Doing an Honors Project in Geography

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Doing an Honors Project in Geography is an excellent way to learn more about the field itself and offers the student an opportunity to focus on a particular subject of special interest.  The intent of the Honors curriculum is to provide an atmosphere for learning where in-depth discussion and exploration of a topic are central while working closely one-on-one with a Faculty Advisor.  Doing Honors work also serves as a way to recognize outstanding achievement via the presentation of the student's work during Honors Colloquium Week.

Left:  Stacy Johnson is a little nervous before giving her Honors Colloquium, 1 May 2003.  
She overcame her fears in front of a packed house and gave an excellent presentation entitled,
"The Invisible Empire Unveiled: A Geography of the Ku Klux Klan."

Eligibility:
Cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above and a major field GPA of 3.3 or above; OR
Cumulative GPA below 3.3 but a major field GPA of 3.5 or above plus strong recommendation from Instructor.
Student must successfully apply to the Honors Program and find a faculty member willing to work with them.

Course Sequence:
GEO 395  Independent Study
GEO 499  Honors Colloquium (prerequisite: GEO 395)

Recent geography honors projects advised by Dr. Bertolas:
2007 "A Company of Heroes: Easy Company Behind Enemy Lines” by Joseph Battiato
2007 “The Decline of Rural Northeast Nebraska: An Historical and Geographic Overview of Dixon County and Allen, Nebraska” by Gary Brownell
2007

“The Day After: Regional Effects of a Tectonic Eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera” by Christine Horner
2007 “A Comparative Geographic Study of Attitudes and Actions toward Recycling at Selected Midwestern Colleges and Universities” by Ashley Villarreal
2007 “Subterranean Beauties: Jewel Cave and Wind Cave” by Cara Watchorn
2006 "The Ogallala Aquifer: Critical Resource for Nebraska"  by Brian Bruckner
2006 “Glacier National Park: What if There Were No Glaciers?”  By Chris Lord
2006 “From Copenhagen to Elk Horn, Iowa: How Tourism Funds a Small Community”  by Seth Poldberg
2006 “The Whitetail Deer Impact on North Dakota’s Economy”  by Steve Walsh
2005
 "Changing Times, Changing Locations: The Diffusion of NASCAR in America." by Matt Pernicek
2005
 "Harmful Effects of Food Aid From the West: A Case Study of Somalia." by Josie Wolff
2005
 "200 Years of Map Making in the United States: From Lewis and Clark to Present Day." by Norman Small
2005
 "Fighting Back: An Analysis of Environmental Organization in Rural Nebraska." by Troxl Miner
2005
 "Historical Geography of the Sandhills." by Jill Zimmerman
2004
 "Rural Northeast Nebraska Communities: Still Viable in the New Millennium?" by Mary Bartak
2003
 "The Invisible Empire Unveiled: A Geography of the Ku Klux Klan." by Stacy Johnson

WSC Geography program area faculty would be happy to answer your questions.  E-mail them!
Dr. Randy Bertolas, Geography