This research assignment is designed to challenge the student to be creative (rare in undergraduate work!) as well as demonstrate subject matter knowledge. You are also challenged to learn a new skill/practice an existing skill in applying PowerPoint (or OpenOffice) software to your research.

You will not find the "answer" for this assignment in the text or any other single location - this is an integrative assignment that requires you, the student, to create your presentation template and apply your own knowledge on the assigned topic. 

You MUST stick to the topic - projects turned in that are not on the topic will not be considered for grading.

Please create a 12-15 slide (to approximate a 15 minute spoken presentation) PowerPoint presentation discussing the way that the following geographic concepts:

1. Regions (a large area of a country or of the world, usually without exact limits)
2. Diffusion (The process of diffusing or the condition of being diffused and/or The spread of linguistic or cultural practices or innovations within a community or from one community to another)
3. Cultural landscape (the study of the impact of human culture on the landscape)
4. Distance decay (The various degenerative effects of distance on human spatial structures and interactions)


You have a choice to what your topic can be:
You can either choose a food item or cuisine as your topic and relate them to the geographic concepts above. OR You can choose to relate the geographic concepts to music.
Be sure to address these SPECIFIC geographic terms and concepts. You may use "subsets" of these definitions (e.g. contagious diffusion) if such subsets exist. Be sure to refer to your text and glossary to ensure you completely understand these concepts.

Be sure to present clear citations and mature work. Make the most of each slide to show effective communication - one of APUS's primary learning objectives for all students in all classes (see syllabus for detail).

This exercise will require some research on your part and you are to use legitimate sources. You may not use Wikipedia or other "wiki" sites and you may not use encyclopedias - those are to be abandoned after high school!

If you do not have access PPT, please use OpenOffice.org.prx.proxywebsite.co.uk or contact me immediately.

The exercise has three components: 1) show you are very familiar with the topic; 2) become familiar with PowerPoint software as everyone uses it in business these days, and ;3) express your knowledge in a presentation format - efficient and understandable, captivating for your audience.