Summary
In this presentation, I demonstrate a mini-lecture and in-class activity I use in my undergraduate World Regional Geography course to introduce students to the concept of a region. On an outline map of U.S. states, they draw the boundaries of “the Southwest” and list physical and/or human characteristics that define the region. They compare their results with those of classmates in a follow-up discussion and learn that the boundaries and characteristics of perceptual regions can vary. This lesson becomes the foundation for asking what characteristics the textbook authors used to draw the boundaries of each world region that we study throughout the course. It challenges students to think about “Why?” rather than just accepting world regional boundaries. The lesson is a thought-provoking way to begin the semester. I have also used it in a high school world geography classroom with similar success
Session Focus
Higher Education | World Geography | Engaging, Strategies
Conference Room
Lewis
Meet the Presenter
Dr. Susan Hume is a Professor in the Department of Geography & GIS at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She previously taught 9th grade World Geography and 12th Economics and has been an APHG Reader. Susan served on the NCGE Board of Directors as VP for Research from 2012-2014, President in 2015, and Past President in 2016.
