Desperately seeking paper topic

**MusicalINTJ** · 05-19-2011, 12:48 PM

I need to select any geographic space and highlight a religion's interaction with it.

It needs to be a topic where there is plenty of information available to "research" it.

Any ideas?

**Ben12** · 05-19-2011, 01:10 PM

I don't know how a religion directly affects a "geographic space", but if you're looking for a region where there has been a lot of religious activity I would suggest a country in the middle east. A lot of those countries have a very expansive history whereas if you looked at the United States you have relatively little because we don't fight over our religions here.

**MusicalINTJ** · 05-19-2011, 01:14 PM

Studying the link between geography and religions is becoming quite cumbersome. I think it makes for a great paragraph in a GOG 101 textbook. Not great for an entire course...

But nonetheless, I could also focus on a region. I was actually originally going to focus on ancient city-states of Mesopotamia and the gods they were built for, but I discovered very little in research databases.

I could merely study the migration of one specific religion. I'd have to jazz it up with a sub-theme but maybe that could work.

**plotthickens** · 05-19-2011, 01:29 PM

Might be interesting to plot the take-overs of places of worship (it was a grove, then an altar, then a temple, then a mosque, etc etc etc) VS city centers or trade routes.

**MusicalINTJ** · 05-19-2011, 02:03 PM

I'm liking it. Can you think of any well-documented historical examples? My mind draws a blank.

**Nemesis** · 05-19-2011, 02:30 PM

The conflict over Kashmir between Indian Hindus and Pakistani Moslems. It's rich enough of a topic to get a huge amount of sources (both modern and historical), and it's also not one that many people will think of, so it will likely catch your prof's (or TA's) eye and net you some extra marks.

**MusicalINTJ** · 05-19-2011, 03:04 PM

this is perfect. broad enough to allow me to use my creativity to make the paper longer. specific enough for me to make clear geographic correlation.

and sufficiently notable.

thank you!

**plotthickens** · 05-19-2011, 03:15 PM

	Originally Posted by MusicalINTJ To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'm liking it. Can you think of any well-documented historical examples? My mind draws a blank.

Glad I found you something you like, but Nemesis' answer is wayyyy better.

**Imagineering** · 05-19-2011, 03:37 PM

Machu Pichu would be fun to research. I spelled that way wrong.

**Mogura** · 05-19-2011, 04:10 PM

The Kalasha tribe in Pakistan. They are pagans in an Islamic republic. I think that their extreme isolation (geography) is probably one of the reasons why they have been able to practice their religion freely for so long...

**Autumnleaf** · 05-20-2011, 10:23 AM

Istanbul's not Constantinople... I guess its not Byzantium either.

**Contemplative** · 05-20-2011, 10:45 AM

If you're looking for something more local (U.S.), you could look at the Deep South's interaction with organized religion, especially Southern Baptist. Southern US probably has one of the highest church per capita ratios in the world.

Another possibility is England's connection with the Anglican Church. From what I understand, England's head of state is actually head of the religion. The church originated largely because Henry VIII needed an heir.

**Nonsuch** · 05-20-2011, 12:29 PM

	Originally Posted by Autumnleaf To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Istanbul's not Constantinople... I guess its not Byzantium either.

Yeah, I second the motion.

It was the heart of Christianity for a while, then the heart of Orthodox Christianity for many centuries, and then finally got 'converted' to Islam by force of arms.

Lots of history there.

**Weltschmerzer** · 05-20-2011, 01:43 PM

If you go with Constantinople, be sure to mention the Hagia Sophia.

**MusicalINTJ** · 05-20-2011, 01:52 PM

I am leaning towards Kashmir. I know virtually nothing on the subject and stand to learn something from it.

Thank you all.

05-19-2011, 12:48 PM	#1
MusicalINTJ Member [16%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 678	I need to select any geographic space and highlight a religion's interaction with it. It needs to be a topic where there is plenty of information available to "research" it. Any ideas?
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05-19-2011, 01:10 PM	#2
Ben12 Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 90	I don't know how a religion directly affects a "geographic space", but if you're looking for a region where there has been a lot of religious activity I would suggest a country in the middle east. A lot of those countries have a very expansive history whereas if you looked at the United States you have relatively little because we don't fight over our religions here.
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05-19-2011, 01:14 PM	#3
MusicalINTJ Member [16%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 678	Studying the link between geography and religions is becoming quite cumbersome. I think it makes for a great paragraph in a GOG 101 textbook. Not great for an entire course... But nonetheless, I could also focus on a region. I was actually originally going to focus on ancient city-states of Mesopotamia and the gods they were built for, but I discovered very little in research databases. I could merely study the migration of one specific religion. I'd have to jazz it up with a sub-theme but maybe that could work.
MusicalINTJ is offline post a comment

05-19-2011, 01:29 PM	#4
plotthickens Core Member [677%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 27,098	Might be interesting to plot the take-overs of places of worship (it was a grove, then an altar, then a temple, then a mosque, etc etc etc) VS city centers or trade routes.
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05-19-2011, 02:03 PM	#5
MusicalINTJ Member [16%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 678	I'm liking it. Can you think of any well-documented historical examples? My mind draws a blank.
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05-19-2011, 02:30 PM	#6
Nemesis Core Member [307%] MBTI: XXXX Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 12,281	The conflict over Kashmir between Indian Hindus and Pakistani Moslems. It's rich enough of a topic to get a huge amount of sources (both modern and historical), and it's also not one that many people will think of, so it will likely catch your prof's (or TA's) eye and net you some extra marks.
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05-19-2011, 03:04 PM	#7
MusicalINTJ Member [16%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 678	this is perfect. broad enough to allow me to use my creativity to make the paper longer. specific enough for me to make clear geographic correlation. and sufficiently notable. thank you!
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05-19-2011, 03:37 PM	#9
Imagineering Member [46%] MBTI: xxxx Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,845	Machu Pichu would be fun to research. I spelled that way wrong.
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05-19-2011, 04:10 PM	#10
Mogura Core Member [176%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7,067	The Kalasha tribe in Pakistan. They are pagans in an Islamic republic. I think that their extreme isolation (geography) is probably one of the reasons why they have been able to practice their religion freely for so long...
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05-20-2011, 10:23 AM	#11
Autumnleaf Core Member [234%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 9,399	Istanbul's not Constantinople... I guess its not Byzantium either.
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05-20-2011, 10:45 AM	#12
Contemplative New Member [01%] MBTI: INTX Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 62	If you're looking for something more local (U.S.), you could look at the Deep South's interaction with organized religion, especially Southern Baptist. Southern US probably has one of the highest church per capita ratios in the world. Another possibility is England's connection with the Anglican Church. From what I understand, England's head of state is actually head of the religion. The church originated largely because Henry VIII needed an heir.
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05-20-2011, 01:43 PM	#14
Weltschmerzer Member [20%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 817	If you go with Constantinople, be sure to mention the Hagia Sophia.
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05-20-2011, 01:52 PM	#15
MusicalINTJ Member [16%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 678	I am leaning towards Kashmir. I know virtually nothing on the subject and stand to learn something from it. Thank you all.
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