To gain understanding of the increasing reliance and interdependencies between ‘us’ in Britain and ‘them’ overseas.
“Crossing cultures has become normal, very few are separate, bounded and uniform”
- Nigel Thrift
Who Am I? Name: Tom
Age: 19
University: Exeter (BA Geography)
Nationality: British
A- Levels: English, Geography,
Business Studies
Hobbies: Travelling, Sport, Music,
Food, The Outdoors
Royal Geographical Society Ambassador.
Here to encourage secondary school students
to take Geography further at university.
Topics Covered Today…
Why take Geography further?
Geography’s relevance to every day life & affairs
Geography’s role in OUR lives
Geography at University
Careers with Geography
Why take Geography further? Interesting: You learn more about a variety of cultures-
this is very important in understanding the Globalising World, & field trips offer an alternative method of study
Transferable skills: Debating, presenting, dealing with numbers, essay writing, critical reading
Importance in later life: sharing of cultural experiences, increased knowledge of travel, understanding of economic, environmental, political and social concerns
A highly esteemed subject: Highly respected Humanities discipline; a competitive, dynamic area of exciting and progressive research
Human Geography is a relatively new subject: fresh and alternative ideas, all of which are relevant to modern day life
So what IS Geography?
Geography is the study of human and physical relations in space i.e. VERY BROAD!
Infant Mortality 2004
Arms Expenditure 2004
Geography is… Any ideas?
Species extinct since 1500
CO2 annual emissions
An awareness of the wider world, and the impact of
‘western development’ on other countries and cultures.
Geography’s relevance to every day life
Businesses
Religions
Languages
Products & Services
Designs
Traditions
Demonstrations
Investment
Collective Cultures
Geography in the Media
Immigration Global Poverty Oil/ Renewable Energy Sustainable Development Recycling Diminishing Resources Globalisation Redevelopment Transportation Economic power World Trade Environmental Protection Crime Ghettoisation Clone Towns Global Relations Travel
No other subject in the curriculum tackles all of these issues like Geography.
Geography’s role in OUR lives
Geography exposes how much we owe to other cultures to maintain our own lifestyles. It is precisely our
connections with the outside that forge our identity
inside.
Commodity
Levi Jeans
England Rugby Shirt Lynx Deodorant
Jack Wills Hoodie Converse Shoes Dax Hair Wax Corona Beer
Ipod Coca Cola
Ted Baker Shades Walkers Crisps
Country of Origin
Mexico China
Germany Portugal Taiwan U.S.A
Belgium China
Multiple India
Leicester!
The Fabulously
British Citizen?
Made in ?
Our Overseas (Traditional?) British Identity
“We need a Global sense of the Local” Doreen Massey, 1984
Geography at University
Encourages philosophical approaches to learning Different critical arguments - not just cause and effect case studies Encourages reflexivity (ability to be self-critical) Teaches you to critically review texts Debate in discussion groups Highlights the importance of your background in forging your
opinion Allows specialisation in Human or Physical Geography Great Fun! Fieldtrips include New Zealand, Cuba, Rocky Mountains
and Berlin. Geography Society holds monthly socials including pub crawls and fancy dress.
Meet new interesting people, many whom have visited remote and interesting parts of the world on their own quest for “Geography Heaven”.
Careers with Geography
Economic, Social, Environmental, Political Can be split into 10 main sectors:
1. Environment and Sustainability,
2. Physical Systems,
3. Society,
4. Business,
5. Geographical Research,
6. Charitable work,
7. Settlement and Development,
8. Travel & Tourism,
9. Leisure and Culture,
10. Agriculture (Further explored on rgs.org)
Useful Websites:
www.rgs.org (Royal Geographical Society)
www.aag.org (Association of American Geographers)
www.about.com (Subject-specific career guidance
and problem solving)
To conclude…
Human Geography encourages you to look at the world not as a
patchwork of nations, but as a network of flows of money, cultures, products and people
…..that continually transcend national boundaries
To conclude…
This knowledge is very important in any career dealing with national and international relations from a social, environmental, economic or political perspective.
“We are a range of different and conflicting individuals with a continual
smudging of lifestyles”
- Frank Mort, 1989
Thank You
Any Questions?