Suggests that instructors need to develop a clear statement of what human geography is and includes. Attempts to establish a basis for human geography as an academic discipline. Argues that different philosophies are complementary, and each can add to the exploration of the spatial emphasis in human geography. (DK)

College seniors in a geography of marketing and distribution course learn about spatial optimizing techniques by participating in a freight distribution game. Students plan the distribution of confectionery from two factories in England to 20 wholesale and retail customers in Scotland. The team that designs the lowest cost system wins. (RM)

Undergraduate geography courses provide a significant entry way into representing and challenging dominant images of places and identities. Teaching geography in the Caribbean raises significant issues in terms of providing materials that explore representations of places and topics that are grounded in the region, while also moving beyond…

Suggests a method for introducing university students to the notion that apparently straight-forward scientific research may contain ideological flaws. Explores researchers who have undertaken debates in their literature and classifies their ideologies as either aware or unaware. (Author/KC)

Urges that college level geography students will develop greater appreciation of population projections when they are directly and systematically involved in making and using them. An exercise is described in which students are directed to make several population projections, compare their projections with published projections, and explain…

Suggests a way to resolve conflicts among college level teachers of geography regarding what should be taught in introductory human geography courses. The method centers on a list of core concepts which could be taught in all sections of the course. Concepts, selected through analysis of commonly used textbooks, include agriculture, industry, land…

Orientation is a deeply felt human need that can be used to interest students in geography. It can develop spatial competence and introduce topics in social geography. (AM)

Discusses teaching about the impact of weather and climate on societies and human activity. Suggests that this impact be demonstrated with study of the Dominican Republic during its formation. Presents several instructional strategies for consideration: focus on climate, historical events, and weather. Includes books to be used in each approach.…

Describes ways to teach about the role of geography on politics in high school social studies. Students study the influence of waterways and other topographical features on politics. The influence of geopolitical theory on American and Soviet foreign policies is examined. (AM)

Using a tour of Detroit as a case study, this article explains how a well-designed urban tour can make large-scale processes visible to students. Information is presented on ways in which the Detroit tour helped students think analytically about large-scale processes and about how teachers can adapt the Detroit format to tours of other cities. (DB)

Describes an activity intended to heighten teaching effectiveness and student interest in college-level introductory cultural geography. By tracing their family's migration history, students experience a sense of time, place, and cultural heritage. (Author)

Rural and small-town Ontario, Canada is introduced through illustrations and discussions of seven typical elements that helped shape the province: cemetery, house, barn, hall, fence, roadscape, and main street. Having students make and discuss sketches is an excellent way to help them learn about the human geography of an area. (RM)

Discusses how instructors can design a local field trip for undergraduate students enrolled in an economic geography class. The purpose of the field trip is to help students observe and interpret familiar scenes in terms of geographical concepts such as central place theory, changing land use, and spatial competition. (RM)

Suggests utilizing foreign coins and banknotes as teaching aids for geography. Discusses coins portrayal of such issues as societal goals, historical commemorations, or conservation of wildlife. Cites banknotes as a source of even more geographical information than coins. Suggests sources of information, coins, and banknotes. (DK)

A distance perception survey was used to get college students enrolled in a human geography course involved and interested in the topic of perception. Students were asked to arrange 12 European capitals in sequence according to their distance from Amsterdam. Survey results are presented. (RM)