Vol. 2, No. 1, March 1964 - "Cultural Geography"
GEOGRAPHY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEACHING OF WORLD CULTURES
(pp. 1 - 5)
Thomas G. Gault
Indiana State College
Terre Haute, Indiana
Abstract
In 1958 the State Council of Education mandated a one semester course, World Cultures, as a requirement of high school graduation in 1963. The course was conceived as an emphasis upon "concepts rather than facts, and would concentrate upon values, ideas, motivations, and contributions of peoples of various non-western societies." Dr. Boehm, state superintendent, further stated, "Our students will soon learn to appreciate those who live elsewhere, even though these peoples may think differently, live differently, and act differently than we do. Perhaps from such vicarious experiences [whatever these are supposed to be] acquired by our boys and girls will come the basis for peaceful solutions to some of the grave and complex international problems of our times."
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EMPIRES IN ANTIQUITY WITHIN THE NORTH AFICAN-SOUTHWEST ASIAN CULTURE REGION
(pp. 6 - 8)
Preston E. James, Professor of Geography
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
Abstract
Six areas have been of major importance as culture hearths, and some have been, from time to time, the cores of empires. These six areas are Mesopotamia, Persia, Phoenicia, Palestine, Egypt, and Arabia.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS PROGRAM ON HUMAN ECOLOGY
(pp. 9 - 10)
Jerome D. Fellman
University of Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Abstract
Human ecology studies the relations between human populations and their environments. The field is not neo-environmentalism; rather, it is an explicit recognition of the fact that mankind is an ordinary physiological and extraordinary cultural being. As an animal, man is not particularly distinctive; as a human he has unique cultural conditions and structures created by his unique "human" capabilities.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA WORLD CULTURES COURSE OFFERING
(pp. 10 - 13)
Frank J. Basil
Punxsutawney Senior High School
Abstract
The Pennsylvania State Council of Education in 1958 adopted a regulation which made the course in World Cultures mandatory for all students graduating from high school, effective in 1961. School administrators were faced with the problem of offering the course and teachers were faced with the challenges of unit preparation and for making lessons in its instruction.
ANALYSIS OF TWO SELECTED WORLD CULTURES TEXTBOOKS
(pp. 13 - 16)
Herbert E. McGee
Freeport Area High School
Abstract
The two textbooks that appeared most satisfactory for use in the World Cultures Course in the Freeport Area High School, Freeport, Pennsylvania were: James and Davis, The Wide World2, and Russell, Kniffen and Pruitt, Culture Worlds — Brief Editions.