AIM: What does the study of Human Geography involve? DO NOW: LABEL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING AS EITHER VERNACULAR OR FORMAL REGION. FORT GREENE B) THE FAR EAST C) 10028 D) THE PEOPLES’ REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Homework: Due 9/22 Read the introduction to chapter one, as well as “Key Issue 1: How do Geographers Address Where Things Are”. Complete the outline for homework over the weekend. Be prepared to discuss the information in class on Monday.

Divisions of Geography Physical Geography Human Geography Rocks and Minerals Population Landforms Settlements Soils Economic Activities Animals Transportation Plants Recreational Activities Water Religion Atmosphere Political Systems Rivers and Other Water Bodies Social Traditions Environment Human Migration Climate and Weather Agricultural Systems Geography is a bridge between the natural and social sciences. Geography is a holistic or synthesizing science.

Our World

Introduction to Cultural Geography Definition of Cultural Geography History of the Discipline Fundamental Concepts

What is CULTURE? What are its elements? How is it transferred? Language Religion Food Clothing Art Music Rituals and Customs How is it transferred? Parents to Children Schooling Television, Films, Radio, and Internet

What is CULTURE? Culture is learned behavior that is passed on by imitation, instruction, and example. Culture is almost entirely relative. Proper behavior shifts from culture to culture. U.S. current problems: 1) little shared culture; 2) no one is teaching culture. Note: experiencing another culture is useful for gaining perspective on your own.

New Teaching Standards for History in Texas Jacqueline Jones, chairwoman of the University of Texas' History Department, said one U.S. history high school book cheerleads for President Ronald Reagan and the significance of America's free enterprise system while glossing over Gov. George Wallace's attempt to block school integration in Alabama. She also pointed to a phrase stating that "the minimum wage remains one of the New Deal's most controversial legacies."

More Controversy Kathleen Wellman, a history professor at Southern Methodist University, said many books give Moses — the biblical Hebrew leader who received the Ten Commandments from God — credit for influencing the U.S. Constitution, so much so that Texas students might believe "Moses was the first American."

Still More Taken from a new textbook “In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. taxes are ‘what we pay for civilized society.’ Society does not appear to be much more civilized today than it was when Justice Holmes made that observation in 1927. However, ‘what we pay’ has certainly gone up.”

Geographic Importance of Culture Geographers study culture because it leaves dramatic imprints on the earth, both physical and cultural. Language: a crystal ball into culture. Religion: strongest determinant of ethics. Nationalism and Borders Material Culture: tools, clothes, toys, etc. Architecture: Suburban garages vs. earlier porches Religion: affects societal choices; creates sacred space

The Cultural Landscape The result of the natural environment and all of the changes to it as a result of a particular culture. In other words, it is cultures imprint on the land. (Carl Sauer) Environmental Determinism: environment is primary determinant of culture. Possibilism: humans are primary determinant of culture, within limits set by the environment.

Environmentally Determined?

What about Bali, Indonesia?

Active Figure 1.2: A small-scale map of the world regions of this text.

Key Concepts: Space Parallels of Latitude Meridians of Longitude Latitude and Longitude - a reference system designed to provide “absolute” location (as opposed to relative locations). A system used to designate space. Parallels of Latitude Meridians of Longitude

The Geographic Grid Latitude - angular measurement of distance north or south of the Equator. Range: 0 - 90 degrees N or S 1o latitude = approx. 69 miles (25,000 mi. /360o).

The Geographic Grid Longitude - the angular measurement of distance east or west of the Prime Meridian. Maximum value reached at International Date Line - 180o Range: 0o - 180o E or W

Key Concepts: Tobler’s 1st Law of Geography All things are related. However, all other things being equal, those things that are closest together are more related. Related Concepts: Distance Decay / Friction of Distance Spatial Interaction Movement Gravity model

Key Concepts REGION – an area defined by shared characteristic 3 Types of Culture Regions Formal - all members share a characteristic Functional - defined by a node of activity and distance decay from center Vernacular - perception of cultural identity

Overlapping Formal and Functional Regions

Vernacular Regions

AIM: How do we develop a “sense of place”? Do Now: What makes a home?

Diffusion The spread of people, customs, phenomenon, objects, or ideas. Four Types: Relocation Hierarchical Contagious Stimulus Use these terms to explain the spread of: Diseases Popular Music Democratic Revolutions Religious Practices

Sense of Place Every place is unique. Imagine where you lived as a child. Where is home? Why and how do places take on meaning for human individuals? Sensory Architecture Symbolic Why is each place unique? Key works: Place and Placelessness - Relph, 1978 Topophilia - Tuan, Yi-Fu

What kinds of cultural values are reflected in each of these American houses? Gated community?

Timber House, Switzerland Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey Yurt on Mongolian Steppe Suburban Home, Chicago

Human-Environment Interaction (Cultural Ecology) Successful cultures are those that adapt well to their environments. (Chaco Canyon, North Africa, Fertile Crescent, Easter Island) Chaco Canyon, New Mexico Easter Island, Polynesia

Key Concepts: Core-Periphery “World Systems Theory” U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia Wealthy Powerful Controls Media and Finance Technologically advanced Periphery Less Developed Poor Dependent upon Core countries for: Education Technology Media Military Equipment Semi-Periphery- Exhibits some characteristics of core countries and have more power than those in the periphery. They are both exploiters and the exploited.

Key Concepts: Core-Periphery

Geography and Politics Ties to Military Role in Colonization Role in Imperialism Role in Cold War Ethnocentrism Masculinism Foreign - 4) Situated in an abnormal or improper place. 5) Not natural: alien. The American Heritage Dictionary

Globalization The increasing interconnectedness of different parts of the world through common processes of economic, political, and cultural change. Economic globalization is happening fastest. Panama, 1997