Introduction to Cultural Geography Also known as Human Geography ©2012, TESCCC

Physical v. Cultural Geography Physical Geography Cultural Geography Rocks/Minerals Population/Settlements/Urbanization Landforms Economic and Political Systems Animal and Plant Life Transportation Soils Human Migration Atmosphere/Climate/Weather Social Systems Environment Recreation Rivers/Oceans/Other bodies of Water Religion/Belief System Cultural Geography is the study of the Earth’s human landscape. ©2012, TESCCC

CULTURE Beliefs, Values, Customs Definition: Shared patterns of learned behavior that are passed on from generation to generation. Components: Beliefs, Values, Customs Languages, Ethnicity, Religion Institutions (Economic, Political, Educational) Art, Music, and Technology ©2012, TESCCC

A field that studies spatial aspects of human cultures. CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY A field that studies spatial aspects of human cultures. Major components focus on: Cultural Landscapes Culture Hearths Cultural Diffusion Culture Regions ©2012, TESCCC

Cultural Landscape The composite of human imprints on the earth’s surface. Carl Sauer’s definition: “the forms superimposed on the physical landscape by the activities of man” “ from Recent Developments in Cultural Geography, 1927 ©2012, TESCCC

Culture Hearth The source areas from which radiated ideas, innovations, and ideologies that change the world beyond. What are some examples? ©2012, TESCCC

Cultural Diffusion Culture Region The spreading of a culture element (ex: technological innovation) Can you think of any examples of cultural diffusion, past or present? Culture Region Distinct, culturally discrete spatial unit; a region where certain cultural norms prevail. ©2012, TESCCC

Ethnicity What is ethnicity? Common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background An Example of Ethnic and Religious Conflict: The Balkans: Ethnic war between the Croatian Catholics, the Bosnian Muslims, and the Serbian Orthodox. ©2012, TESCCC

Conclusion Think about your own culture: your belief system, institutions that you are part of, technology you use everyday. Cultures change over time, but the historical aspects are very important for understanding today’s cultures. Culture must be examined from different perspectives. Know the terms cultural landscape, cultural hearth, cultural diffusion, and culture region- these terms describe the ways in which cultural geographers view the world. ©2012, TESCCC

Review Components of Culture Language Religious Beliefs Economic Activities Political Systems Art and Music Education Systems Technology Customs and Traditions Ethnicity Culture ©2012, TESCCC

Political, Economic & Social Factors affect Cultures Political: a system of government (dictatorship, communist, etc. may forbid religious practices, prohibit language spoken by indigenous people, forbid type of clothing, impose a specific religion, etc.) Economic: (the diffusion of economic practices might go against a people’s value system, or customs and traditions. Social Factors: (a region’s value system might contradict a religion’s ideals, a region’s education system may prohibit cultural practices. Provide specific examples relevant to students. ©2012, TESCCC