Exploring Geography and Culture
Unit Outline
Plescia Fall 2016
In this introductory unit we will focus on the tools the geographers use to understand the world, the themes of geography and impact that humans have on the environment, as well as the importance of culture to a community. This outline details the homework from our textbook World Geography. For each assignment you are to read the pages given below and define the terms associated with each section. Do not simply copy the definitions from the back of the book-this will not help you understand these key ideas and we will not necessarily cover each concept in class. You will also be required to answer several questions that correspond with each reading assignment. I will also give random pop quizzes to make sure you are up to date on our homework.
Essential Questions: Why is it important to understand physical geography?
What is culture and why does culture matter?
How does geography impact culture?
Due:
Friday, August 26thread pages 35-42 define-geography, technology, GIS, absolute location, relative location, place, region, movement, human environment interaction
Answer-What is the difference between physical and human characteristics in geography?
How might human activities contribute to the disappearance of the rain forest?
Tuesday, August 30th-read pages 87-98-define-population density, culture, population growth, birthrate, urbanization, rural, culture hearth, language, religion, social organization, cultural convergence, diffusion, cultural divergence
Answer-Describe several ways in which cultures can differ from one another.
Describe two distinct ways that cultures can change.
Friday, September 2nd-read pages 100-105 define-territory, sovereignty, population, government, authoritarian, dictatorship, totalitarianism, monarchy, democracy, traditional economy, market economy, command economy, mixed economy
Answer-Please look the Economic Systems diagram on page 104 and answer the corresponding questions.
Friday, September 9th-read pages 109-119 define-primary economic activities, subsistence farming, commercial farming, secondary economic activity, cottage industries, commercial industries, exports, imports, trade balance
Answer-How does the distribution of resources affect global trade patterns?
Unit Test--Tentatively set for Block day September 21/22-this test will include a multiple choice scantron as well as an essay.
Notebooks due on the day of the unit test.
This unit will also require you to complete a world map assignment. You will need to balance your time between this project and homework readings accordingly.
Please see me if you are having any difficulty with homework, the text, the map or note taking.
I am here to help!