Spatial Manifestations of Christian-Muslim Relations in Damascus and Aleppo, Syria

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Joey Leavitt and Dr. Chad Emmett, Geography Syria’s unique geographic location places it at both the epicenter of ancient Christianity’s advent and the heart of the modern Islamic Middle East. This rich and diverse religious history is evident today in Syria’s population. Although the majority of Syrians are Muslim, a sizable minority of between 10% […]

A Tree Ring Analysis comparing Tree Rings at Two Elevations to Precipitation and Temperature to find the Dominant Limiting Factor, at Snowbird Utah

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Brian Latta and Dr. Matthew F. Bekker, Geography The objective of this case study is to determine which limiting factor is most dominant in controlling tree growth at Snowbird, Utah. Trees typically respond and grow to a variety of factors. Some of these factors are precipitation, temperature, competition, soil moisture, soil depth, and disturbances. The […]

Changing Agricultural Land Use in Suzhou, China

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Emily J. Long and Dr. Richard H. Jackson, Geography China’s recent economic boom has brought many changes to its urban and rural landscape. Urban communities are growing larger and are often encroaching upon important agricultural land. The city of Suzhou provides a prime case study of the effects that development can have on once fertile […]

Suzhou Urban Developments and Economic Growth The Impact of Special Economic Zones and the Light Rail System

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Songjie Li and Dr. Richard Jackson, Geography Suzhou, China is an ancient Chinese city facing rapid and wrenching changes. Located in the Delta of the Yangtze River some fifty miles northwest of Shanghai, it is famous for its classical gardens and numerous canals that connect to the famous Grand Canal and Tai Lake. Suzhou is […]

Vietnamese Migration to Cambodia

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Kyle Larsen and Dr. Chad Emmett, Geography Vietnamese migration to Cambodia is unique because, unlike most immigrants who seek sanctuary in a nation more economically and socially stable countries, the Vietnamese in Cambodia face many worse conditions than in Vietnam. In many ways, Cambodia is much less-developed than Vietnam in terms of GDP, literacy, poverty […]

Shack Settlement Planning and Public Participation: Duncan Village, South Africa

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David Kay and Dr. Richard Jackson, Geography Over the last ten years, government programs have facilitated the redevelopment of many South African communities; however, for many the promise of redevelopment has been elusive. In 2002, there were an estimated 8 million people living in shack settlements in South Africa. From 1994 to 2004, the government […]

Russian Orthodox Churches in the Century of Change: How the Soviets Affected National Identity

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Jennifer Johnson and Dr. Richard Jackson, Professor of Geography As a missionary in Russia, I was always told: To be Russian is to be Orthodox. What does it mean to be Russian after seventy years of Soviet rule, when atheism was religiously enforced? Walking down the streets and passing Orthodox churches in dilapidated condition, I […]

Principles of Family-Centered City Planning Achieving True Mixed-Income Housing in New Urbanist Developments

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David Gray and Dr. Richard Jackson, Geography New Urbanism, or traditional neighborhood design (TND), is a growing trend in American real estate development. It is characterized by mixed-uses, a variety of housing sizes, and pedestrian-oriented streetscapes. It often encourages more efficient land uses, which, in turn, makes way for better transportation planning and less congested […]

A Climate Reconstruction and Drought Assessment of the Wasatch Front

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Daniel F. Bently and Dr. Matthew F. Bekker, Geography The purpose of this study was to extend the climate record of the Wasatch Front Area in order to assess drought along the Wasatch Front. In order to accomplish this, tree-ring analysis was done using Limber Pine (Pinus flexilus) trees from the rocky, north face of […]