1. First, your specialization represents an important step towards "breaking up" this gigantic field of Economic Geography into component parts or into different "PERSPECTIVES" thereby bringing Geog.207 closer to your own particular interests and sharing the diversity of specializations among peers.

2. Secondly, it is supposed to provide you with a special area of expertise from which you want to draw your own practical examples for concepts and theories covered in class. Thus, your specialization will help you to understand general approaches taken in class.

   Thirdly, here is an opportunity to "apply" what you have learned or know already, to develop some imagination and entrepreneural initiative, and to "create" and present your own product.

3. Fourth, it is based on the belief that learning at all levels has to occur as an active and interactive process, involving experiences based both on your own initiatives and on the interaction with peers and resource persons.

4. Finally, gaining familiarity with Internet and Library search procedures belongs to the objectives of Geography 207. Some Resources are provided for your convenience and to get you started. However, these references to Internet sites and library resources may not be the most appropriate for the particular way in which you and your group may want to approach the "theme" for your new-course application and its individual components.

You will join one of 15 groups based on your interests. You may join one additional groups as an "associate" if your interest in the group's topic or your ability to contribute to a group's objectives justify that. In addition, any group may subcontract certain project functions to non-members if the group lacks specialized (optional) skills. Two groups may also form a "strategic alliance" or engage in other forms of inter-group relations if the resulting learning environment is thereby enhanced. There will be ample opportunity provided in class and Lab to meet other students, explore their interests and test your group compatibility. The selection process for groups can start any time during the first four weeks and will be finalized during the fifth week, i.e. after "Bootcamp".