Pedagogy of School Subject Geography : Meaning,Definition, Nature and Scope of Geography Subject.

1. B.Ed.
PEDAGOGY OF SCHOOL SUBJECT
GEOGRAPHY
1.1 Meaning, Definition, Nature &
Scope of Geography Subject.

2. Objectives
• Explain the nature of the subject.
• Describes the nature of geography as a
subject
• It attempts to enrich knowledge & illustrate
basic concepts regarding Geography Subject.
• Elaborate wider scope of Geography Subject.
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3. INTRODUCTION
• Geography is one of the oldest earth
science & its roots date back in the
works of the early Greek scholars.
• The word „geography‟ was first used by
the Greek scholar Eratosthenes in the
third century B.C.
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4. CONCEPT
• Geography has been defined differently through
different periods of its history.
• Geographical work in ancient Greece had
followed two distinct traditions.
• One was the mathematical tradition which was
focused on fixing the location of places on the
earth‟s surface.
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5. • The other was gathering geographic information
through travels and field work.
• According to them, the purpose of geography
was to provide a description of the physical
features & conditions in different parts of the
world.
• The emergence of regional approach in
geography also emphasized the descriptive
character of geography.
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6. MEANING
• Geo “ Earth” and Graphy “to describe”
• The word geography can be broken into the two
basic parts "GEO" and "GRAPHY”. GEO +
GRAPHY
• Literally In other words “Geography is largely
the study of the interaction of all physical &
human phenomena and landscapes created by
such interactions.”
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7. • It is about how, why, and where human &
natural activities occur & how these activities
are interconnected.
• Means, "to write about the Earth."
• Literal meaning of geography is to describe
about the earth‟s surfaces.
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8. “Geography” - 2 Greek words
geo (Earth)
graphy (writing/ description)
It is a subject that studies…
Earth‟s surfaces & processes that shape it
relationships between humans & physical
environments
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9. • Geography is the study of the differentiation of
the earth surface, as shown in the character,
arrangement, & inter-relations over the earth
of elements such as climate, relief, soil,
vegetation, population, land use, industries, or
states, and of the unit areas formed by the
complex of these individual elements.
• Geography is the science that describes the earth
surface with particular reference to the
differentiation & relationships of areas.
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10. Example of Geography in daily life.
The natural phenomena like mountains, rivers,
lakes etc. change slowly
While the cultural elements like buildings, roads,
crops, change fast.
Travelling from one place to another you notice
that the trees number and types of trees change
from area to area.
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11. Example of Geography in daily life.
All this is because of the continuous interaction
between the environment in which we live in &
the way we use it.
The study of Geography is about observing such
patterns.
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12. To develop the knowledge and understanding of
where we live, other places, how people & the
places interrelate Earth‟s surfaces & processes that
shape it.
The skills needed to carry out geographical study
(e.g., enquiry, map work & fieldwork)
Interest in, & to encourage an appreciation of the
world around us
Develop concern for the world around us & an
ability & willingness to take positive action both
locally & globally
Purpose of
Geography

13. For example: Knowing Mt Everest is the highest peak (8850m)
in the world is not understanding geography …unless we seek
to understand
But, knowing one isolated
geographical fact does not
mean there is geographical
understanding!
Why it is
the highest
peak?
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How is it
created?
How its location
influences the
Political security,
downstream
Flooding & access
to water of the
Surrounding areas?

14. Geography, not only investigates what is where
on the Earth but also why it is there.
Geographers study the location of the activities,
carefully identify patterns using maps & find
out the reasons for these patterns.
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15. • The areas are then described based on the
distribution of land forms, population, house
type & agriculture.
• Today, all over the world there are problems
related to providing food security, health,
effective energy use & environmental
conservation.
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16. Nature of Geography as a discipline
In brief:
• 1. Geography is a science of space.
• 2. Maps are an essential tool of geographers.
• 3. Digital Geographical Information system is a
new tool for making maps.
• 4. Spatial Planning can be done using both
maps & the study of geography
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17. Geography as a study of the earth‟s surface.
Geography as the study of man-environment
relationships.
• According to Humboldt, geography is the science
related to nature & it studies & describes all
material things found on earth.
• Another important school of thought defined
geography as the study of man-environment
relationships.
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18. Geography has three main branches :
physical, Human and Regional.
1. Physical geography deals with nature of physical
phenomena such as climatology, soil & vegetation.
2. Human geography deals with the relationship
between human societies & the earth‟s surface.
3. Aspects such as delineation of regions, their
geographical characteristics & processes of change
constitute regional geography.

