Lecture 3 A2L-min PDF

Key Concepts in Human Geography II ENVSOCTY 1HA3 Society, Culture and Environment Dr. Melanie Bedore Welcome back! Unit 1: Introduction to human geography and environment & society 1: Introduction & Course overview: What is human geography? 2: Key concepts in human...

Key Concepts in Human Geography II ENVSOCTY 1HA3 Society, Culture and Environment Dr. Melanie Bedore Welcome back! Unit 1: Introduction to human geography and environment & society 1: Introduction & Course overview: What is human geography? 2: Key concepts in human geography I 3: Key concepts in human geography II 4: The map Outline Continuing to build our geographical literacy Previously … Space, location, place, distance, distribution, etc. Today … Loading… Regions Landscapes Diffusion Perception and mental maps Reading: Chapter 1, sections: Pages: Concept #9: Region A part of the world (the Earth’s surface) that is: diff/distinct from the rest. Internal homogeneity, similarity uniformity , Relatively heterogenous,diffi distinctfrom surrounding areas Possible criteria: Human/cultural – how people live their lives Physical Or a combination of both Consider the United States: Does it have regions? The United States: Does it have regions? Loading… Regions in other countries Concept #10: Scale A way to think about society at different levels or layers , levels of analysis Global, national, regional, provincial, city, neighbourhood… Policymakers think about problems at different scales Your turn: How might policymakers think about one of these problems at some scales (and not others)? Poor body image among young people Political corruption Diabetes Global Continental Religious diversity/plurality Regional State/provincial City Neighbourhood Household Body Concept #11: Landscape The: visible features of the land/area Landscapes can be: natural/physical or human/cultural or Both One way to differentiate regions Concept #12: Cultural landscape Cultural landscape: The outcome of interactions between:ppl and their environments The ________________ visible imprint on the land Each cultural group imprints itself on the landscape in different ways Consider: South-Western Ontario Concept #12: Cultural landscape Cultural groups modify their landscapes to suit their needs; these differences can be slight or vast  Concept #13: Diffusion Diffusion: The movement/spread of: ageographic phenomena across space and over time Culture: Health: ex: Loading… friends that start somewhere and more There are two main forms of diffusion: 1. Relocation 2. Expansion Let’s explore these on the following few slides.  Type #1: Relocation diffusion The spread of ideas, cultural characteristics, etc. from one area to another via the: physical movement of ppl Immigration Consider immigrants to Canadian cities: 19th-20th century: British, Irish, Scottish Post-war: Italian, Greek, Serbian, Polish… 21st century: Pakistan, China, India, Bangladesh… How do these groups express and spread their culture through… Language? Attitudes, beliefs? Food, dress? Religion? Customs? Pastimes Type #2: Expansion diffusion The spread of innovations, trends, ideas and other phenomena Does not require: ppl's relocation Two main subtypes: a) Hierarchical: Ideas, innovations, diseases, etc. leapfrog from one important: person (or city) to another, temporarily bypassing less significant ones. b) Contagious: A characteristic diffuses rapidly throughout:an immediate population and avea spreading outward. , Let’s consider two examples of a new fashion trend Expansion diffusion: Let’s apply it! The newest trend: Wearing socks on your ears Where does it start? How does it spread? “The internet” Concept #14: Mental maps Recall that perception and subjective experience shape our - - understandings of space, place, etc. - Absolute vs. relative conceptualizations Mental maps: A unique personal representation of reality A technique to understand unique individuals’: perceptions of space Reflect imperfect knowledge, not: objective reality Example: If you, your friends and family were asked to make a mental map of the city where you all live, how would all the maps compare? Let’s see a real life example! & Concept #14: Mental maps How do children’s unique cultures shape their perceptions of their environment? “Pretend I am visiting you in your neighbourhood. Draw what I would see.” Gillespie, C.A. (2010). How culture constructs our sense of neighborhood: Mental maps and children’s perceptions of place. Journal of Geography, 109(1), 18-29. Conclusion/Summary Developing our geographic literacy, vocabulary Keep using these words, practice them, build your confidence as an emerging geographer! Study tip: Add today’s concepts to your chart of key terms, definitions and examples Next class: The map Readings: Chapter 1, section: Pages: