Doing Human Geography
As you review for each test it is essential that you begin to think “spatially” and employ the skills of actual geographers. How are the patterns and processes of the world interpreted?What methods do geographers use to analyze and explain the spatial distributions we see in the world today?
Answer:
1. Use and think about maps and spatial data
2. Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places.
3. Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes.
4. Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process.
5. Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places
For your DHG which is due on TEST DAY FOR EACH UNIT, you must do one of the following assignments. Do not repeat until you have completed all 5. These are to be done in order unless otherwise specified in class. For some a specific map or data set will be assigned by your teacher but for some you will be given the freedom to choose which geographic phenomenon to analyze.
1. Interpreting Map and/or Spatial Data
Using a map from either your textbook, in class or online lectures or from class activities you must interpret the spatial pattern you see. Paste the map into your journal and answer the following:
a. What is the purpose of the map? Does the map achieve this purpose? Explain
b. What patterns does the map show? Explain the distribution in terms of clustering, concentrations, densities etc..
c. How does the geographer use color and/or shading to show distributions on the map?
d. At what scale is the map? Why did the geographer choose this particular scale? Would the map be better served at a larger or smaller scale?
e. Is there any apparent bias in the map? Think about our discussions in class about map bias to help with this along with the article “How Maps Lie” that was distributed?
f. What toponyms are used, if any? Do these place names reveal any cultural patterns or bias?
2. Geographic Associations Among Places ( ex: Diffusion)
Diffusion is a geographic concept that defines the movement of people, goods and ideas across space. In this DWH you need to map the movement of a phenomenon we have studied so far. You can include a series of maps or you can use one and utilize arrows, whichever best represents the movement. Please include a one page discussion of the diffusion, including HOW the movement occurred and WHY it is significant to the world? Why do we care about this diffusion? How does it impact the place of origin, areas along the way, and the final destination?
3. Scale
Scale is a significant part of geographic understanding. Understanding at what scale something occurs can help us to understand the extent of an event’s impact. For this activity you need to find two maps at two different scales that show the same piece of information. For example two maps showing religions of the US- one showing religions by state and another showing concentrations at the county level. Paste both maps into your journal and explain in one page how the different scales can change how we interpret the data? Is there one scale that is more ‘accurate’ than the other? Why?
4. Regions
For this activity you will be given 4 different maps of the worlds with regions defined (by shading/color) for you. For each map you will need to decide how the regions may have been determined. ( i.e. dominant religion? language groups? climate zones? etc..) The “correct” answers will be given in class but for each you must explain your choice for the defining regional characteristics.
5. Interconnections among places
The world is an ever increasingly connected place. For this activity you will need to find a photo or news article which exemplifies the idea of interaction or interconnection between two different areas. Explain the nature of the connection between the two areas. Why does it exist? What is the benefit for each side? Is there anything detrimental about this relationship? Has the relationship changed over time? Why? How?
Questions: Ask your teacher! DHG assignments are significant geographic work and will be graded as a quiz grade.