Geography-

Problems and Prospects

Geography’s Core ConceptsGeography’s Core Concepts

Definition of GeographyDefinition of Geography“Geography is the study of the surface of

the Earth. It involves the phenomena and processes of the Earth’s natural and human environments and landscapes at local to global scales. Its basic division is between physical geography, which is unambiguously a science and analyses the physical make-up of the Earth’s surface. … and human geography, where the focus is on the human occupancy of this area”

-D. T. Herbert and J. A. Matthews, The Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environmental Change (2001)

Academic GeographyAcademic Geography

1. Greatly differed from school geography

2. Geography did not exist as a teaching and research subject in the mid-19th century

3. What was then called ‘geography’ was a hotchpotch of mostly factual information

Geography isGeography is

1. Presently without core-coherent intellectual project

2. lack of a canon(i.e., an agreed best way to undertake geography).

3. The core geographical concepts of space, place, and environment are too vast and diversified

4. Characterized by diversity and divergence

5. Lack of appreciation outside the discipline as to what geographers do

Geographers are Geographers are more-or-less amateurs (Ackerman, 1945)

‘Jack-of-all-trades, master of none’.

immersing themselves in issues of science and critical theory but, to the general public, geography is all about maps.

James Conant insisted that ‘geography is not a university subject’(Livingstone,1992)

1.Encourage rapid specialization to produce a BA(human geog) stream and a BSc(physical geog) stream (in UK)

2.Separate departments of Physical Geography and of Human Geography (Australia)

3.Mergers with other disciplines to become multi-disciplinary programmes( Worldwide)

As a result

However, However,

1.Physical and human geography would be too small and weak as individual disciplines to survive (Gregory et. al 2002)

2.Geography simply is the study of human–environment relations, and that the two component parts cannot be separated (Stoddart,1987)

Geographers should?Geographers should?

1. Specialize, before they became a postgraduate, to be either a physical or a human geographer (Johnston,2005)

2. Do less to do better (Clayton,1985)

3. Continue to let as many flowers bloom

Geography’s AdvantagesGeography’s AdvantagesStudies relationships between people

and the environmentthe importance of spatial variability (the

place dependence of processes)the integration of spatial and temporal

analysis.there is the convergence of disciplines.there is geography’s tradition of

crossing the scales, and linking the local with the global

Thoughts for actionThoughts for action

Promote Geographic Competency among general population, students, academics, policy makers etc

We should defend our territories e.g. Spatial Analysis

Emphasis on tools like mathematics (statistics) and GIS

Emphasis on Integration of Physical and Human geography

Restructuring of Syllabus-inclusion, exclusion, more Practical

The Future of Geography-The Future of Geography-IntegrationIntegration