Geography Commons^™

Systems Approach In Physical Geography, Hubert B. Stroud

The Geographical Bulletin

The concept of a system is not new and the emergence of systems analysis in academia has caused controversy over the significance of this approach as a viable means of scientific analysis. Some geography scholars feel that the use of systems analysis would definitely put us on the research frontier,1 while others view the term " systems" as nothing more than jargon. Nevertheless, the simplest definition for system is " a set of interrelated elements." The demand for the systems approach arose because scholars in a number of disciplines recognized in their own research that individual components of a problem …

The American State Capital, A Twentieth Century Growth Pole, Frederick A. Hirsch

The Geographical Bulletin

A fall-out of our avoidance of " capes and bays" geography has been a " benign neglect" of political capitals. In addition to the mental block arising from past tedious memorizations of their existence has been a second factor of sparseness of cases. The United States with fifty state capitals has more than the number of capitals in most of the other federally organized sovereignties. The scientifically oriented among academic geographers have preferred to analyze phenomena in greater abundance such as central places or stream beds.

Utilization Of Plat Books For Determination Of The Rural-Urban Fringe, Douglas J. Kocher

The Geographical Bulletin

This paper has as its purpose the identification of the Valparaiso, Indiana rural-urban fringe' through an analysis of property boundary changes as evidence in county plat books. It is designed to test two hypotheses dealing with the nature of Valparaiso expansion and subdivision of land : one, greater urban expansion of Valparaiso will tend to be linear in nature and in the direction of major industrial areas and population centers; and two, the subdivision of land will show a marked increase with time as the urban area expands.

City Structure And City Change: A System Analysis Approach, A. Y. Abu-Ayyash

The Geographical Bulletin

The structure of the city and the transformation processes which generate changes in its structure have fascinated intellectuals from many disciplines. Sociologists are mainly concerned with the social structure and the demographic characteristics of the inhabitants of the city as a base for understanding its structure. Economists are concerned with economic forces in terms of locational competition as the main reasons for the changing structure of the city. Engineers are concerned with the architecture of the city.

Editor's Comments, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

With the recent proliferation of periodicals which cater to geographers, it is probably a satisfaction for an editor to know that his periodical is still in business. At the recent annual meeting of Gamma Theta Upsilon the intent was clear on the part of the Executive Committee to stay in business. That is gratifying. But most satisfaction comes with the publication of this volume. You really are never aware of the breadth and depth of the articles offered until an index is made. A review of the index to volumes 1-6 show a considerable range of topics for our readers …

Cover And Forewords, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Cover and Forewords

Volume 8. Complete Issue, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 8 Complete Issue

Methodology In The Natural And Social Sciences And Its Relationship To Geography, James T. Lorell

The Geographical Bulletin

Various methodologies are utilized in science in the achievement of these goals. Wellman concludes, "in the determination of cause and effect relations, scientific methods are indispensable, but there is no one scientific method which is inherently superior to others. We are gradually coming to realize that there is no one best method for all problems, but rather that research procedure calls for the finding of a blend of methods that is adapted to our particular problem "2

A Review Of Some Research Paradigms And Problems In Social-Science Research Of Interest To Contemporary Geography, Richard J. Newcombe

The Geographical Bulletin

The purpose of this paper is to contrast research methods in use in the Biological and Physical Sciences with those in use in the Social Sciences, and to do so in a manner which emphasizes aspects of these methods of interest to Geographers. Attention is directed to the strengths and weaknesses of different research paradigms with respect to problems which are characteristic of social science subject matter. Many of these problems take a different form or are absent in the older disciplines in which most of the research types reviewed have their origins.

Thoughts And Observations Concerning The Future Of Geomorphic And Soils Research*, David Stiller

The Geographical Bulletin

Geomorphology is today challenged as it has never been challenged before. The days of Davis and Penck, acknowledged giants of the past, are gone. The time when description of the earth's surface features is sufficient unto itself is in its final days. For the most part, those who would be geomorphologists have had to find a newer, more relevant rationale. Many have investigated those processes which shape our earth-and perhaps this is as it should be.

Malaria In Mexico, C. Johnson

The Geographical Bulletin

The traditional picture of Mexico, at least to the average tourist, is never complete without a peon, in sombrero and serape, sleeping in the noonday sun, or putting off to manana whatever physical exertion is required. Actually, when seriously considered, this picture is found to be a myth, no more representative of the Mexican than the traditional cowboy or gangster image is of the American. What is interesting in the image of the peon, however, is that he is an excellent example of a population debilitated by malaria. To most North Americans, the existence of endemic malaria in an industrialized, …

A Rainy Day (Response To Topophilia), Brian Oyck

The Geographical Bulletin

It is raining again. Your penetrating wet coat Caresses the body of the bare penurious trees With warmth and love. Your pendant ringlets tinkle In the calm morning freshness Proclaiming life With each trivial drop. Slithering from leaf to stem Your comforting arms Encompass the lonesome trees With a fleece of regenerating security. And even though you are cursed and blessed, You feel no pain or lust but Reside in your commitment To give what you have Allowing life to continue. It is raining again.

