GEOG 310
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CAPSTONE PROJECT: SECOND STEP ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
Household goods – it’s something we are all very familiar with and have to deal with on a daily
basis. If I asked you what some of your favorite household items were, you might tell me your
blender, Game Console, Smart TV, mixer, or even your bed. Have you ever stopped to think
about how your favorite items get to your home? How are they produced/manufactured? How
does your item get to the retailer? Why do you pick that item versus a competitor’s similar item?
Is there a strategy that makes you pick Sony over LG or Vitamix over Ninja? Why do you pick
items based upon their packaging?
The purpose of this project is to examine the spatial relationship of the manufacturing, exchange,
and cost of consumption of household goods. What are the spatial patterns of our favorite things?
How does a textile become a Pottery Barn Blanket? How does location play into cost?
This is your opportunity to work individually to learn about and explain the geographic reasons
for getting your favorite items to your doorstep.
INSTRUCTIONS
You will continue to work on content that will aid you in completing your project. Remember
that the goal of these assignments is to guide you through the research process that will allow
you to carry out the spatial analysis necessary to complete the project.
Step 2: Integration of Products into the Four Stages of Economic Activities.
For this assignment, you will examine how economic activities are spatially related and linked to
your choices in Part 1. Your economic analysis must be 750-1,250 words, use Times New
Roman 12-point font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins, include a cover page and a reference
page. Cite at least five (5) scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook and Wikipedia) in
current APA format.
Use the following required main section headings when writing your paper. You may include
subheading as needed.
I. Introduction
II. Primary Activities
III. Secondary Activities
IV. Tertiary Activities
V. Quaternary Activities
VI. Summary
VII. References
Hint: Chapter 8 in your Bjelland is a helpful place to begin your integration of products into the
four stages of Economic Activities.
Introduction: Introduce your products from Part 1. Why did you pick them? What makes them
unique? Incorporate any geographical terms that you have learned from the term.
GEOG 310
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Primary Activities: Where does your product begin? Take apart your product and examine the
primary resources. Is your product food? Where the apple start? Do your products have to be
hunted, gathered, grazed, fished, or mined? Where do they come from? Do the primary resources
come from a different region in the world? Examine the extraction process of the beginning
stages of your products. How do your products differ during the primary activity? How are they
the same?
Secondary Activities: Once your products are extracted or grown, how do they become a
commodity? How do they become something tangible? Compare and contrast each product
during this stage.
Tertiary Activities: How are the items sold? Where are they sold? What services are used to the
business and to the individual? Are they sold in wholesale or retail? What type of business
services are needed to have the products reach the consumer? Compare and Contrast each
product during this stage.
Quaternary Activities: What research, information, or administration is required for your
products to sell? Examine the research and development activity of each product.
