The proposed topic for my research paper for History 598 is an examination of the origins of the battlefield parks in the United States with particular attention being paid to the development of the Gettysburg battlefield park dedicated primarily to the Union and the later addition of the Chickamauga battlefield park focusing primarily on Confederate troops.

After the Petrine reforms of the eighteenth century, Russia's identity as either "European", "Asiatic", or "Euroasian" became subject to debate. The general consensus led to a belief that it was the Urals which naturally divided Russia into East and West; prior to this other landmarks had been designated in this way, for example, the Don River. I hope to explore this theme, highlighting the geographical features which defined and indeed divided Russia, while supplementing my research with written excerpts from writers and visual excerpts from artists which depict these landscape features, as well as each artist's individual notion of this "East vs. West" phenomenon, a debate which exists to this very day in Russia.

My research project topic is on the landscape of Mycenaean Greece. I am focusing on how the landscape can be used to learn about their culture, specifically their religion.

To research and write on the effects the atomic bomb had on the landscape of Hiroshima, and the redevelopment of the city after its devastation.

In regards to the research project, my topic of interest is the land-man relationship of trench warfare in world war I, particularly their usefulness and effectiveness.

I will write on the forces behind, and the impact of, the construction of Interstate Highways in the Center City of Columbus in the late 1950's. The bulk of the discussion will be on the actual facts surrounding the program (I have been unable to unearth some cool demographic maps, and should be able to find some newspaper articles), but I am also interested in describing the values inherent in the highways, and the values inherent in the neighborhoods that were disrupted by their presence. The actual argumentation and focus of the paper will evolve as I unearth more sources.

I'm doing a project/paper on how the landscape of Vietnam affected the conduct of the war there and how the conflict of the War in Vietnam affected Vietnam's landscape.

For my topic, I will be looking at the ancient Egyptians. Specifically, I will be looking at how their world view and religion influenced how, where, and why they built some of their massive projects.

My main idea or tentative topic in its rawest form is to examine the Hawaiian island of Maui. I feel Maui is a prime example of a landscape that has been drastically altered physically, culturally, and socially. In order to investigate these changes I will be focusing mainly on the role that the tourism industry has played, plays, and will play on the development, growth, and economy of Maui. More issues tied to the development, growth, and economy that the tourism industry provides are equally important concerns involving the well-being of the native plants, animals, and culture. I also plan to use a compare and contrast approach to draw similarities and differences between the decisions that Maui faces with those that Honolulu has faced as well as other tourism-driven societies have faced.

I intend to research the interstate system and the effects it has had on the United States geographically as well as its effect on American popular culture in the mid to late 20th century, starting with Dwight D. Eisenhower's proposal of the Interstate Highway Act in 1956 to the present day.

I want to do my research project on how the landscaped played a role in where and how castles were built in medieval times.

I plan on researching how the different landscapes of New England and the Chesapeake shaped the futures of not only their areas and residents, but our country as a whole. It is my contention that the different landscapes and climates produced completely different societies and customs within a fairly small country.

I would like to do my paper on something to do with the military, since that is the only thing I am really schooled in. Maybe something either dealing with how trench warfare used the land. Or in Vietnam how the North Vietnamese used tunnels carved out of the land to defeat the Vietnamese, and the Americans. Or maybe how the Italians used the land to help defend their new style castles, "trace Italienne".

I intend to investigate the conflicting views over the ownership and ideal use of the Southeast region of the United States during the political ascent and Presidency of Andrew Jackson. This conflict, between white Americans and the native inhabitants of the region culminated in the removal of the Cherokee nation of Native Americans known as the "Trail of Tears." By examining the views of President Jackson and other statesmen of the time I hope to gain an understanding of Americans’ idea of proper use of this land. I intend to reveal that Jackson’s and others’ view of the Native American as "savage" is largely based on the natives’ apparent inability to cultivate the earth and turn it to his advantage. I also plan to examine recorded statements of the Cherokees and surrounding tribes on how they viewed the land and how their religion was incorporated into their view of their environment. To the native, the land he lived in was considered sacred and blessed, which weighed heavily on his decisions on how to utilize the landscape. After both viewpoints are examined, the landscape and how it should be utilized will emerge as the central priority behind the historic event of the Cherokee removal.