Internet Web Site Support for Chapter III, Parts A and B of the AP Human
Geography Outline
Cultural Patterns and Processes
A. Concepts of culture
Look
here first! About.com Geography Links Page
This is a great, all around site which is one of the "must start here"
points for Geography. Lots of articles and links related to the science
and profession of geography and many other geography topics. Well worth
your trip here--the topic you are looking for will most likely be covered
in the frame at the left or by following links in the middle of the page.
Look
here second! Virtual Geography Department Project
This site from the University of Texas provides an outstanding overview
of urban geography. The site is part of a virtual course, so there are
a lot of graphs and visuals, also some interactive applications. Make this
site one of the two "must visit" sites to start your research! Topics include
course outline, materials, lists of resources on many major ideas in this
section of the AP Human Geography course.
1. Traits and complexes
Geography
of Race: Acculturation, Assimilation
This site contains information via a series of PowerPoint slide shows.
2. Diffusion
Cultural Diffusion:
Geometry
This page uses math and art to illustrate some aspects of cultural
diffusion.
Cultural
Diffusion: Indo-European Language
This is an excellent article, illustrated (maps, graphics and with
hot links) by the authors of a book on the subject. The first line of the
article reads ìMigrations and Cultural Diffusion carried the Indo-European
protolanguage from the homeland, which the authors place in the Transcaucasus
(see Historical Armenia maps), and fragmented it into dialects. ì Some
parts of the article may also be useful for understanding the diffusion
of agricultural.
Cultural Diffusion:
Mesopotamian Archtecture
A nice color timeline will greet the visitor followed by informative
text which illustrates how some ideas and methods can be traced back to
Mesopotamia.
Cultural
Diffusion: Games
The establishment of a museum is a natural outgrowth of academic research
about
games and game playing behaviors. Games reflect the cultures in which
they are
developed and played, and illustrate the cultural diffusion and interaction
of people
throughout human history.
Cultural
Diffusion: UNESCOís Culture and Development Page
Fairly high level report on indicators of world culture. Text with
hyperlinks to charts and tables. This extensive reportís goals are stated
as: The aims of the WCR are to carry out research on the interaction between
culture and development, to survey recent trends affecting
the state of cultures world-wide, constructe quantitative cultural indicators,
highlight good cultural practices and policies and analyse
specific themes of general importance accompanied by policies proposals.
Cultural Diffusion:
Types of Diffusion
This is an all text good introduction to the concept of cultural diffusion.
Cultural Diffusion:
MesoAmerican Roots
These is an article written in 1997 by David Kelly of Hamamatsu University
School of Medicine. The author uses specific examples, but points
out the generalizations which he believes can be made from the specific
examples.
Cultural Diffusion:
As an Aspect of the Plott Project
Very academic discussion of cultural diffusion on a broad scale. Lots
of hyperlinks. Scroll down to find an interesting chart which compares
Chinese, Maya and Aztec astromomical icons.
Cultural Diffusion: Gabonese
Art
Perhaps more useful to an Anthropology course, but an example of how
diffusion travels through many mediums.
Cultural
Diffusion: Trans-Saharan Trade and the West African Discovery of the Mediterranean
World
This is a paper delivered at the 3rd Nordic conference on Middle East
Studes ìEthnic Encounter and Culture Changeî in 1995.
Mean
Information Field
This site displays a geographer's tool; a figure of Mean Information
Field.
3. Acculturation
Acculturation:
Assimilation Examples
A collection of photographs
Acculturation: Assimilation--
US Hispanics
The questions, results and a graph based on four questions sent out
and responded to via email.
Acculturation:
Buddhism
This is a link out of LightSpan's (an education company) home site
to Buddhism Acculturation and spread in Asia.
Acculturation:
from Electric Library
Electric Library results of hit on acculturation. This gives a nice
definition, and links.
Acculturation
Depot
Very thorough and academic site which discusses acculturation scales
and more.
Acculturation:
Glossary and General
Excellent culture(acculturation) site with hot links, images, great
explanations.
has a nice glossary too.
Acculturation:
Instruction
Instructional site.
Acculturation and Intercultural
Identity in the Post-Modern World
Text article with hyperlinks to sources. High level reading--an overview
of acculturation and intercultural identity using the best current research.
Acculturation:
Living in the USA
This is a first hand account of what it is like to enter the USA from
a completely different culture. "My Acculturation Process", by Vien Nguy,
is a down to earth explanation of actual recent acculturation.
