Awesome article about Europe's Evil Twist on Christmas - click here (Smithsoanian Magazine)!

Questions to Ponder: So what kind of cultural diffusion is this? 

Expansion diffusion, contagious diffusion, stimulus diffusion or hierarchical diffusion?  Why so?

Is this more as a pop culture phenomenon or a revitalization of a folk cultural tradition?  How come?

Summarize this video - keep the summary linked to concepts and issues related to political geography.

What Geo-Card vocab words were used?

Pay close attention to the border portion of this video.  How might this complicate relations?

1. Firstly, does North Korea have nuclear weapons?  How do you think this impacts the world?

2. Describe the citizen's opinions of their leader, Kim Jong Il?

3. What types of things are not allowed in North Korea?  Why?

4. Why is there such a hatred for America in North Korea?

5. Why is the team accompanied at all times by a North Korean watcher?

6. What does the capital city, Pyongyang, look like?  Who gets to live in the city?

7. How did the government create the famine that took place in North Korea?

8. How is the average 7 year old boy's weigh and height differ in North Korea than in America? (These children are known as the "Stunted Generation")

9. What is the "Up Yours", theory the North Koreans follow?

10. What are some of the human rights that are violated in North Korea?

11. Finally, please write one paragraph ( 5 sentences minimum) of your reaction to this documentary of North Korea. Discuss things that surprised, stunned, angered, or confused you.

How Does the United Nations Work?

 Think enclaves, 2nd order enclaves, exclaves and many other key APHG terms.

This video covers tons of political geography.  Think about how a government might try to erase a competing culture and/or way of life.  Do you think China will be successful.

 What concepts does this video touch upon?  Think of the complexities and nuances of international cooperation when it comes to potential resources.  This video has massive implication when we begin Unit VI (Economic Geography).

Geographer Insight:  This interactive mapping activity is an excellent tool to understand the idea of redistricting in general and gerrymandering to be more specific.  The creation of a new congressional district, or the loss of an old one, affects every district around it, necessitating new maps. Even states not adding or losing congressional representatives need new district maps that reflect the population shifts within their borders, so that residents are equally repre­sented no matter where they live. This ritual carving and paring of the United States into 435 sovereign units, known as redistricting, was intended by the Framers solely to keep democracy’s electoral scales balanced. Instead, redistricting today has become a part of the political game—a way for elected leaders to entrench themselves in 435 impregnable garrisons from which they can maintain political power while avoiding demographic realities.  And how is gerrymandering a part of the previous (and always looming) shutdown?

Below this image is a video spoof requesting North Carolinians to vote for Jerry Mandering.  Definitely worth checking out!

This video succinctly explains the Gerrymandering practice and how it changes our political landscape. 

Vote Gerry Mandering is a spoof.  Does Gerry Mandering bring up some good points?  

 How Many Countries Are There?

Why do you think this is done?  Do you think this acts as a centrifugal force or a centripetal force?  It is clearly 1 over the other.  Why?