A. Territorial Dimensions of Politics
- The concept of territoriality
- The nature and meaning of boundaries.
- Influences of boundaries on identity, interaction, and exchange
- Federal and unitary states
- Spatial relationships between political patterns & patterns of ethnicity, economy, & environment
B. Evolution of the contemporary political pattern
- The nation-state concept
- Colonialism and imperialism
- Democratization
C. Changes and challenges to political–territorial arrangements (governance)
- Changing nature of sovereignty
- Fragmentation, unification, alliance
- Supranationalism and devolution
- Electoral geography, including gerrymandering
- Terrorism (War and Conflict)
Favorite Specific Resources for the Unit:
- Book Review: What Sex Means for World Peace
- NCSS Teacher Resources: War and Terrorism
- Movie: Ghosts of Rwanda
- Devolution: A Beginners Guide (U.K. example)
- Failed States Index
- 2008 Election Maps
- Video: Defining an Independent Nation
- Insecure Space and Precarious Geographies
- The relationship between political corruption and development
