The Cultural Landscape (7th Edition)
- Book Review,
by James M. Rubenstein
Book Description
This mid-edition revision of the seventh edition of The Cultural Landscape has been revised to incorporate the September 11th attack on the United States. The book has an established track record as the leader in the field due to its timeliness and readability. It is widely praised because it is clearly written and organized, up-to-date, and it approaches topics in ways that appeal to the majority of readers. This new editon includes topics such as a geographic tools box titled “Aftermath of Terror”, a new heading in chapter 6 called “Taliban vs. Western Values” which discusses Islam in the context of extremist positions, and a new Key Issue in Chapter 8 called “Why has terrorism increased?” For readers who want to know morwe about geography and the changing world.
From the Back Cover
This mid-edition revision of the seventh edition of The Cultural Landscape has been revised to incorporate the September 11th attack on the United States. The book has an established track record as the leader in the field due to its timeliness and readability. It is widely praised because it is clearly written and organized, up-to-date, and it approaches topics in ways that appeal to the majority of readers. This new editon includes topics such as a geographic tools box titled “Aftermath of Terror”, a new heading in chapter 6 called “Taliban vs. Western Values” which discusses Islam in the context of extremist positions, and a new Key Issue in Chapter 8 called “Why has terrorism increased?” For readers who want to know morwe about geography and the changing world.
About the Author
Dr. James M. Rubenstein received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1975. His dissertation on French urban planning was later developed into a book entitled The French New Towns (Johns Hopkins University Press). In 1976 he joined the faculty at Miami University, where he is currently Professor of Geography and Chair of the Department of Geography. Besides teaching courses on Urban and Human Geography and writing textbooks, Dr. Rubenstein also conducts research in the automotive industry and has published two books on the subject entitled The Changing U.S. Auto Industry: A Geographical Analysis (Routledge) and Making and Selling Cars: Innovation and Change in the U.S. Auto Industry (The Johns Hopkins University Press). Originally from Baltimore, he is an avid Orioles fan. Stormy, a lab-pointer mix, takes Dr. Rubenstein for a long walk in the woods every day. This book is dedicated to Bernadette Unger, Dr. Rubenstein's wife, who has stuck with him through thick and thin. Dr. Rubenstein also gratefully thanks the rest of his family for their love and support.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
What is geography? Geography is the study of where things are located on Earth's surface and the reasons for the location. The word geography, invented by the ancient Greek scholar Eratosthenes, is based on two Greek words. Geo means "Earth," and graphy means "to write." Geographers ask two simple questions: where and why. Where are people and activities located across Earth's surface? Why are they located in particular places? Geography as a Social Science Recent world events lend a sense of urgency to geographic inquiry. Geography's spatial perspectives help to relate economic change in Africa, the Middle East, and other regions to the distributions of cultural features such as languages and religions, demographic patterns such as population growth and migration, and natural resources such as energy and food supply. Does the world face an overpopulation crisis? Geographers study population problems by comparing the arrangements of human organizations and natural resources across Earth. Given these spatial distributions, geographers conclude that some locations may have more people than can be provided for, whereas other places may be underpopulated. Similarly, geographers examine the prospects for an energy crisis by relating the distribution of energy sources and consumption. Geographers find that the users of energy are located in places with different social, economic, and political institutions than the producers of energy. Geographers seek first to describe the distribution of features such as the production and consumption of energy, and then to explain the relationships between these distributions and other human and physical phenomena. The main purpose of this book is to introduce students to the study of geography as a social science by emphasizing the relevance of geographic concepts to human problems. It is intended for use in college-level introductory human or cultural geography courses. The book is written for students who have not previously taken a college-level geography course and have had little, if any, geography in high school. Divisions within Geography Because geography is a broad subject, some specialization is inevitable. At the same time, one of geography's strengths is its diversity of approach. Rather than being forced to adhere rigorously to established disciplinary laws, geographers can combine a variety of methods and approaches. This tradition stimulates innovative thinking, although students who are looking for a series of ironclad laws to memorize may be disappointed. Human