The geosciences consist of multiple disciplines including geology, oceanography, and atmospheric science. Significant work expended to understand spatial thinking skills important to teaching and learning geology has advanced our ability to support students in geology courses and to achieve increased student success, retention, and diversity in…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program periodically conducts national-level assessments of student achievement in geography. In July 2019, the National Assessment Governing Board announced a decision to eliminate geography, economics, arts, and foreign language assessments from the NAEP testing schedule through 2029. In…

The rise of service-learning in higher education has been critiqued as little more than community service that encourages students to "do good," but fails to generate original scholarship or social change. In this article, we argue that service-learning gives geographers the opportunity to challenge these critiques, by demonstrating the practical…

This paper provides a commentary on the "condition" of geography education research as a field of study. It does so partly through a comparative discussion with another subject field in education, mathematics. In the context of fragility and comparative weakness of research in geography education, the paper urges researchers to keep focused on…

Presents a senior British academic's perspectives on geography's major concerns, priorities, and objectives. Topics include: geography as a discipline; structure and divisions of academic labor; teaching versus research; and future transformations. (TRS)

This article evaluates geography as an appropriate home for environmental education. First, it argues that many geographers have defined geography as a discipline with a major, if not primary, interest in human-environment interactions. Next, it reviews the recent statements by non-geographer, environmental scholars that, directly or indirectly,…

The current debates about cultural geography fall into three categories: (1) arguments for the convergence of cultural and spatial geography; (2) arguments against current reports of the disappearance of culture as a result of increased cultural divergence; and (3) attempts at the reconstruction of culture theory to conform with generally valid…

Argues a global perspective is inherent to all geographic research and education. Quotes several influential geographers concerning their views on globalism and geography as a discipline. Examines geography's five fundamental themes and their applicability to a global perspective. Considers roles geographers can play in solving world environmental…

Demonstrates, through the example of older retail districts in Oregon, how tourism promotional literature can be used for the study of places. Presents survey results on the thematic orientation of tourism promotion (historic, authentic, etc.) and includes three case studies of tourism development in Oregon. (GEA)

The way in which the concept of a paradigm came to be associated with geographical studies in the Anglo-American tradition is discussed. The validity of the concept in relation to geography is examined, and whether geographical studies can be encompassed within the purview of one paradigm is assessed. (Author/RM)

What might geography in "the universities" look like if geographers seriously confronted the growing dichotomy between research and teaching? This challenge goes to the heart of "the university" as a site of learning. The authors argue that the globalizing character of higher education gives urgency to re-charting the…

This paper addresses three questions related to cultural geography--(1) do cultural geographers have a serious interest in culture theory? (2) is there some indication in the ways in which cultural geographers have traditionally approached their subject which has given rise to an apparent lack of concern with the implications of culture theory?…

Contends that the inclusion of geography in comprehensive social studies reduced the effectiveness of geography teacher training and acted to promote geographic illiteracy in America. (MS)

Reports on a method of teaching ethics as a complex web of relationships. Used ethically vexing anecdotes elicited from practicing geographers to develop a computer-based tutorial package that allows students to interact with these anecdotes. Cautions against using this format alone in ethical instruction. (DSK)

Although its development has not been regular, geography in Poland is now well organized, in both teaching and research, and has a fairly good international reputation. In spite of some resource problems in the development of research, the presence of geography in higher education seems assured. (Author)