For the Environment Writing 319 Course Spring 2006

• Project Directives
  This project focuses on two main areas of geographic interest. First, regionalization; defining what a region is and then developing a region into a study area. This process sets the tone for establishing an area based on real parameters and specific limits decided upon by the researchers. Setting the regional scope of the project demands an understanding beforehand of the character of the region and specific rationale that sets that character. Additionally it requires the researchers to derive parameters by inquiry and continued study of the area, setting the stage for further personal discoveries.
  
  The next directive for the course makes the assumption that as the researchers investigate the region and continue looking at what defines it, they will encounter hidden zones, territories, enclaves, and nodes within the area that open new avenues of understanding the region and further research. This process further reinforces the collective and connective nature of the region. This process should motivate the abilities and skills of the researcher to synthesize together what seems to be disjunct components into a cogent whole.
  
• Project Goals
  To define a study region within what is considered perceptually to be The Columbia Gorge .
  To discover the connectiveness of systems within the region.
  To define and overview human/economic systems within the scope of Primary, Secondary and Tertiary production.
  To present the region as a cogent whole, connected to the Pacific Northwest, and especially Oregon, as a uniquely defined region.
  To engage researchers in additional studies that might be hidden within this region.
  
• Collective Assignment
  The class will formulate a set of rationale parameters based on the defining elements of the Columbia Gorge. This will take the form of a - limitation to the research area - statement. All the members of the research team will contribute to this process and final statement will be produced and presented by one of the researchers on the occasion of project presentation.
  
• Individual Assignments
  These assignments/projects will be produced in power point or some other technology-based presentation software and will include a hard copy and handout for consumers. Each assignment will be presented within a 45 minute format and cover components of the following outline: A. An introduction to the selected system of research; how does the system compare and contrast with similar systems outside the study area? B. A detailed discussion of the areal character of the system; how does the system fit regionally? Does it present some form of nodality? Does it represent a formal or informal enclave within the region? C. How the system contributes to the definition of the region; how is the system tied to the cultural landscape? What unique dimensions or dynamics does it exhibit? D. Statistical analysis; can the dynamic of the system be quantified? E. Closing; a summation of the above issues.
  
  The presentations will incorporate images, maps, sounds, primary/secondary-based interviews, data, textual outlines and some form of interactive activity.
  
• Outcomes
  Researchers will present projects on the last day of classes.
  Potentially, a Saturday field trip will be schedule for one week of the quarter
  Ultimately the course research topics will be used in a teacher-based summer program using the research specialists from this course.
  
• Dates
  Meeting times: Meet personally with me on problems and project issues
  Presentations will be on the last day of class

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STUDENT SYSTEM ASSIGNMENTS

So far you have been prepared for your research assignments by the following activities and readings:

A. Discussion on the definition of regionalality and reading by SOPHER, D.: Geography of Religions. Englewood Cliffs, NJ,. Prentice Hall 1967. and Yi-Fu Tuan, Thought and Landscape from The Interpretation of Ordinary Landscapes.

B. A selection of readings from various articles covering general regional topics from the Journal of Geography for each researcher. These have included articles on: Forestry, Agriculture / Ranching, Transportation, Merchandising. Each article was presented as a writing model for researchers in this course. In general each paper is organized in the following manner: Introduction, Historical development of the system within the areal setting, discussion of processes, discussion of significance of the system. In simple terms these writings traditionally deal with: What is it, Where is it and What of if being where it is.

What needs to be completed:

A. In our discussion on regions we delineated the Columbia Gorge in Oregon by specific parameters. This study area must now be formally stated. Researchers should collectively put together a statement which includes components of the following and will be presented on the last day of class: Where is the Columbia Gorge? How has it been defined in the past? What parameters have these researchers set to define the CG based on what rationale?

B. Individual Projects: The Following are a list of project assignment for each researcher in the class. Remember to keep to the model, work as much as possible with others in the class so as not to cross over data, BE analytical and detailed become an expert on why the system you investigate is where it is at and what of it.