Overview
This lecture covers the objects of study in geography, distinguishing between material and formal objects, and introduces core approaches that set geography apart from other sciences.
Objects of Study in Geography
- Geography originally focused on Earth's surface features like weather, mountains, and oceans.
- The field now also examines the relationship between natural phenomena and humans.
- There are two main geographical objects: material objects and formal objects.
Material Objects
- Material objects are real, observable elements of the geosphere.
- Geosphere phenomena include the atmosphere (air), lithosphere (rocks), pedosphere (soil), biosphere (plants and animals), hydrosphere (water), and anthroposphere (humans).
Formal Objects
- Formal objects refer to approaches or methods for understanding geosphere phenomena.
- Geography's formal object focuses on causes and study methods for surface phenomena.
- The perspective (approach) in geography distinguishes it from other sciences.
Core Geographical Approaches
- Three main approaches: spatial, environmental, and complex regional.
- The spatial approach studies the distribution of phenomena (e.g., where elephants live).
- The environmental approach examines interactions between phenomena and their environment (e.g., how elephants affect their habitat).
- The complex regional approach combines spatial and environmental methods to study larger-scale impacts.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Material Object — tangible, real elements studied in geography, found in the geosphere.
- Formal Object — approaches or perspectives used to understand geosphere phenomena.
- Geosphere — all natural events and elements on Earth's surface, including air, rocks, soil, water, living things, and humans.
- Spatial Approach — studying the distribution of phenomena in space.
- Environmental Approach — examining the interactions between phenomena and their environment.
- Complex Regional Approach — integrating spatial and environmental perspectives across regions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review definitions of material and formal objects in geography.
- Memorize the three core approaches and examples of each.