GGY 180

What is Geography?Earth-writing

from the Greeks

What do Geographers do and how do they do it?

They use maps, imagery, and data, and whenever possible, they “go and see” to understand and analyze spatial phenomena, with problem solving as a primary goal.

GGY 180 explores How the planet’s physical systems operate How the planet’s physical and cultural geographies affect

human activity The imprint of history on the modern world Modern economic, political, environmental & cultural

relationships among nations and states

Regional Geography courses help you to develop a WORLD VIEW!

Hi Dr. Hines,

     I thought I would drop you a line and admit, what you probably already knew, your class was especially hard for me. I could not understand why it was so important to know about the religions, languages, and history of everyone in the world. I thought it was good to know where countries were located and maybe know the major cities but except for some Jeopardy questions or a Trivial Pursuit pie, it was not that important to me.

I was WRONG! Since taking both 180 and 181, the world means more to me. Nightly news has taken on new meaning. World events have more significance. These courses have heightened my awareness of the world around me and even with my limited knowledge of their history, I am much more sympathetic to those many people in the world who are not as fortunate as I, to be living in the USA.

     I hate to ramble on about my newfound awareness but, I am ashamed to admit, even my vote in the upcoming election will be looked at differently. World politics was never very high on my priority list for choosing a candidate but it now seems a lot more important than some of my other, more selfish, priorities.

     I still wish I had made an A in your class. I really learned a lot that did not show on my tests. I know you said to me, "Test grades are just a number and they do not accurately reflect what someone has learned or what they may know." This is so true.  I was very stubborn and really could not figure out why you wanted to cram sooo much information into a summer school class. In retrospect, I find myself wanting to know even more after it is all over. Your enthusiasm for your teaching field is very apparent in all that you do and say and I hope that I can emulate those traits as I pursue a career in teaching. I still think your class is hard, but necessary and rewarding.

From an old dog still learning new tricks, Charlie

What do you think of when you think of the regions considered in this class? (Other than that they are all occupied and shaped by people just like us.)

Western Europe(Former) Eastern EuropeRussia & the 15 Former SSRsThe United States and CanadaMiddle America

Mexico, Central America, and the CaribbeanSouth America

Western Europe

Thousands of years of human occupation Hearth of Western Civilization Sophistication in the fine arts for millennia Birthplace of industrialization Empires: Maritime colonial domination of the planet World was “Europified” Still a world leader in many arenas Multi-cultural, multi-lingual Immigrant/refugee destination

Eastern Europe, Russia & the FSU

Vast land area, most of it quite empty & cold Empire: colonial domination of the land

hemisphere under the Czars and the Soviets Russification Domination of Eastern bloc under the Czars & Soviets Colonization of Baltic, Caucasus, and Central Asian nations Communist hearth Fall of Communism, break up of the empire Nukes Petroleum Putin Billionaires

North America

U.S. Europeanization: Natives decimated Implementation of Greek invention: Democracy U.S. Constitution Vast area, many resources, over-exploited Many climatic regions Multi-cultural, large population Increasing urbanization Post-industrial

Canada: Vast area, many resources, trees and petroleum French & British colonizers > Francophone political

discontent Natives fared better Multi-cultural, small population Brrrr!

Latin America 1: Middle America

Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

Ancient High Civilizations of Maya & Aztecs Conquest by the Spanish Source of immigrants to the U.S. Tropical climates distinguished by elevation Lovely Caribbean & the Tormentas Drought Vacations U.S. Military activity Latifundia

Latin America 2: South America

Ancient High Civilization of the Inca Conquered by Spain and Portugal (Brazil) Many indigenous people remain Many Mestizos after Conquesta Amazonia = Tierra Caliente! Andes = Tierra Fria! Most people live in Tierra Templada Vast and lightly populated interior Latifundia

What else can you think of in August?

Ask yourself this question again in December!