Geographic Destiny
A look at the ways we are redefining "place" so as to make its power even more potent than it has been, with troubling implications.
For information about Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs & Steel, please scroll down this page.
The aligned reading for this unit is chapter 5 of Harm de Blij's, Why Geography Matters More Than Ever
"Place", the cultural, political, economic and physical location of individuals and societies; remains today as the dominant factor in an individual's destiny. What that means and what we can do about it are the focus of this class investigation.
We will explore de Blij's arguments off and on during the course of the year. In this 2009 work, the world's most eminent geographer explains the true nature of globalization and it's implications across every aspect of Human Geography.
Here is Harm de Blij's website.
The documents offered below are here to assist students in deeply engaging with this interesting and scholarly book.
BackgroundThese documents will assist you in understanding some of the references de Blij makes in the book. He assumes you have some fundamental understandings. If you don't, read these.
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Chapter OneThese documents offer you summaries and a glossary of terms for the first chapter. They will be well worth your time and effort!
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Here's an interesting blog that includes summaries of each chapter. The Power of Place
Guns Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
The PBS companion site is rich with useful information. We won't tackle the book itself in this class, it's a tough read, but it is a very important work in World Studies; a watershed acheivment. Parents and involved students may wish to read it; you can find it at Amazon and any book retailer.
| guns_ep1_viewingguide.pdf |
| guns_ep2_viewingguide.pdf |
| germs_ep3_viewingguide.pdf |