19. Scope
 Geography has now acquired the status of science
 It explains the arrangements of various natural & cultural features on
the earth surface.
 Geography is a holistic & interdisciplinary field of study.
 Engaged in understanding the changing spatial structure from past to
the future.
Thus, the scope of geography is in various disciplines, like armed services,
environment management, water resources, disaster management,
meteorology and planning and various social sciences.
Apart from that, a geographer can help in day to day life like tourism,
commuting, housing & health related activities.
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21. GEOGRAPHY AS AN
INTERDISCIPLINARY SUBJECT
Geography has its strong relation with mathematics,
natural sciences, & social sciences.
While other sciences deal with distinctive types of
phenomena, geography studies several kinds of
phenomena, each already studied by another science.

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Geography as Interdisciplinary subject
It encompasses many aspects of both Arts and Science disciplines.

23. Geography , a link subject
• Is a link subject between physical sciences and social sciences.
• Geography is study of earth, as the home of man.
• All aspects of human life is touched by geography.
• Every human activity has some geographical importance.
• The teaching geography has two-fold correlation ship.
• 1. It is related to humanities or social sciences, like history,
economics, political science, literature and art etc.
• 2. It is correlated with natural sciences like physics,
chemistry, geology, mathematics etc.
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24. Geography & History
 Geography deals with the space factor or places
 & History with time factor or periods.
 Geography describes the stage on which human life is enacted
 & History describes the drama of human life.
 No history can be complete without some reference to space.
 We come to know how the physical features of a country have influenced
and can influence the course of history.
 In teaching history, maps, charts and diagrams must be used.
 Geography is very helpful in explaining historical events.
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25. Geography & Political Science
 Political science study foundation of the State and the principles of
government.
 Sometimes political administration differs from country to country.
 This difference is due to geographical conditions.
 In different countries traditions, political principles and other things
are guided by geographical factors.
 Physical condition influence the character, the national life of the
people and the political institutions.
 World citizenship and world government have become the ideals of
Political Science & practical politics.
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26. Geography & Economics
• In geography more attention is paid to economic conditions.
• Economic geography is given more importance.
• Various principles are described, on the basis of which it is possible to
study the economic aspects of the geographical factors.
• Study of man‟s economic activities as controlled or influenced by
physical environment.
• Agriculture, minerals, forests, industries, and trade are all influenced by
geographical factors.
• It is the geographical factors which govern the wealth of a particular
country or nation.
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27. Geography& Literature
 Literature has been very much influenced by geographical conditions.
 It is full of nature and natural phenomena in the form of poetry,
drama, epics, & stories.
 The old literature is full of beautiful descriptions of rivers, rain,
wind, clouds, mountains, sun, moon, stars & sky etc.
 It provide rich subject matter to literature.
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28. Geography &
Art & Craft
• Practical geography provides a vast
relationship with Art & Craft.
• Drawing of diagrams, outlines, graphs, charts
& maps etc. are important for Geography
• It is possible through art activities to prepare
above teaching aids.
• Craft helps in making models of lands, dams,
canals, wind vane.
• Helps art student in drawing fine picture of
mountains, rivers, lakes, sun-rise, sun-set etc.
•
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29. Geography &
Mathematics
• Some problems in geography cannot be
solved without the reference of
mathematics.
• Involves calculations, surveys,
measurements, graphs.
• There is use of mathematics training.
• E.g. population, agriculture, exports,
imports, minerals production, distribution
of rainfall etc.
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What does Geography mean to you?
• In groups brainstorm the meaning of Geography.
• You can put down anything you think Geography
is about or related to.
Take about 5 minutes to brainstorm and put down
the ideas on the paper provided.