Inside America Web Site
©by Wayne Hayes, Ph.D., ®ProfWork
profwork@yahoo.com
March 11, 2001
Recall that the essay on Joel Garreau’s Nine Nations of North America counts 13.3 points toward your final grade. I expect a double-spaced essay of about five to six pages on April 23, 2001. Here’s how to approach the assignment.
The back cover of the book contains this quote:
Traditional boundaries are fast becoming meaningless. Instead, the people of North America are beginning to act like citizens of nine separate nations. Each nation has its own web of power and influence, its own economy, and its own self-interested plans for getting whatever it needs from whomever has it.
Garreau elaborates by referencing food, energy, land, and political power on the national scene. He presents vivid portraits of how each nation, or region, operates. So should you in your essay. In other words, explain Garreau using your own words.
As you respond, please try to interpret Garreau without a mere region-by-region description. Rather, attempt to compare and contrast the regions. Show me that you have understood the book, its theme, and its perspective.
I will grade your essay on two criteria, depth and content. Depth assesses how thoughtful your essay presents the material. Content relates to how informative your essay is.
We will discuss the book in class. I invite you to ask questions, engage in discussion, and contribute insights. I hope that you enjoy this assignment and learn much from doing it.