Key Concepts in Human Geography

Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Mateer
Contact Information: mateerj@brandonu.ca
Office Hours: Drop-in any time on Wednesday between 10-11am or schedule an appointment.
Course Theme: Wheat City Nuit Blanche 2026: Possible Worlds Community Mapping in Brandon.

Definition: An areal extent.
Absolute Space: Objective measurement using agreed-upon units.
Relative Space: Varies among observers; perception of space acquired through experience and interpretation.
Mental Maps (Perceptual Maps): Internal representations of space.
Scale: The context of a selected study area in relation to larger and smaller areas.
- Different scales can highlight various processes.

Definition: A specific point in space.
Absolute Location: Fixed and constant across observers (e.g., determined using a grid system).
Relative Location: Changes based on the observer's position; usually defined in relation to other locations.
Nominal Location: Identity and position derived from common names which reflect complex social relationships.

Site: The physical ground or location occupied by a settlement, influenced by factors such as water access, fuel resources, soil quality, transportation, and defense.
Situation: A location’s relation to surrounding features, including accessibility to other towns and the environment surrounding it.

Site Characteristics: Rich agricultural lands, rivers that serve as natural transportation routes.
Situation Characteristics: Acts as a fur trade center, positioned centrally (Gateway to the West), major distribution and manufacturing hub, supporting agriculture and immigration.

Quotation: "Geography teaches us that places are not just locations on a map; they are repositories of memories, stories, and meaning. Placemaking taps into this sense of place-based identity." – Fiona Smith, Cultural Geographer.
Place Phenomena: Expressions related to feelings of belonging or dislocation (e.g., feeling out of place, finding one’s place in the world) reflect the subjective experience of place.

Location: A fixed, measurable coordinate.
Locale: The physical setting facilitating human interaction.
Sense of Place: Subjective feelings and emotional responses tied to locations.
Quotation: "Meaningful places are essential for meaningful lives." - Beatley, T. (2004).

Quotation: “A wilderness in itself is placeless, for it has no human centre or point of convergence.” – Robert Pogue-Harrison.
Significance: Places formed through human interaction, leading to cultural attachment and recognition of subtle landscape differences.

Definition: A natural scene influenced and interpreted by culture.
Quotation: “We do not live in landscapes – we look at them.” – Cresswell (2004).
Perspective: Discusses the distinction between landscapes as mere physical forms versus culturally mediated perceptions.

Definition: An area characterized by shared characteristics.
Types of Regions:
- Formal Regions (Uniform): Defined by one or more shared characteristics.
- Functional Regions (Nodal): Defined by shared function.
- Vernacular Regions (Perceptual): Based on shared perceptions.
Cultural Landscapes: Imbue meaning and symbolism reflective of regional characteristics.

Distance: The space separating entities.
Types of Distance:
- Absolute Distance: Measured in standardized units.
- Relative Distance: Varies according to human experiences, including time and economic cost.
- Psychological and Social Distance: Relates to mental perception and societal position.

Definition: The narrations surrounding a location and its reflection of social power.
Components: Individual mental images and socially constructed discourses.
Reference: Gregory D. (1995), ‘Imaginative Geographies’.

Definition: The study of place names.
Significance: Toponyms reveal historical and cultural narratives about a location.
Contestation: Names may be politically contentious, reflecting social relationships and identity.

Reference Maps: Illustrate location and the combination of natural and built features.
Thematic Maps: Illustrate specific analyses through selected measures.
- Types of Thematic Maps Include:
  - Dot Maps: Represent measurement density through dots.
  - Choropleth Maps: Indicate differences with colors/shading.
  - Isoline Maps: Link equal measurement points with lines.
  - Cartograms: Distort areas to represent data accurately.

Importance: Various methodologies for representing a spherical globe on flat surfaces.
Types Include:
- Cylindrical
- Mercator
- Robinson
- Conic
- Planar
- Interrupted

Remote Sensing: Data acquisition using sensors from distance.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS): Satellite navigation systems with growing popularity and application.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Provide spatial analysis capabilities by overlaying various datasets.
Computer-Assisted Cartography: Enhances map production efficiency and accessibility.

Ethical Implication of Maps: Maps shape our understanding; they are not neutral representations.
Discussion Points: Evaluate biases in mapping practices and implications on social narratives, focusing on who creates and consumes maps.

Week 1 (January 6 & 8): Introduction to the course.
Week 2 (January 13 & 15): Geographic Tools and Themes including Mapping, Scale, Movement, and Change. Reading from the 11th Edition: Chapter 3.