• Unit 1: Introduction to Geography

    Geography comes from the Greek word geo (earth) and graph (to write). It examines the physical and human worlds and the spatial relationships between them. Geographers look at how the earth is changing due to the way humans interact with the environment. This unit will examine the scientific foundations of geography, and explore the relationships between places, human populations and cultures, and globalization.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 8 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • discuss the two main branches of geography;
      • examine the tools that geographers use to study the Earth;
      • explain the geographic grid and how it relates to time zones;
      • discuss the spatial nature of geography and how each place or region is examined, analyzed, and compared; and
      • examine and discuss some of the foundational concepts of geography:
        • physical geography (including climate, geology, and biogeography);
        • population geography;
        • cultural geography (including culture, ethnicity, religion, and language);
        • economic geography; and
        • globalization.

    • MapCheck: The World

    • 1.1: Geography Basics

      • Maps Show Us Who We Are, Not Just Where We Are Page

        In this video, a geographer discusses maps that depict earth. He notes that border controls are a recent construct – there was a time when people were free to immigrate wherever they wanted without passports.

      • Geography Basics URL

        This section introduces the foundational principles of the major branches of geography, such as physical, population, cultural, and economic geography. After you read, you should be able to explain how globalization can positively and negatively affect communities.

      • Introduction to Geospatial Science and Technology Page

        Geospatial science is a field of study that is focused on understanding people, places, and activities on earth through information technology. Watch this video to understand the importance of geospatial analysis in geographic inquiry.

      • Latitude and Longitude Page

        Latitude and longitude is the imaginary grid geographers created to divide the globe into sections to make it easy to locate every place on earth. Watch this video to learn about these circular reference methods.

      • Latitude, Longitude, and Time Zones Page

        Watch this video to learn more about geographic coordinates and the concept of time meridians (time zones).

      • Seasons, Daylight Hours, and Solar Zenith Angle Page

        Watch this video to understand how the tilt of the earth’s affects weather patterns and daylight hours. Note that some countries do not use daylight savings time.

    • 1.2: The Environment and Human Activity

      • The Environment and Human Activity URL
        This section introduces the major concepts of physical geography, such as weather and climate, earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics. It also discusses the causes and components of climate change, including its anthropogenic (human-made) influences.
      • Rainshadow Effect, Adiabatic Process, and Relative Humidity Page

        Watch this video for a brief explanation of the rainshadow effect, adiabatic processes, and relative humidity.

      • The Other Inconvenient Truth Page

        Watch this video, which explains why skyrocketing demands for food has propelled agriculture to become the largest driver of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental destruction.

    • 1.3: Population and Culture

      • Population and Culture URL

        This section introduces the major concepts and variables of population geography, including urbanization, culture, ethnicity, language, and religion.

      • A Family Tree for Humanity Page

        Watch this video, which describes the ancestry, history, and distribution of human populations across the globe.

      • Geoinquiry: World Population File

        This exercise will ask you to explore and analyze patterns in world population. Follow the instructions and answer the questions in this document.

      • How Language Transformed Humanity Page

        Watch this video, where an evolutionary biologist discusses how language has transformed humanity.

      • Geoinquiry: Language and Religion File

        In this exercise, you will explore the spatial distribution of the major languages and religions of the world. Follow the instructions and answer the questions in this document.

    • 1.4: Globalization and Development

      • Globalization and Development URL

        This section introduces the how globalization can provide opportunities for certain regions of the world by increasing national income or through other value-added profit activities. However, globalization can also be detrimental to cultural independence. Globalization will be a major theme in later units of this course.

      • Navigating Our Global Future Page

        Watch this video on globalization.

      • Geoinquiry: Understanding Globalization File

        This exercise gives perspectives on how globalization is affecting the world. Follow the instructions and answer the questions in this document.

      • Mapping the Future of Countries Page

        Watch this video on the past, present, and future of country borders.

      • Why Societies Collapse Page

        Watch this video about some of the theories on what can cause societies to collapse.

      • Geoinquiry: The Human Development Index File

        In this exercise, you will explore the HDI, what it is, and how it is used. Follow the instructions and answer the questions in this document.