World History
Introduction
List one example of human and environmental interaction that
has impacted world history through examples of demography and
disease, migration, patterns of settlement and technology. (We
will use this bell ringer to introduce our first class discussion.)
What is Geography?
Geography is the study of the Earth and its people. A geographer tries to understand
a place—not just where it is, but what it is like, what takes place there, and how the
people there live.
5 Themes of Geography • Location describes where something is. Absolute location describes a place's exact
position on the Earth's surface. Relative location expresses where a place is
compared to another place.
• Place explores the physical and human features that make a city, state, or country
unique.
• Regions are areas that share common features. A region may be land, water, or a
specific area in a city or state.
• Movement explains how and why people, things, and ideas move
• Human-environment interaction explores the relationship between people and
their environments.
Maps and Globes
• Tools that geographers use to learn more about the Earth.
• Globe – round model of the Earth
• Map – flat drawing of all or part of the Earth’s surface.
• Physical maps – show elevation, landforms, relief
• Political maps - show the names and political boundary lines, or borders, of
a place.
• may also show human-made features, such as cities or transportation
routes.
• Special Purpose/Thematic maps - Some maps present specific kinds of
information. These are called thematic or special purpose maps. They
usually show themes or patterns, or emphasize one subject.
6 Essential Elements of Geography
1. Spatial Terms – Where is it located? Absolute? Relative?
2. Places and Regions – describes all of the characteristics that give an area its own special quality.
These can be physical features such as mountains, waterways, climate, and plant or animal life.
Places can also be described by human features. These include language, religion, and
architecture.
3. Physical Systems – Physical systems include the complex forces that create weather—wind, rain,
snow, and storms. These, of course, can change the Earth.
4. Human Systems- includes all the things humans create as they build their lives together on Earth. It
includes all the people and their settlements, as well as the cultures they form.
5. Environment and Society – The relationship between people and their surroundings.
6. The Uses of Geography - Knowledge of geography helps people understand the relationships
between people, places, and the environment.
Group Activity
1. As a group, work together to brainstorm different physical and cultural
(human) attributes that define and differentiate different parts of the
world throughout history. As a group, try and come with at least two
attributes for at least four different parts of the world. (One physical and
one cultural.) Have one person jot down your findings with each member
of the groups name on the paper.
Globalization – What is it?
Is it unavoidable?
Are there consequences?
Let’s talk about the effect of…on the
preservation and diffusion of culture through
class discussion.
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Transportation
Trade
Communication
Science
technology
Let’s analyze this concept…
The following suggested items:
Nike shoes, baseball hat of US professional sports team, CD of a major U.S. music group, video
starring famous Hollywood actor, Barbie Doll, Time magazine, blue jeans with US label, Coke can,
Kellogg's Corn Flakes, pack of Lucky Strikes cigarettes, wrappers from Burger King, Snapple bottle
What are the common features of these products?
Which of these products are commonly available in other countries (think about the type of product and not the brand
name)?
Which products are uncommon in other countries and why do you think so?
Are any of these products necessities?
What might a citizen of France use instead of these products? A villager in India? A resident of Russia?
What factors might affect how these individuals view these products? How does this compare with your view of these
products? If you think the views are similar, why might this be so? If not, why not?
Which American products/corporations have spread to other countries
around the world? What is it about American products/corporations that
have caused them to spread (as opposed to other
products/corporations)?
What positive and negative impacts do these products/corporations have?
How could they alter local cultures?
Why is the American market is so dominant?
What role do other countries play in cultural globalization? How do other
countries contribute to American culture?
Do you feel uncomfortable or threatened by foreign products? Why or
why not? Do you think other Americans are? Why or why not?
So, is Globalization a new phenomena?
• How does it lead us into our first section, the Byzantine Empire?
• How can it lead us into any section of history?
Home Learning – Due Thursday August 27th in Class.
Take 15 – 20 minutes at home to research the Byzantine Empire. This will be very
beneficial to our next class.
Exit Tweet What is globalization? In your opinion, is it
unavoidable? Why or why not?
Works Cited:
MgGraw Hill textbook.