vs. Physical Geography. Geography is both a physical and a social science. When geography concentrates on the distribution of physical features, such as climate, soil, and vegetation, it is a natural science. When it studies cultural features, such as language, industry, and cities, geography is a social science. This division is reflected in some colleges, where physical geography courses may carry natural science credit and human and cultural geography courses social science credit. While this book is concerned with geography from a social science perspective, one of the distinctive features of geography is its use of natural science concepts to help understand human behavior. The distinction between physical and human geography reflects differences in emphasis, not an absolute separation. Topical vs. Regional Approach. Geographers face a choice between a topical and a regional approach. The topical approach, which is used in this book, starts by identifying a set of important cultural issues to be studied, such as population growth, political disputes, and economic restructuring. Geographers using the topical approach examine the location of different aspects of the topic, the reasons for the observed pattern, and the significance of the distribution. The alternative approach is regional. Regional geographers start by selecting a portion of Earth and studying the environment, people, and activities within the area. The regional geography approach is used in courses on Europe, Africa, Asia, and other areas of the world. Although this book is organized by topics, geography students should be aware of the location of places in the world. A separate index section lists the book's maps by location. One indispensable aid in the study of regions is an atlas, which can also be used to find unfamiliar places that may pop up in the news. Partly for this reason, the publisher has chosen to offer an atlas to accompany this textbook at no additional cost to the student. Descriptive vs. Systematic Method. Whether using a topical or a regional approach, geographers can select either a descriptive or a systematic method. Again, the distinction is one of emphasis, not an absolute separation. The descriptive method emphasizes the collection of a variety of details about a particular location. This method has been used primarily by regional geographers to illustrate the uniqueness of a particular location on Earth's surface. The systematic method emphasizes the identification of several basic theories or techniques developed by geographers to explain the distribution of activities. This book uses both the descriptive and systematic methods because total dependence on either approach is unsatisfactory. An entirely descriptive book would contain a large collection of individual examples not organized into a unified structure. A completely systematic approach suffers because some of the theories and techniques are so abstract that they lack meaning for the student. Geographers who depend only on the systematic approach may have difficulty explaining important contemporary issues. Features This book is sensitive to the study needs of students. Each chapter is clearly structured to help students understand the material and effectively review from the book. Outline. The book discusses the following main topics: What basic concepts do geographers use? Chapter 1 provides an introduction to ways that geographers think about the world. Geographers employ several concepts to describe the distribution of people and activities across Earth, to explain reasons underlying the observed distribution, and to understand the significance of the arrangements. Where are people located in the world? Chapters 2 and 3 examine the distribution and growth of the world's population, as well as the movement of people from one place to another. Why do some places on Earth contain large numbers of people or attract newcomers while other places are sparsely inhabited? How are different cultural groups distributed? Chapters 4 through 8 analyze the distribution of different cultural traits and beliefs and the problems that result from those spatial patterns. Important cultural traits discussed in Chapter 4 include food, clothing, shelter, and leisure activities. Chapters 5 through 7 examine three main elements of cultural identity: language, religion, and ethnicity. Chapter 8 looks at political problems that arise from cultural diversity.: Geographers look for similarities and differences in the cultural features at different places, the reason for their distribution, and the importance of these differences for world peace. How do people earn a living in different parts of the world? Human survival depends on acquit an adequate food supply. One of the most significant distinctions in the world is whether people produce their food directly from the land or buy it with money earned by performing other types of work. Chapter 9 through 12 look at the three main ways of earning a living: agriculture, manufacturing, and services,. Chapter 13 discusses cities, the centers for economic as well as cultural activities. What issues result from using. Earth's resources? The final chapter is devoted to a study of three issues related to the use of Earth's natural resources: energy„ pollution, and food supply. Geographers