Cultural Geography Chapter 1
What is Geography? The study of the interaction of all physical and human phenomenon at individual places, and how interactions among places form patterns and organize space.
What is Geography? Anything with a map Perception Behavior
What is Geography? Study of spatial and temporal relationships
Chapter 1 Why Places Matter Interdependence in a Globalized World Studying Human Geography Making a Difference: The Power of Geography
Why Places Matter Influence and meaning of places
Influence and meaning of places Places are dynamic Exert strong influence on Well being Opportunities Lifestyle choices Places are socially constructed
Influence and meaning of places Places are sites of innovation and change Silicon valley Fertile crescent Punk movement in 80 s Brittan 60 s San Francisco
Influence and meaning of places Places modify and resist imprint of global trends Reggae = US rock n roll via Jamaica Bhangara = traditional Punjabi music via Mumbai movie music and western disco Nuclear free zones GM-free zones
Uberlingen, Germany GM-free zone
Why Places Matter Influence and meaning of places Interdependence of places NYC Interdependence of geographic scales Interdependence as a two-way process
Spatial scales
Changes in technology results in changes in spatial relationships
Interdependence of geographic scales Industrial revolution changed economic development Also changed scales of production and consumption from local to global
Interdependence of geographic scales World regions Supranational organizations EU NAFTA Functional regions Local scale The body and self
The body and self Physical attributes Norms of personal space Acceptable uses of bodies Men transcend their body? Women are limited by their body?
Scale Certain phenomena can be understood at specific spatial scales But social, cultural, political, and economic phenomena are very fluid Constantly being constructed, reinforced, undermined, and rebuilt Real world is product of interdependent phenomena at a variety of spatial scales
Scale Interdependence between geographic scales: relationship between global and local Study of human geography shows how global trends influence local outcomes But local events influence global patterns and trends
Why Places Matter Influence and meaning of places Interdependence of places NYC Interdependence of geographic scales Interdependence as a two-way process
Interdependence in a Globalized World Perspectives on Globalization and Interdependence
Perspectives on Globalization and Interdependence Globalization is increasing interconnectedness through economic, environmental, political, and cultural change
Perception #1 The world is becoming one shared political and economic space Events in one region have repercussions for all others Economic and technological forces are breaking down barriers within and between near and distant places
Perception #1 Will the recent phase of globalization strengthen some regional connections and weaken others, or make regions irrelevant?
Perception #2 Will globalization enable some regions core to create even greater differences of wealth and power than already exist? Thomas Friedman
Hyperglobalist view open markets and free trade allow more people to share in prosperity Democracy and Human rights will flow with free trade (China?) Neoliberal policies minimal state Replace nation-states with global institutions like IMF and WTO
Skeptical view Globalization is nothing new Nation-state is doing fine We are seeing regionalization dominated by three large trading blocs Europe, North America, East Asia (Japan) World is less integrated due to control of three blocs
Transformationalist view Contemporary process is historically unprecedented Governments and peoples across globe confront lack of boundary between global and local, between domestic and international
Transformationalist view Globalization is long term historical process Economic, military, technological, ecological, migratory, political, and cultural flows have functionally linked all parts of the globe in neoliberal economic framework Free trade agreements have drawn regions into a global neoliberal economic framework
Transformationalist view We are heading toward a world where places and regions will experience a wide range of internal changes as connections to rest of world increase Increase in disparities of wealth
Transformationalist view Globalization increasing social stratification Some states are more connected to dominant global order Some states are becoming increasingly marginalized
Transformationalist view No evidence to support hyperglobalist view of increasing equality among individuals Rather will create three tiered system of Elites Embattled Marginalized
Interdependence in a Globalized World Perspectives on Globalization and Interdependence Key issues in a Globalizing world
Key issues in a Globalizing world Environmental Health issues Security
Ecological Footprint
HIV/AIDS
Studying Human Geography Basic tools Spatial analysis Regional analysis Developing a geographic imagination
Development of modern geography Earlier geography descriptive Carl Ritter and Alexander von Humboldt Asked why? And better yet, what is the significance? Looked at human-environment relationships Environmental determinism
Big Geographic Ideas Human vs. Physical
Dr. John Snow s Cholera Map September 1854 500 dead
Big Geographic Ideas Geographic themes Human vs. Physical Regional vs. Thematic
Regional Analyze everything in one region
Regional studies Bernard Varen 1680-1690ish Stature of natives Employment Virtues, vices, learning and wit Customs Speech and language Politics/government Religion Cities and famous places History Famous people
Thematic Look at one theme across several or all regions
Regional studies Carl Sauer American Geographer Idea of cultural landscape
Cultural landscape Each place has unique landscape Physical landscape as modified by human interaction
Survey systems French Long lot British Meets and bounds American Township and range
Toponym Place name Physical setting Political changes Social customs
Region Just an idea Formal Functional (Nodal) Vernacular
Spatial distribution Density Concentration Pattern
Diffusion Expansion Hierarchical Contagious Relocation
Maps Scale Ratio of map units to ground units Projection Method of transforming sphere to plane Latitude/longitude
Latitude
Longitude
Figure 1.17 Prime Meridian and Standard Time
Making a Difference: The Power of Geography Importance of a Geographic Education Geographers at work