Vol. 17, No. 4, December 1979 - "Geographer as a Tourist"
(pp. 1 - 10)
Russell B. Capelle, Jr.
Old Dominion University
Abstract
Many geographers have become interested in the perception of place and space -- in behavioral geography. "Mental maps" is now acceptable jargon. But why are we geographers on a mental trip? What purpose does behavioral geographic research serve? Have we gone astray from our appointed path or are we proceeding along a course that will continue our heritage into the future?
(pp. 11 - 18)
Carter Craigie and Kay Cothran
Cabrini College
Abstract
When we chose to visit the open-air folklife museum of Scandinavia and the Netherlands in 1977, we returned to the homeland of folklife studies. Although British influence historically predominated in American Studies of folktale, folksong, and other intangibles of folk culture, Germanic sources provided us with a holistic, cultural, environmental-conscious approach to the study of folk societies. It has been customary in American folklore studies, we point out, to identify folk culture with only the lower social classes in only rural environments in technologically-advanced civilizations; we, however, prefer a broader view which considers a folk society to be "any people or any class in any society that as a group exhibit identifiably distinctive modes of life." Taking this broader view causes the European folk museums to be especially interesting to us, since these institutions tend toward a broad view of folk society.
(pp. 19 - 22)
Mary Mobley
Kutztown State College
Abstract
No doubt, traveling geographers look for those geographical impressions amalgamated in their minds over time. These impressions have come from various research, lectures, and objet d'art which pass through our lives. Encountering the environment personally, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling the exquisiteness of it brings the fulfillment of a reality envisioned in hose amalgamated impressions. Yet, sometimes the full understanding of the reality doesn't strike until some situation produces a shock. This forces the geographer to reflect on and reevaluate those impressions which have become rots. Eventually, the new images form and meld into a reality of geographic experience.
(pp. 22 - 24)
Burton Witthuhn
Edinboro State College
Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Abstract
It is five thirty in the morning and already there is an unusual amount of activity. Street cleaners scurry to ready roadways that will channel unceasing bustle for the next nineteen hours. Newsboys deliver morning papers riding bicycles whose screeching brakes surpass any ordinary alarm clock. Children engage in early morning frolic before leaving for school. Housewives hang out an early wash attempting to crowd more activity into their busy day. Still others, both make and female, young and old, undertake exercises long ago designed to strengthen human fabric. One's senses rebel from cacophony of sounds that arise from these activities and encroach upon one's rest. It is no use - the time has come to confront the reality of modern Free China.