recognize that cultural problems result from the depletion, destruction, and inefficient use of the world's natural resources. Chapter Organization. To help the student use the material in this book, each chapter is organized with these study aids: Case Study. Each chapter opens with a case study that illustrates some of the key concepts presented in the text. The case studies are generally drawn from news events or from daily experiences familiar to resident of North America. Key Issues. Each chapter contains a set of three, four,; or five key issues around which the chapter material is organized. These questions reappear as major headings within the chapter. Other than in Chapter 1, all questions include one of the two key geographic concerns: where or why. Key Terms. The key terms in each chapter are indicated in bold type when they are introduced. These; terms are also listed at the end of the chapter and defined at the end of the book. Contemporary Geographic Tools. Each chapter has a one-or two-page box that explores in depth an issue related to the subject of the chapter. The boxes shown how geographic tools, such as geographic information systems, aerial photography, and remotely sensed images, have been used to resolve—or at least understand—cultural, political, and economic controversies and disputes. Summary. The key issues are repeated at the end off the chapter with a brief review of the important concepts covered in detail in the text. Case Study Revisited. Additional information related to) the chapter's case study may be used to reinforce some; of the main points. Thinking Geographically. This section offers five questions based on concepts and themes developed in the chapter. The questions help students apply geographic concepts to explore issues more intensively. On the Internet. The internet site (www.prenhall.com/rubenstein) that accompanies the book offers a variety of resources for both students and professors. The site features review exercises for students, critical thinking problems, annotated resources for further exploration, and mapping exercises. Further Readings. A list of books and articles is provided for students who wish to study the subject further. Appendix. A special appendix on scale and major projections enhances the discussion of the subject in Chapter 1 of the text. We are grateful to Phillip C. Muehrcke, Professor of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and former president of the American Cartographic Association, for his clear explanation of the subject. Instructional Package In addition to the text itself, the author and publisher have been pleased to work with a number of talented people to produce an excellent instructional package. This package includes the traditional supplements that students and professors have come to expect from authors and publishers, as well as new kinds of components that utilize electronic media. For the Student Companion Web site: The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography Web site by Robert E. Nunley, George W. Ulbrick, Daniel L. Roy, and Severin M. Roberts, all of the University of Kansas, gives students the opportunity to further explore topics presented in the book using the Internet. The site contains numerous review exercises (from which students get immediate feedback), exercises to expand students' understanding of human geography, and resources for further exploration. This Web site provides an excellent platform from which to start using the Internet for the study of human geography. Please visit the site at www.prenhall.com/rubenstein Science on the Internet: A Student's Guide, (0-13028253-7) by Andrew T. Stull and Harry Nickla, is a guide to the Internet specifically for geography students. Science on the Internet is available at no cost to qualified adopters of The Cultural Landscape. Study Guide (0-13-091398-2): Written by experienced educators Robert E. Nunley and George W. Ulbrick, the study guide helps students identify the important points from the text and then provides them with review exercises, study questions, self-check exercises, and vocabulary review. For the Professor Slides (0-13-091394-4) and Transparencies (0-13091393-6): More than 150 full-color illustrations from the text are available free of charge to qualified adopters. In order to accommodate instructor preference, these images are available both on transparency acetates and 35 millimeter slides. Digital Files (0-13-091932-2): All of the maps and figures from the text, and some of the photographs, are available digitally on a CD-ROM. These files are ideal for those professors who use PowerPoint or a comparable presentation software for their classes, or for professors who create text-specific Web sites for their students. The New York Times Themes of the Times—Geography: This unique newspaper-format supplement features recent articles about geography from the pages of The New York Times. This supplement, available at no extra charge from your local Prentice Hall representative, encourages students to make connections between the classroom and the world around them. Instructor's Manual: Written by Tarek Joseph of Michigan State University, the instructor's manual is intended as a resource for both new and experienced instructors. It includes a variety of lecture outlines, additional