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

1. Formal Cultural Regions: Defined areas with shared cultural attributes, determined by geographical criteria.

   • Example: Prairie Region based on agricultural practices.

2. 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.