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Cultural Geographies & Interpreting Places and Landscapes - Vocabulary Flashcards

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Chapter 5 – Cultural Geographies

Core Idea

Culture shapes space, and space shapes culture. We study how beliefs, traditions, and identities connect to geography.

Key Terms & Definitions

Culture

  • Definition: Shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices of a group.

  • Material culture: Physical things (e.g., clothes, food, buildings).

  • Symbolic culture: Non-material (e.g., language, religion, values).

Culture as a Geographical Process

  • Culture is dynamic — spreads, changes, and adapts through interaction.

  • Influences landscapes, cities, and everyday life.

Cultural Appropriation

  • Taking cultural elements from another group without understanding or respect — especially from marginalized groups.

Cultural Trait

  • A single element of culture (e.g., food dish, dance, type of clothing).

Diaspora

  • Scattered population from a homeland that keeps cultural ties (e.g., Jewish diaspora, Chinese diaspora).

Cultural Imperialism

  • Dominance of one culture over others (often Western culture).

  • Americanization: Spread of U.S. culture worldwide (e.g., fast food chains, movies).

McDonaldization

  • George Ritzer’s concept: Society becoming more like a fast-food chain — efficiency, predictability, calculability, control.

Social Geography

  • How identities (race, gender, class) relate to place and space.

Identity & Intersectionality

  • Identity: How we see ourselves & are seen by others.

  • Intersectionality: Overlapping social categories (e.g., being both a woman and an immigrant).

Race & Ethnicity

  • Race: Socially constructed categories based on perceived biological traits.

  • Ethnicity: Shared cultural heritage, language, ancestry.

Geographies of Race/Ethnicity

  • Spatial expressions of race/ethnicity — e.g., ethnic enclaves like Chinatown, Vancouver.

Examples to Know

  • Americanization through global brands like Starbucks or Disney.

  • Vancouver’s Chinatown: a cultural space that shows history, migration, and identity.

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Chapter 6 – Interpreting Places and Landscapes

Core Idea

Landscapes are “texts” — they can be read for cultural meaning. Places are shaped by power, identity, and symbolism.

Key Terms & Definitions

Cultural Landscape

  • Human-shaped environment reflecting cultural values.

    • Ordinary landscapes: Everyday settings (e.g., neighborhoods).

    • Symbolic landscapes: Represent power, identity, or values (e.g., Parliament Hill).

Territoriality

  • Control over space for social/political purposes (e.g., borders, fences).

Proxemics

  • Study of personal space and distance in communication.

Topophilia

  • Emotional attachment to a place.

Derelict Landscapes

  • Abandoned or degraded spaces (e.g., empty factories).

Landscapes as Texts / Semiotics

  • Reading landscapes to uncover meaning.

  • Semiotics: Study of signs and symbols.

  • Sign: A feature that conveys meaning (e.g., national flag).

Malls as Coded Spaces

  • Malls are designed to influence behavior — layout, lighting, security rules.

  • Sense of Place: Emotional meaning tied to a location.

Sacred Space

  • Place with spiritual significance (e.g., churches, mosques, temples).

Selling & Consuming “Place”

  • Place-marketing: Branding a place to attract people or investment.

  • Mega events: Olympics, expos — reshape places and image.

  • Heritage industry: Selling history/culture for tourism.

Globalization & Place

  • Placelessness: Loss of unique characteristics; everywhere looks the same.

  • Homogenous landscapes: Standardized spaces (e.g., chain stores, uniform malls).

Examples to Know

  • Vancouver 2010 Olympics: place-marketing & mega event reshaping the city.

  • Starbucks & McDonald’s creating placelessness.

  • Granville Island market = example of heritage industry.