source materials, teaching tips, advice about how to integrate visual supplements (including the Web-based resources), and various other ideas for the classroom. Test Item File (0-13-091435-5): The test item file, by Robert E. Nunley, George W. Ulbrick, Severin M. Roberts, and Daniel L. Roy, provides instructors with a wide variety of test questions. PH Custom Test: Available formatted for both Macintosh (0-13-091396-0) and IBM (0-13-091395-2) computers and based on the powerful testing technology developed by Engineering Software Associates, Inc. (ESA), Prentice Hall Custom Test allows instructors to create and tailor exams to their own needs. With the online testing program, exams can also be administered online and data can then be automatically transferred for evaluation. A comprehensive desk reference guide is included, along with online assistance. Course Management: Prentice Hall is proud to be a partner with many of the leading course-management system providers on the market today. These partnerships enable us to combine our market-leading online content with the powerful course management tools Blackboard, WebCT, and our proprietary course management system, CourseCompass. Please visit our demo site, www.prenhall.com/demo, for more information, or contact your local Prentice Hall representative, who can provide a live demonstration of these exciting tools. Suggestions for Use This book can be used in an introductory human or cultural geography course that extends over one semester, one quarter, or two quarters. An instructor in a one-semester course could devote one week to each of the chapters, leaving time for examinations. In a one-quarter course, the instructor might need to omit some of the book's material. A course with more of a cultural orientation could use Chapters 1 through 8, plus Chapter 14. If the course has more of an economic orientation, then the appropriate chapters would be 1 through 3 and 8 through 14. A two-quarter course could be organized around the culturally oriented Chapters 1''through 8 during the first quarter and the more economically oriented Chapters 9 through 14 during the second quarter. Topics of particular interest to the instructor or students could be discussed for more than one week. Changes A central theme in this book is a tension between two important themes—globalization and cultural diversity. In many respects we are living in a more unified world economically, culturally, and environmentally. The actions of a particular corporation or country affect people around the world. This book argues that after a period when globalization of the economy and culture has been a paramount concern in geographic analysis, local diversity now demands equal time. People are taking deliberate steps to retain distinctive cultural identities. They are preserving little used languages, fighting fiercely to protect their religions, and carving out distinctive economic roles. A major change in this edition is an emphasis on five basic concepts of space, place, region, scale, and connections. Chapter 1 has been substantially rewritten around these five concepts and renamed "Thinking Geographically" The inspiration for this emphasis came from the Advanced Placement in College-Level Human Geography examination, based on National Geography Standards, which is organized around these five concepts. Two chapters of particular importance in this book are Ethnicity (Chapter 7) and Services (Chapter 12). Ethnicity, like language and religion, is increasingly a source of pride to people and a link to the cultural traditions of ancestors. Ethnicity may help to explain demographic, health, and economic conditions and patterns of inequality and discrimination. Some of the material in Chapter 7 was found elsewhere in previous editions, including U.S. urban patterns, South Africa's history of apartheid, and ethnic cleansing in the Balkans. Two-thirds of North Americans work in services, but this sector of the economy receives minimal treatment in introductory (or even intermediate-level) geography books. Chapter 12 is designed to rectify that imbalance. Finally, given the enormous amount of material now available electronically, through CD-ROM, Internet, and so on, why should an instructor continue to make students buy an expensive textbook? In the computer age, is a textbook an anachronism? A book is a slow way to communicate: By the time this book is in your hands, something in it will be outdated; perhaps there will be a new war, peace treaty, or United Nations member. The information superhighway filled with data that can be quickly retrieved, but the information is poorly organized and written. In contrast, a high-quality book is crafted carefully b the author, editors, and publisher. The author has rewritten these sentences several times to convey a precise meaning. Editors then change many of the words an punctuation to assure that the author's intended meaning is successfully communicated. A book allows an author t lay out a more careful and clear route to explanation an understanding than is possible electronically. For now computers are tools for retrieval of facts and for advance analysis, but they cannot yet compete with books in explaining a discipline's basic concepts and themes.
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