Acculturation:
Multicultural Adjustment
Slide show from Bradley Univ. which has a section on "phases of acculturation"
4. Cultural regions and realms
Countries,
Cultures, & Customs
This is a table of contents page with many, many links. You may have
to click through several levels. However, they are all focused on culture,
and some pages are excellent (see Iran).
Maps of India
This site has more than standard maps. You will find information and
maps on infrastructure, politics, highways, religion (nice map showing
the religious places in India) and other cultural aspects of the country.
B. Cultural differences
About.com
Geography Links Page
This is a great, all around site which is one of the "must start here"
points for Geography. Lots of articles and links related to the science
and profession of geography and many other geography topics. Well worth
your trip here--the topic you are looking for will most likely be covered
in the frame at the left or by following links in the middle of the page.
1. Language
Language of the
Land
Using maps and photographs, the Library of Congress has an exhibit
which shows the connections between America's geography and its literature.
Language Fundamentals
and Beyond
This is an extremely comprehensive site with in depth detail about
the realm of language. It contains specific sections on the fundamentals
of language and linguistics as well as provides an insight into germanic,
slavic and nonwestern languages. Each of these sections is a link, which
in turn provides information about the writing system, the phonetics, etymology,
etc. including other links for deeper understanding of the subject. In
addition, it also provides background of the historical transformation
and development of each of the languages.
50
Most Widely Spoken World Languages
Great table from an extraordinary site. Ranks the language and shows
the countries.
Languages
by Countries
Country listed in a table with the major languages.
Linguistic
Map of China
Large color map with a number-color legend depicting languages.
Linguistic Map
of India
Shows the official languages of India. A lesson link is at the top
of the page.
World
Ethnologue (languages)
This page lists the top one hundred languages in the world, and where
they are spoken. Click on the name of a country to acquire more information.
World
Language Map
Presents map depicting the different languages spoken throughout the
world, complete with a language chart that explains the language family,
and the subfamilies of each language.
World Language
Map 2
Clicking on the map will generate a chart showing all of the languages
spoken on that continent.
2. Religion
Philosophy
of Religions
This is a rather overwhelming site in light of the amount of information
and links it contains. It is broken down into the following sections: fundamentals,
mythology, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and other world religions
and it also includes a section on the philosophy of religion. Each of these
sites lead to a plethora of other links with detailed information about
the practices and beliefs, other links, historical background of the key
figures as well as outlines the connection between religion and the state.
Six Major
Religions
This site provides a short description of six of the world's most important
religions- Buddhism,, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism.
The site is not extremely comprehensive, but in short paragraphs captures
the fundamental principles of each of the religions. It provides some information
about each of the religious philosophies, the main books and the prophets/leaders
of each of the belief systems.
World
Religions
Table with alphabetic listing of countries and the main religions,
including a percentage.
3. Ethnicity
Circulation
and Hindu Pilgrimage
This is a paper on circulation and how it relates to the Hindu pilgrimage.
The two paragraphs on "Circulation In The Context of Geography" are
definitely worth reading.
Comparative
Soviet Nationalities
This site has a 1979 map which uses a legend and pie charts to show
the percentages of nationalities of the old USSR.
Ethnicity
This is an essay which provides a succinct definition of ethnicity
along with providing connections among nation, state and ethnicity as an
identity. It also provides examples of the ethnic conflicts raging in the
world today with clearly enunciated questions about the actual meaning
and implication of what an ethnic group means and its bearing to the issue
of nationalism
Ethnicity
and Race by Countries
Table with country and ethnic mix in percent.
Russian
Ethnic Groups
Large color map depicting ethnic distribution in Russia with a legend.
4. Gender
State
of Women in the World
This site offers various topics, such as women's work, seclusion, legal
abortion, government interference in fertility, gender preference, etc.
Good use of different maps as visuals.
The World's
Women 2000: Trends and Statistics
The World's Women 2000 is a U.N. statistical source-book which provides
a comprehensive analysis of how women fare in different parts of the world.
It highlights the main findings of statistical analysis on women's situation
as compared to men's worldwide in a broad range of fields---including families,
health, education, work, human rights and politics.
5. Popular and folk culture
Cultural
Landscapes from Around the World
Images which illustrate folk customs, popular culture as global culture,
and around the world with frosted flakes. All of these help reveal cultural
differentiation.
Gestures of the
World
A fun site which has world area selections followed by charts describing
cultural differences and meanings of common gestures.
Pop
Culture as Emerging "Global Culture"
Thumbnails of photos which illustrate an emerging global culture.
