Description: Map. World MapUNIT 1. Geography in a Changing World1. The Big Questions in Geography, Susan L. Cutter, Reginald Golledge, and William L. Graf, The Professional Geographer, August 2002The authors have taken the challenge of science correspondent John Noble Wilford to articulate the big questions in geography. Wilford's concerns are that research by geographers is not being reported and that geographers may be missing the important questions in their research.2. Rediscovering the Importance of Geography, Alexander B. Murphy, The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 30, 1998Geography's renaissance in U.S. education is the key theme of this piece. The author insists that geography be recognized not as an exercise in place names, but because it addresses physical and human processes and sheds light on the nature and meaning of changing spatial arrangements and landscapes.3. The Four Traditions of Geography, William D. Pattison, Journal of Geography, September/October 1990This key article, originally published in 1964, was reprinted with the author's later comments in the 75-year retrospective of the Journal of Geography. It is a classic in the history of geography. William Pattison discusses the four main themes that have been the focus of work in the discipline of geography for centuries-the spatial concept, area studies, land-human relationships, and earth science.4. Perilous Gardens, Persistent Dreams, Rob Schultheis, Sierra, May/June 2003Years of warfare in Afghanistan and the ongoing drought have combined to create a seriously damaged environment. Faced with the momentous task of rebuilding their country, people are encouraged by an Afghan saying, "Even the highest mountain has a trail to the top."5. California Scheming, Mark Wheeler, Smithsonian, October 2002Los Angeles's insatiable thirst for water has continued for over 100 years. Pollution from the draining of Owens Lake has changed the landscape of the region.6. On Thin Ice?, Robert A. Bindschadler and Charles R. Bentley, Scientific American, December 2002Antarctic experts are concerned that the continent's vast ice sheet may be rapidly disintegrating. If this change continues, global sea levels could rise as much as 5 meters. Environmental casualties could include southern Florida and hundreds of urban places located near present sea level.UNIT 2. Human-Environment Relationships7. How Cities Make Their Own Weather, Jeffrey Kluger, Time, August 11, 2003The urban heat island, a concept known to physical geographers for over 200 years, is a contributing factor in urban areas making their own local weather. NASA and others use satellite mapping to research this phenomenon.8. Human Modification of the Geomorphically Unstable Salt River in Metropolitan Phoenix, Martin Roberge, The Professional Geographer, May 2002Proposals have been made to alter the physical restrictions on the Salt River and return the waterway to its original braided form. The power of the channeled river has caused environmental disruptions in the urban area of Phoenix.9. Texas and Water: Pay Up or Dry Up, The Economist, May 26, 2001Water availability continues to be a problem of regional concern in the American Southwest. Many urban areas along the course of the Rio Grande, for instance, may literally run out of water within 20 years if conservation measures are not enacted.10. Environmental Enemy No. 1, The Economist, July 6, 2002Coal, a widely used energy source, is a prime contributor to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the major cause of global warming. Carbon sequestration is seen as a positive move to reduce carbon dioxide accumulations, an intermediate step toward the development of environmentally friendly hydrogen fuel cells.11. Carbon Sequestration: Fired Up With Ideas, The Economist, July 6, 2002Scientists are proposing novel ideas for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in order to deter further global warming. One process

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