LIRN (you may visit the Academic Resource Center for a guide on how to utilize LIRN successfully) and search for one peer reviewed research article that covers any of the following:

• evaluate the development of the first civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome.

• examine the evolution of modern Europe in spatial context and its impact on the world.

• demonstrate the rise of European unification in terms of the economic, political, and cultural issues that drive this process.

• describe the forces that are shaping 21st century Europe and its changing population.

• discuss the concept of the “European core” in western Europe and analyze the present and future role of the core countries in the unification of Europe.

• compare the differences between the regional components of the British Isles and the reasons behind them.

• describe how core-periphery contrasts shape the geography of the Mediterranean Basin, the Western Balkan Peninsula, and Europe’s Northern domain.

• analyze the post-Soviet evolution of states formerly behind the iron curtain and their responses to the challenge of peripheral location.

Then write a 1-2 page review/reaction/reflection paper describing that article using APA format (please visit the Academic Resource Center for a concise guide on APA format).  Be sure to include the following:

• Goals/Objectives: What is the purpose of the article?  What does it attempt to solve, determine, or demonstrate?

• Data: Which data are assessed or analyzed to determine if the goals/objectives are met?

• Methods: What specific methodology is used to analyze the data in the context of the goals?

• Analysis/Conclusion: What resulted from methods being applied to the data?  What do the author(s) conclude from the analysis or how do they interpret the analysis/results?

Your critical review of the article must include the following:

• Assessment: Were the goals and objectives clearly stated?  Did the goals match the methods and results?  Was the article easy to follow?

• Importance: What, in your view, is the importance of this research?  What impactdoesknowing this have on geography?

• Improvement: What, if anything, could the author(s) have done to improve the article?

• Reaction: What is your opinion of the research conducted?

Task #2.  For Modules 2-8, you will reflect on the specific region and then will turn in your complete work (for Modules 2-8) at the completion of Module 8.  You will only turn in a rough draft of your Task #2 work in this module’s homework assignment.

Please write a 1-2 page reflection paper on how the physical, economic, political, historical, and cultural/human geography of the European region or realm would impact you if you lived there.  You can compile this as a document, PowerPoint Presentation, or even create an online blog (please ask instructor).  You can also set this up as a diary with daily entries.  Be creative.