The Geographic Perspective:The Geographic Perspective:Social Science AspectsSocial Science Aspects

Jill S. M. Coleman, Ph.D.Department of Geography

Ball State University: Muncie, IN

Geography: Defining the Discipline

What is geography? What topics do

geographers study? What makes geography

different from other disciplines?

Geography: Defining the Discipline

Geographia (Greek origins) Geo (earth) + graphein (to describe or write) To write or describe the surface of the earth

The study of the spatial arrangement and association among elements on and/or in contact with the earth’s surface

Explaining the “big picture”

Geography: Defining the Discipline

Three defining questions…What is located where?Why are things located where they are? What is the significance?

Modern Geography: Traditions

Spatial distributions of physical and cultural features

Relationship between people and the environment

Existence and evolution of regions Physical characteristics of the earth

Geography: Defining the Discipline

Linkage with the physical sciences and social sciences

Interdisciplinary Variation across space Degree of human

impact assessment

Human Geography

Study of the relationship of human beings and their activities (past or present) to the surrounding environment and the consequences of these interactions

Focuses more on… The cultural characteristics of a place The processes that influence or shape that place The interconnectedness of those places

Tools of the Trade

Visual Representation Cartography Remote Sensing Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Qualitative Techniques Surveys Personal Interviews

Spatial Quantitative Methods

Patterns and DistributionsExample: Cocaine Export & Distribution

EconomicGeography

Patterns and DistributionsExample: 2003 West Nile Virus Incidence

Medical GeographyBiogeographyClimatology

Patterns and DistributionsExample: 2007 West Nile Virus Incidence

Medical GeographyBiogeographyClimatology

The Geographic Perspective

Understanding the ways in which humankind perceives and interacts with the Earth’s surface, its resources, and its people

Geography lies at the intersection of both social and physical sciences

Explain the processes that give rise to spatial distributions---it’s not all about maps!

Geographic landscapes are social creations