Geography
as an Academic Discipline
Geography entails the study of variations
of phenomena over the earth's surface as well as the physical and cultural
environments. It is divided into both physical and human geography. Geography
as an academic discipline in the social sciences category is divided into two
major categories, physical geography, and human geography. Physical geography
enta
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Geography
as an Academic Discipline
Geography entails the study of variations
of phenomena over the earth's surface as well as the physical and cultural
environments. It is divided into both physical and human geography. Geography
as an academic discipline in the social sciences category is divided into two
major categories, physical geography, and human geography. Physical geography
entails the physical environment of an environment while human geography
relates to human activities and the interactive relationships between human
beings and the environment.
The study of geography aims at:
1.
Identifying the patterns
of both natural and cultural features present on the surface of the earth.
2.
Understanding the
distribution of natural and human and factors present on the surface of the
earth.
Physical geography helps
in evaluating and managing natural resources. It helps in relaying the
relationship between human beings and the physical environment and provides
resources that are utilized to ensure both economic and cultural development.
Human geography on the
other hand facilitates the linking of culture to the environment in which
people live. Human geography is also helpful in addressing the issues affecting
a certain environment such as global warming, urbanization, immigration,
culture and identity travel, and agriculture among others.
Geography versus History
History entails the study
of the aggregates of the past while geography entails the study of both the
physical structure of the earth and the human structure which entails the
inhabitants of the earth. While history entails the study and verification of
genuine historical materials, geography calls for the identification and
implementation of research strategies such as surveys. Geographers travel
frequently to different locations which resonate with their study, unlike
historians who mainly travel to collect artifacts as they mainly operate from a
museum. Sociology investigates social causes and consequences of societal
behaviors unlike
Geography versus
sociology
Sociology focuses mostly
on the study of human behavior by allowing people in social, religious,
political, and institutions. Geography focuses on the relationship between the
environment and its inhabitants. Unlike a geographer, a sociologist designs
research projects to test theories about the social issues affecting a given
environment, unlike geography whose main aim is the human beings and their relationship
with the environment.
Sociology also entails
the study of both human relationships with different institutions. It also
investigates the causes of deviant behaviors, unlike geography whose main
interest is the difference in cultures in an environment.
Sociology attempts to
understand the social world through the placement of social events in their
immediate environment while geography does not entail the use of any events.
Geography versus
Anthropology
Geography is the study of
the earth and the relationships between people and the environment while
anthropology is the study of what makes us human through both examination of
the past and that of current civilizations. Anthropology allows for the use of
science and technology to address all social, global, and environmental issues.
Data interpretation for geospatial Geo technologies like GIS and GPS allow
remote sensing.
Anthropology unlike
geography allows for the interrogating of various disciplines in the academic
world.
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