COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

GUIDELINE ON PAPER WORK AND PRESENTATION

FOR FIRST YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR THE

COURSE GEOGRAPHY OF ETHIOPIA AND THE HORN

November, 2019
Gondar, Ethiopia

0|Page
1. BACKGROUND

Geography is the field that studies the place and relationship between people and their
environment. This discipline investigates the physical properties of the earth’s surface
and its features and human societies spread over it. This discipline covers human
interaction with the natural environment and the ways that location and places can have
impact on human life. Geography, apart from covering a vast syllabus, also demands
great focus and dedication from students for better understanding of the underlying
concepts. The theoretical assignments are meant to test the students’ ability to
comprehend and absorb the subject properly. If the students want to pursue their
academic career in geography, they need to keep pace with the recent geographical
problems, social and environmental justice, efficient, equitable and sustainable use of
resources and their relevant solution. These can be achieved by doing paperwork and
presenting the given assignments that help students to have effective answers to recent
geographical issues that human societies globally counter, documenting and trying to
explain the variations that exist on the earth’s surface, aware of the geographical
distribution of human settlements and modes of transport that influence the location of
towns and cities, geographical impact of human activities, natural features of the earth
and human culture and its impact on the earth, how the landscapes are formed over
time (geomorphology), how fluvial systems develop and the spatial distribution,
movements and characteristics of flora and fauna.

2. COMPONENTS OF THE TERM PAPER

Paper comprehension and presentation are important skills for students in higher
education institutions. Paper presentations will also introduce the class to a wide variety
of approaches that demonstrate their ability to apply their skills, knowledge and
understanding to a particular topic presented. The topic of the assignment may be

1|Page
linked to something you have studied in class, or you may choose to any relevant
Geographical topic or issue. It may be a physical or human topic, or a local, national or
global issue. It could also be a topic of personal interest, such as a geographical
development or change in your local area.

The total mark of the assignment worth’s 20%. The term paper should include the
following components with associated weights given in percentages:

• Neatness in writing (4%)

• Overall Format (Cover page, table of contents, introduction, body,
conclusion, and references) (4 %)
• Statement construction/ language (4%)
• Body of the report (6%)
• Conclusion (2 %)

3. OVERALL ASSESSMENT VALUE RANGES

The total amount of marks that is given for the group members are based on the
following standards

If the instructor gets the paper including the Mark weights remark
presentation (%)

Excellent ≥19

Very good 17-18.5

Good 15-16.5

Fair (satisfactory) 13-14.5

Poor <13

2|Page
4. NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER GROUP
The total number of students which are grouped in one team shall be 7 (seven), which
will be organized in alphabets.

5. THEMATIC AREAS OF THE PAPER WORK

5.1. Implications of Location of Ethiopia
5.2. Implications of the size and shape of Ethiopia
5.3. Endogenic processes and the resulting landforms
5.4. Exogenic processes and Forces, and the resulting landforms of Ethiopia
5.5. The importance of carbon dating Techniques
5.6. The Precambrian Era geologic processes
5.7. The Paleozoic Era geologic processes
5.8. The Mesozoic Era geologic processes
5.9. The Cenozoic Era geologic processes
5.10. Limestone resources of and potential sites Ethiopia
5.11. Metamorphic mineral resources and potential sites of Ethiopia
5.12. Gold mineral resources and potential sites of Ethiopia
5.13. Coal mineral resources and potential sites of Ethiopia
5.14. Petroleum resources and potential sites of Ethiopia
5.15. Construction material resources and potential sites of Ethiopia
5.16. Salt mineral resources and potential sites of Ethiopia
5.17. The western highlands and lowlands of Ethiopia
5.18. The rift valley of Ethiopia
5.19. The South eastern highlands of Ethiopia
5.20. the impacts of topography on the biophysical environment
5.21. the impacts of topography on Socioeconomic Conditions
5.22. Features of the western Ethiopian drainage system

3|Page
 5.23. Features of the southeastern drainage system
5.24. Features of the Rift Valley drainage system
5.25. Wetlands of Ethiopia
5.26. Water Resources Potentials and Development in Ethiopia
5.27. Spatial Distribution of climatic and natural vegetation in Ethiopia
5.28. Spatial Distribution of climatic and soil resources in Ethiopia
5.29. Spatial Distribution of climatic and wildlife resources in Ethiopia
5.30. Impacts of climate on population distribution in Ethiopia
5.31. Impacts of soil erosion on agricultural production
5.32. Agro-ecological Zones and farming system of Ethiopia
5.33. Impacts of Climate Change and Response Mechanisms in Ethiopia
5.34. Population Dynamics in Ethiopia: Fertility, Mortality and Migration
5.35. Impacts of mining sector on natural environment
5.36. Impacts of unsustainable fishing practices on fish resources of Ethiopia
5.37. Impacts of deforestation on forest resources of Ethiopia
5.38. Major features of agriculture system in Ethiopia
5.39. Spatiotemporal distribution of manufacturing industry development in
Ethiopia
5.40. Challenges and prospects of tourism development in Ethiopia

4|Page