geog lecture 12
Introduction
Acknowledgement of the traditional ancestral territory of the Syk Kokanagan people.
Importance of valuing and living well on indigenous lands.
Course Updates
Upcoming Assignments
Second essay due: March 21 (Friday)
Emphasis on not procrastinating before submission.
Feedback available during office hours on outlines or summaries.
Final Exam Information
Scheduled for April at noon.
Exam will be arranged centrally; no control over the date.
If unable to attend, a litigation circumstances form must be filled out and sent to the dean.
Office Hours
Instructor: Thursday 11 AM - 12 Noon (Zoom link on Canvas).
TAs: Tina (Wednesday), Megan (Friday) - available for questions and essay feedback.
Reading Assignments
For next week:
Tenth edition: Chapter 4 (pages 142-164).
Eleventh edition: Chapter 6 (pages 220-235).
Tutorial Preparation
Complete readings from the Indigenous Atlas of Canada.
Instructions for discussion uploaded on Canvas.
Class Activities
Quiz Introduction
Short, non-graded practice quiz to jog memory and assess weekly reading comprehension.
Quiz Feedback Immediately After Completion
Overview of quiz questions and answers.
Discussion of specific questions related to ecological and environmental concepts.
New Topic: Geographies of Culture and Landscape
Overview of Culture and Geography
Geographers study the interplay between cultural practices and physical landscapes.
Culture shapes places while places influence culture.
Goals and Expectations
Discuss the essence of cultural geography.
Understand cultural regions and landscapes, cultural adaptation, and diffusion.
Analyze the role of language and religion as cultural variables.
Understanding Culture through Geography
Key Concepts
Culture as a shared way of life; fundamental to geography and human interactions.
Examples showcasing cultural icons reflect historical and geographical significance:
New Orleans' French heritage.
Cowboy imagery representing the Wild West.
Cultural Landscapes
Interaction between cultures and landscapes demonstrates cultural significance.
Examples:
Totem poles in Stanley Park, Vancouver represent Coast Salish heritage.
Great Pyramids symbolize ancient Egyptian civilization.
Cultural Dynamics
Culture evolves while existing norms resist changes, creating a complex relationship.
Geographers investigate the spatial distribution of culture and the connections between different cultures.
Cultural Regions
Types of Cultural Regions
Formal Cultural Regions: Defined areas with shared cultural attributes, determined by geographical criteria.
Example: Prairie Region based on agricultural practices.
Vernacular Cultural Regions: Perceptual regions shaped by subjective views and identities.
Example: Joel Garreau's "The Nine Nations of North America."
Formal Cultural Regions in North America
Categories can be subdivided into smaller regions based on physical and cultural attributes.
Example: North American regions defined by geography and shared human experiences.
Cultural Adaptation and Diffusion
Cultural Adaptation
The iterative process of cultural interaction with landscapes facilitates adjustments to environmental challenges.
Involves changes in technology, social organizations, and ideologies.
Example: Agriculture in the Okanagan region as an outcome of cultural adaptation.
Cultural Diffusion
Encompasses how cultures spread over time and across different regions.
Examined through various patterns: contagion, hierarchical, and cumulative effects.
Significant cultural innovations and shifts in societal behavior can be observed through the consequences of diffusion.
Conclusion
Ongoing exploration of interactions between culture, geography, and landscape.
Emphasis on the dynamism of culture and the essential role it plays in society.
Anticipation of deeper discussions in upcoming lectures regarding cultural variables like language and religion.