In his seminal work, The Columbian Exchange, historian Alfred Crosby emphasizes
the post-contact exchanges of plants, animals, and humans between the Old World
and the New. "The differences," Crosby writes, "between the life forms of the
two worlds have amazed [humans] ever since 1492." Various chapters in his book
focus on Old World species brought to the New and New World species that were
introduced successfully to Europe, Africa, and Asia.
For Thursday, March 23rd, you'll prepare a three-page summary essay and a two-minute
oral report. Both will show what you've discovered and documented about a specific
resource--animal, vegetable, or mineral--which South America has supplied to the
larger world. Some of the resources (e.g., gold, quinine) will have been more
important in the past than they are today. Other resources (e.g., bauxite) will
have become more important in recent decades. Some resources such as mineral ores
and native animals will be umambiguously "native" to South America. Other resources
(e.g., coffee, soybeans, cattle) will have thrived after introduction, early or
late, to the continent.
The summary essay will be typed with double spacing and standard margins and will
include specific reference to at least two data sources other than class lectures
and handouts. One of the three pages should be devoted to a graphic display--
maps, charts--that illustrates important geographic patterns of production.
The oral presentation will highlight general findings (one minute) and a specific
pattern or example of geographic interest (one minute). Please illustrate your oral
report with one appropriate transparency--a map or chart showing an important or
interesting geographic pattern. Please note that the same graphics you use for the
oral report may be included, if appropriate, as part of the required graphics page
in the written submission.
To insure coverage of as many South American resources as possible I'll circulate
a list of possibilities in class. Please express an interest in pursuing research
on a particular resource by initialing the list. The sign-up is a tentative commit-
ment only. You may change your mind as your success with and interest in the topic
warrants. I do request that you keep me informed of changes so that I can suggest
books, articles, and websites of interest.
After selecting a resource from the list circulating in class, consider questions
relevant to your research:
Does the resource occur naturally in South America? If the resource is
a cultigen or a domesticate did its domestication occur in South America?
If the resource--an economically important plant or animal, for example--
was introduced to the continent, when and under what circumstances did
that introduction occur? How has production or exploitation of the
resource changed over time? How has South America's importance as a
producer (or of individual countries as producers) changed over time?
What patterns of physical and human geography have resulted from or been
influenced by the production or exploitation of the resource? How has
control over the production or exploitation of the resource changed
with time and with different political, economic, and social regimes.
How important is South America's production of the resource today?
On Thursday, March 2nd, be prepared to discuss your progress on the Resources
report in class.
GEOGRAPHY 122B: Syllabus Schedule Links
This page was updated 02-14-06
