THE EDUCATION OF A GEOGRAPHER CARL O SAUER

THE EDUCATION OF A GEOGRAPHER – CARL O. SAUER

CARL ORTWIN SAUER (1988 – 1975) 1908 – undertook graduate studies in Geology at Northwest University followed by a later shift to Geography focusing on physical landscapes and human culture 1915 – transferred to the University of Chicago and earned his Ph. D in Geography 1915 – began teaching at the University of Michigan (initially upholding Environmental Determinism and later altering his view) 1923 – transferred to the University of California in Berkeley where he developed the “Berkeley School” of Geographic thought focusing on culture, landscapes and history 1925 – “The Morphology of Landscape”

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? Environmental Determinism Natural environment solely responsible for the development of different cultures & societies Evolution follows natural laws ‘Inheritance of acquired traits’ Sauer’s Take Culture works with & on nature to create contexts of life Culture is historically ‘particular’ Looking for meaning in landscapes that have been modified by human activity

THE EDUCATION OF A GEOGRAPHER On Original Bent and Early Predilection Natural/shaped tendency, diversity in background, inclination for maps & travel, the “morphologic eye” On Being Unspecialized Wider array of techniques, vocabulary, processes – geography “greater than the sum if [its] disciplinary efforts”; lack of restraints in method or purpose The Training Period Importance of geomorphology & history in geography, observation & field work, the history of geographic thought Description for What? Too narrow descriptions of Geography & method limit scope and creativity – find “real & present problems” then find the best means! Beyond Formal Science “A realm of individual perception and interpretation, the art of geography”

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT Sauer notes that “[i]n a time of exceedingly great increase of knowledge and techniques we remain in measure undelimited and […] unreduced to a specific discipline. Do you think this is still the case for Geography in present-day academia? He goes on to note that this (set of characteristics quoted above) is “our present weakness and potential strength”. What does he mean by this?

QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT Do you agree with Sauer’s comments on the ethics of geography and geographers’ concerns with the “place of man in nature”? Is it “proper and reasonable that we are troubled as to how man has acted for good or evil”?

GETTING TO KNOW YOU Diversity What is your major? What, if any, was your previous major? How many times have you switched majors? Previous background (academic, work, etc. ) “…the power to explore in many directions… we have been made up of individuals of many backgrounds, with some denominator in common…”

GETTING TO KNOW YOU (CONTINUED) “…we admit to our group different temperaments and diverse interests” Where are you from? (elaborate if necessary!) What is your star sign and do you fit the description of it? Do you like maps and/or globes? Do you own any? Where do you call home and what is the farthest you’ve travelled from it? Most awesome adventure? Where will you be during the Olympics? Half empty or half full?

GEOGRAPHY AS ART PICTIONARY!!! If you don’t love it already, you will after this…