Session 2: Exploring culture and themes in cultural geography

1) Mental maps from course prep participatory exercise;

2) Discussion about preparing for the concept test;

3) News item / food for thought of the day;

4) Group discussion – “What is culture?”

5) Culture & Themes explored.

September 10, 2013

Berg Lake Glacier,British Columbia

Norton, W. (2005). Cultural Geography: Environments, Landscapes, Identities, and Inequalities. Oxford University Press, Don Mills.

Readings: Chapter 1 of Norton – What is culture?; Themes in Cultural Geography

Familiarity with critical analysis and

review

Yes

•but still room for improvement

No/ first time hearing of it

Some / notmuch experience with it•yes, but not in geography•familiar with but no experience•some, from previous courses•some difficulty•need descriptive outline•need a refresher

Writing a critical review

See resources posted on course WordPress site

Interest

Broader goals in education and

career

Degree program

Skill development

Direct relevanceto career

•enjoyment of topic•sociology & humanity•global environmental issues•the human-environment nexus•life interests

•elementary school teaching•sustainable development•honours thesis•work with Indigenous communities

•speaking, writing, group work•build cooperation with coworkers•build understanding of culture and newcomer transitions

Types of learnersand helpful learning

tools

Visuals•diagrams•pictures•videos

Technology / Internet

Kinesthetic learning (by doing)

Reading•ppts•memorization•textbooks•writing notes

Group discussions

Illustration / Examples

Definitions

Listening

Repetition

Key concepts Test

Format: 3 short essay questions from each chapter 1, 2, & 3

You will be asked to discuss broach topics from the text book sections assigned to class sessions.

Points will be given based on your ability to:

• Provide reasonable definitions/explanations of the key terms

• Relate terms to each other

• Provide alternate explanations for the terms (critical component)

• Relate the terms to examples from the class (or other examples that your know of from other sources)

Total: 15% of your grade each question is worth 5% or your total grade

New item / thought provoking item of the day

http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2013/08/14/sun-dance-ceremony-part-2-the-buffalo-dance/

Sundance Ceremony Part 2: The Buffalo Dance

Illustrates: Worldviews related to healing, community, and environment

Group discussion

1. What are the attributes culture?

2. How was culture represented in the video about the Buffalo dance? What was the meaning of culture in this context?

Form 5 groups of 4 or 5 and discuss the following questions:

Take about 15-20 minutes to discuss and record responses. Select one person who will present.

What is culture?

Sauer (father of the landscape school) treated culture as a reality rather than an human concept

Culture is a complex term: Has changed throughout history and will continue to change

Culture – changes, is fluid, adapts...

Convention is described in the text as:

1) the values and abstract ideals that members of a human group hold;

2) the norms and rules that they follow;3) and the material goods that they create.

Many disciplinary interpretations

What is culture?

Everything produced by humans: •Art•Clothing•Buildings•Music•Tools•etc.

“The study of humans and the land” or “humans and nature”

* Relationship between humans and their earthly (and to a lesser extent celestial) habitat

Broad in scope

Culture is evolving - temporal

and...culture and cultural identity exists at different scales

Themes in cultural geography

Concerned with relationships b/w human and natureHistorical transformation of landscapesOccupance and evolution of landscapesPolitical dimension, power imbalancesAlso political but focuses on the concepts of self and ‘other’Extends beyond the physical to identity and symbolic meaningSource: Norton 2005, Table 1.2, pg. 27