The Purpose: 

The purpose of this assignment is as follows:

• To allow you the opportunity to reflect upon the consequences of one of the great encounters in world history
• To engage in an online dialogue with a small group of your classmates, sharing opinions on a very controversial and complex topic
• More broadly, to understand and appreciate the geographical perspective in the history of North America.

The Issue:

Christopher Columbus’ encounter with the New World in 1492 set in motion an inevitable series of events that can never be reversed.  Alfred Crosby, in his classic book, The Columbian Exchange, suggests that the “trend toward biological homogeneity is one of the most important aspects of the history of life on this planet since the retreat of the continental glaciers."

The Assignment:

Below is a small selection of web sites that address this topic; there are many more that can be found with a quick Google search.

Alfred Crosby: The Columbian Exchange - Biological and Cultural Consequences of 1492 - This will allow you to read some sections from this classic book which has been recently reissued.
Palomar College – Course Page
Native Americans and the Land - short version of Crosby's work
The List – from Georgetown University
Plagues and Peoples - another classic that you will have to find on your own
The Crimes of Christopher Columbus - if you are determined not to like him, this will support you.
Kansas State Lecture on the topic
BBC Series

Your assignment is to inform yourself about the meaning, the nature of and the consequences of the Columbian Exchange. Then:

• Post an informal summary of your findings and your thoughts on the Discussion Board under the topic "The Columbian Exchange - Group #", something in the neighborhood of 250 words – no later than Friday midnight, October 10.
• Read and relect upon the postings of all your group members.
• Respond to the group as a whole about your thinking on the issue after having read the comments of others - an informal, "reflective response"; again, something on the order of 250 words – no later than Tuesday midnight, October 14.
• From there on, you may continue to discuss as much or as little as you choose.

Assessment:

You will be graded on the following:

• Puntuality and depth of reflective thinking
• Use of a minimum of at least three references in your initial posting, and the informal acknowledgement of these references.
• Quality and maturity of your writing.
  • Note 1:  I suggest that you write your essays in a word processing program, then cut-and-paste to the Discussion Board
  • Note 2:  Please note that the two parts of this assignment, both the initial posting and the reflective response are of equal importance.