Extra Credit Assignment:

You may earn up to 5 points on your final grade by answering at most two of the following questions in essay format.  Each essay is to be 400 - 600 words (2 - 3 type written pages, font size 10, double space, 1" margins) asking for your opinion on various subjects that we have addressed throughout class.  Your opinion should be backed up by strong evidence (geographic, historical, etc.) that we have discussed or you have discerned through our discussions or your independent research. 

Grading format

Each essay is worth 2.5 points towards your final grade.  You may do 2 essays which could raise your final grade up to 5 points.  For example if your final calculated grade is an 88 and you have earned 4 points from the extra credit, your final grade would be a 92.  Essays will be graded on the following scale from 0 - 2.5. 

Answer the following with a 400 - 600 word essay using

1)  What is your opinion of the situation in the Middle East?  Do you feel that it can be rectified? By whom?

2)  The countries of Azerbaijan and Armenia have enclaves and exclaves.  These are areas that are separated from the main part of the country.  Briefly explain why  and under what circumstances portions of these countries are situated within the other. 

3)  Briefly describe the situation in Northern Ireland from a geography standpoint.  Based on what you have seen, do you think that Northern Ireland should become a part of Ireland?

4)  Singapore has prospered as one of the richest countries in southeast Asia, despite being a small city - state.  Briefly explain how Singapore has economically prospered in the last 20 years.

5)  Briefly explain the situation with Chechnya.  What is it and why do you think it hasn't gained independence from Russia like many other republics did in the early 1990's.