Fundamentals of Human Geography Unit 1Nature and Scope of Human Geography

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1 Summary of main points in definition and scope: 1. is Integrative, Empirical, and Practical. Human focuses on study of Nature and human beings 1. Integrative: Studies every phenomena in space. Study of 'geo' or 'earth' includes physical features and Life on Earth. Human geography studies relationships between humans and the environment in which they live. How is life sustained in varying climatic zones and altitudes? 2. Empirical is a method in Inductive Thinking process of research.empirical treats reality as a phenomenon. ' It HAPPENS. IT EXISTS. IT IS IN THE REALM OF BEING.' The researcher has only to see it and find it, to know that is already exists. This method is most widely used in Political Theory, all other Humanities. For details see Part 1 of Philosophy of Social Sciences in University unit of this website. 3. Practical : Mapping of physical features and interpretation of maps. Different kinds of maps and related matters are studied in Practical. Human indices are also mapped under Human. 2. Scope of Human : 10 x 10 Learning TM Page 1

2 1. Environmental Determinism 1. Low technology naturalization of humans. Nature is conserved. 2. Middle path of balancing the two extremes of low and high development 2. Neo determinism 3.Possiblilism 3. Freedom to destroy Nature for development through high use of technology. 3. Major stages of Human 1.Exploration and description in search of sea routes. 2.Regional Analysis Mapping and details of one area 3. Areal differentiation : Mapping from aircrafts 4. Spatial Organisation in 1950s 60s computers used s Humanistic, and behavioural schools 6. Post modernism geography 10 x 10 Learning TM Page 2

3 4. Fields of Human and interrelated Social Sciences 4. Settlement 1. SOCIAL 3. ECONOMIC Rural and Urban studied in Urban and Rural Planning. Population studied in Demography 3. Resources Agriculture, Trade,Marketin g, Industires, Tourism, International Trade.Economi cs. Agricultural Sciences,Busin ess StudiesStudies, Business Economics,Tourism and Travel Management, Questions at the end of the Chapter Behavioural,Cultural, Gender, Historical, Medical and well being, Leisure Electoral Military Political Science, Military Science, 2. POLITICAL Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below. 1. Which one of the following statements does not describe geography? a) an integrative discipline b) study of the inter-relationship between humans and environment subjected to dualism 10 x 10 Learning TM Page 3

4 c) Not relevant in the present time due to the development of technology. Answer is C. 2. Which one of the following is not a source of geographical information? a) Traveler s accounts b) old maps c) samples of rock materials from the moon d) ancient epics 3. Which one of the following is the most important factor in the interaction between people and environment? a) human intelligence b) technology c) people s perception d) human brotherhood 4. Which one of the following is not an approach in human geography? a) Areal differentiation b) Quantitative revolution c) Spatial organization d) Exploration and description Answer the following questions in about 30 words. a) Define human geography. Answer. Human geography is the study of the changing relationship between the un resting man and the unstable earth. Human geography is the synthetic study of relationship between human societies and earth s surface. (33 words) b) Name some sub-fields of human geography. 10 x 10 Learning TM Page 4

5 Answer. Exploration and description of new sea routes, Regional Analysis for new lands discovered. Areal differentiation was about unique features. Computers helped in Spatial organization. (31 words) c) How is human geography related to other social sciences? Answer. Social Sciences study the different aspects of human behavior and society. Human geography is critical to Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Anthropology, History, Political Science, Military Science, Demography, Business, trade and commerce, (30 words) Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words. a) Explain naturalization of humans. Answer. When humans living in forests as tribes, live as if they are a part of the forest, it is called naturalization of humans. They use the forest produce judiciously and do not cause damage to the forest. For the forest produce they collect they thank and pray to the spirits for that product. They have names for spirits for various trees streams. Most tribes in India provide evidence of being naturalized with Nature. Their faith in their belief about protecting the forests for their own safety is very strong. These naturalized tribes refuse to give up their beliefs to get modernized. Under naturalization of humans, Nature and humans live in harmony. Nature is a viewed as a force that is to be worshipped, respected, and conserved for the protection of humans. The use of technology is low good of humans. Such naturalization of humans has protected forests in India. (150 words) b) Write a note on the scope of human geography. Answer. The Scope of Human is the development story of humans. It ranges from Environmental Determinism to Possibilism. Its middle path is Neo-determinism. Environmental Determinism is the view of absolute necessity. Possibilism is the view of absolute 10 x 10 Learning TM Page 5

6 freedom to change Nature. It means that humans can conquer Nature by obeying it. It also means that possibilities for development on basis of technology can be created within limits that do not damage the environment. Neo determinism establishes a balance between the two extremes of very low use technology as in Environmental Determinism, and the very high free run of technology, in Possibilism. In other words it nullifies the either or dichotomy in the scope of human geography. This dichotomy states that humans can either conserve Nature or Develop. The greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, global warming, receding glaciers, degradation of land have resulted from the free run view. (150 words) 10 x 10 Learning TM Page 6