Short Paper E:  

Topic:  Topics in Economic Geography-2-3 pages

(ALL CHOICES are required to INCLUDE 2 MAPS and read Chapter 12, Economic Geography)

(Four choices-choose one to write about) 

1.  Sources:  Watch Coded Bias and read the Chapter on Ethnicity.

Prompt:   How is AI an issue in Economic Geography? How do different global cultures perceive AI (artificial intelligence)- as presented in this documentary? What has AI done to landscapes and the way people interact with their environments? What important issues does this documentary raise? 

2. Sources:  Watch 13^th Via Netflix and also carefully read Chapter 8, as well as Chapter 12, in the text.

 (This is a difficult topic for many people for a variety of reasons, although I recommend you review the material even if you choose not to write about it) 

Prompt:  How is the system of Incarceration an issue in Economic Geography?  What is 13^th referring to?  What important societal questions are posed in the film and in the text. There should be some discussion on the importance of location and how this industry has contributed to the creation of landscapes in the regions/areas discussed.

3. Sources: In addition to Chapter 12- You may identify 3-5 media, internet, and news sources about the nature of currency- specifically cryptocurrency.   From 2016- watch critically: 

Prompt:  In your essay explain:

• • What is meant by money and currency (include things like commodity standards/precious metals, government/fiat currencies, barter economies, local/community currencies, real estate, real-goods- such as food)? How you would compare and contrast traditional 20^th C ideas about money to the idea behind cryptocurrency?
  • Is it different/represented by different cultures, in different regions?
  • Why is crypto considered to be bad for the environment? 
  • Why are some billionaire players able to wield disproportionate influence? 
  • Why is crypto disruptive?
  • How does it really work? 
  • What does it represent? 
  • Why are some governments taking steps to control, regulate or stop crypto?
  • How do you explain crypto to other people?

4. Sources: Watch: via Netflix; Broken Episode: Recycling Sham. This episode offers a concise summary of the economics of single use plastics and the encompassing catastrophe of pollution from these materials.

Read: In addition to Chapter 12 please read/listen to these articles: 

Prompt: discuss the following questions:

• What are the economics behind this situation? 
• What countries export used items? What countries import used items?
• Why are environmentalists so concerned about this issue?
• Are there potential solutions?
• Are there additional questions you would pose?