Dr. Michael Hawkins is an Assistant Professor of Geography.  He has been at the Ball State since 1999.  His research interests are in tourism, cultural landscapes, and ethnicity (Latin America and Caribbean).  His most recent publications appear in Contemporary Ethnic Geographies in America (2006), Human Geography (2005), and the Southeastern Geographer (2002).  He has two publications currently in review that will appear in Historical Geography and Geographical Review. His most frequently taught classes include Geography of the Cultural Environment, Tourism Systems, and Geography of Latin America & the Caribbean. He is the TEPASC Committee Representative for the Department and the Social Studies Education Coordinator for Geography.  He received his B.A. (1973) from the University of Maryland, his M.A. (1991) from the University of Florida, and his Ph.D. (1999) from Louisiana State University.