CHAPTER -1 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY NATURE AND SCOPE

GIST OF THE CHAPTERS

BOOK -I ( Fundamentals of Human Geography)

CHAPTER -1

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY NATURE AND SCOPE

GIST OF THE LESSON:

Geography is a field - study, an integrative, empirical, scientific and practical discipline, it studies each and every event on the surface of the earth over the time and space, human geography studies the relationship between human and nature.
Geography can be studied through law making or descriptive. There are two approaches used in the study of geography –
1. Systematic approach 
2. Regional Approach

DEFINITION OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

“Human geography is the synthetic study of relationship between human societies & earth s
surface”. -Ratzel

Synthesis has been emphasized in the above definition.

“Human geography is the study of “the changing relationship between the un-resting man and the unstable earth.” - Ellen C. Semple

Dynamism in the relationship is the keyword in SempleS definition.

“Conception resulting from a more synthetic knowledge of the physical laws governing our earth and of the relations between the living beings which inhabit it”. - Paul Vidal de la Blache

NATURE OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Human geography studies the inter relationship between the physical environment and sociocultural environment created by man. Elements of physical are land, water, soil, climate, flora & fauna etc. Elements of cultural are transport and communication, settlements, crops etc.

NATURALISATION OF HUMANS (ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINISM)

Man interacts with nature with the help of technology. It is not important that what he creates but with what tools he used to create. Technology indicates the level of cultural development of society. Understanding the nature helps to create technology. Understanding of friction and heat helped to discover fire. Understanding DNA helped to eradicate diseases. Laws of thermodynamics helped to develop fast planes. Knowledge about nature is extremely important
to develop technology and technology loosens the shackles of environment on human being.

The interaction between primitive society and strong forces of nature is called “Environmental Determinism”.

EMINENT SCHOLARS OF THE DETERMINICTIC SCHOOL - 
F. Raitzel (Germany)
Ellen C. Semple (U.S.A.)

HUMANISATION OF NATURE (POSSIBILISM)

With the development of technology people understood the nature well. They move from state of necessity to state of possibilities. Human activities created cultural landscapes, so it is called as possibilism.

EMINENT SCHOLAR OF THE POSSIBILISTIC SCHOOL- Paul Vidal de la Blache (France)

NEO-DETERMINISM /STOP AND GO DETERMINISM (SCIENTIFIC DETERMINISM)

1. Introduced by Griffith Taylor in 1920, an Australian Scholar.
2. It is a middle path (MADHYAM MARG) between environmental determinism and possibilism. The concept shows that neither is there a situation of absolute necessity nor is there a condition of absolute freedom. Sustainable development is the main aim. The Neo determinism maintains balance between development and nature.
3. Example of Nature as a traffic controller and Man as a travellar incorporated in his concept.

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF TIME
VARIOUS SCHOOLS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

 WELFARE SCHOOL
Concerned with social well-being of the people a. housing b. Health c. Education

 RADICAL SCHOOL
Concerned with causes of poverty, deprivation and social and gender inequality

 BEHAVIOURAL SCHOOL
Given importance to lived experience, perception of space by Social categories

Three Marks Questions

Q1.What is Naturalization of Humans?
Ans. 
1. Human activities are controlled and governed by Environment.
2. Man is treated as a passive agent.
3. Human adjustment in the environment with the help of available technology.
4. Example of Benda life in Abujhamaad area of central India.

Q2. What is humanization of Nature?
Ans. 
1. Man is treated as an independent and active agent.
2. Everywhere there are possibilities & man is the master of these possibilities.
3. Man can transform nature by culture and technological knowledge.
4. Example of Cari residing in Trondheim (Norway).

Q3. Distinguish between regional approach & systematic approach of Geography.
Ans- Systematic Approach Regional Approach
1. Based on political units 1.Based on geographical units
2. Single element is taken for studies 2. Based on similarities
Such as climate

Five Marks Question

Q1. Mention three Characteristics of Neo –Determinism.
Ans.
1. Introduced by Griffith Taylor
2. Reflects the middle path between the ideas of Environmental determinism and possibilism.
3. Emphasizes in solving the problems without damaging the environment.
4. It believes in the concept of stop and Go Determinism.

5. Sense of Sustainble development.