The Field Trip: Living Geography, Lawrence R. Handle

The Geographical Bulletin

A necessary skill of the geographer is the ability to observe and correlate in the landscape what the classroom is and is not able to teach. Fieldwork and the field trip, as carried on by the individual or a group, become the means of learning geographical concepts by direct observation of the landscape. The field trip may be of varying length, a walking tour, or a driving trip of 10 to 2,500 miles, and of varying intent and scope. It may be single-purpose, such as to study the CBD, industry, or residences; or multipurpose, to study combinations of landscape patterns, …

Shqiptari: The Origins And Distribution Of Population In Albania, G. Philip Curti

The Geographical Bulletin

From a hearthland in the eastern Caucasus, the Albanians migrated by two routes and three waves. The Gheg moved north of the Black Sea to the Illyrian culture area, and the Tosc through Anatolia. Modern censuses of the People's Republic of Albania are improving in content and accuracy and population movement over the decade 1960-1969 shows marked trends towards urbanization concentrated in the rrathe of Vlore, Berat, Lushnje, Durres and Tirane. The old are left in the highlands, and despite wartime losses, males still outnumber females.

Editor's Comments, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 8 represents a variety of interests expressed by competent geographers. Two articles deal with general observations regarding the state of geographic research; one treats in essay form the perceived need for further work in soils research; two represent thorough research dealing with widely divergent topics; and one discusses some of the details of a basic technique-field tripping. Finally, you will find the Bulletin's first attempt at poetry. We liked it, and after all, the alternative was no poetry at all. And wouldn't that be dreary? The editor's chair is one place for a different type of reflection than one …

No. 40: Migrant Shelters And Food Insecurity In Mexico City And Its Metropolitan Area During The Covid-19 Lockdown, Fernanda Vázquez-Vela, Guénola Capron

Migration and Food Security (MiFOOD) Network

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically exacerbated vulnerabilities among migrant populations globally, and Mexico was no exception. This paper examines the experiences of four migrant shelters in Mexico City and its metropolitan area during the pandemic lockdown, highlighting how these institutions responded to the twin challenges of public health and food insecurity. The study draws on ethnographic and documentary research to analyse the coping strategies developed by managers and volunteers at the four shelters. These shelters serve diverse and particularly vulnerable groups, including undocumented migrants, women and children fleeing violence, and members of the LGBTTIQ+ community. Despite facing increased demand, reduced donations, …

Leukemia And Thyroid Cancer In Relation To Reca Boundaries, Cora Marinos

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

A total of 1,054 test were conducted by the United States between 1945 and 1992. This is more Atomic tests than all other countries combined. Of those tests 928 were conducted at the Nevada Test Site located 65 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada.

These tests spread nuclear fallout throughout the United States causing the people in nearby communities to become sick. The public outcry spurred the passing of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in 1990 (RECA) It’s scope of coverage was broaded in 2000. Despite many groups fighting for further expansion, the Act expired in June of 2024.

Of the …

To Protect The Sky From Falling, Charles Lambert

Theses and Dissertations

Using ceramic, found objects, metal and wood, my practice is a meditation and questioning of care, efficiency, repair, structure and place. Architectural elements of support rendered in clay are the initial point of entry to give a soft, lived-in quality to a built environment that is often devoid of the mark of the hand and body. Imprints of the hand are left, and the objects are often deformed in ways to subvert the perceived functionality. The focus on ceramics centers around a play with the binary of soft and hard and the external changes that create its transformation. The work …

Home On The Road: Nomad Place Identities In The Vanlife Movement, Megan Twomey

Geography Honors Projects

Living in a van in America is often viewed negatively by wider society, indicating the vandweller is homeless and is living in a van as a form of survival. Yet, in recent years living in a van has become aspiration and desirable as more people discover vanlife as a means of escape from mainstream society to travel and enjoy nature all while posting on social media. The movement first gained traction in 2011 when Foster Huntington shared the first #vanlife post on Instagram, since then it has exploded in popularity creating a countercultural movement of mobile Americans living by their …

Heartache In The Heartland: Unraveling The Social Roots Of Deaths Of Despair In Kentucky, Lyndsey K. Blair, Madeline M. Tomlinson, Michele Abee-Biskis, Jessica Hume, Gabri Warren

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Deaths of despair (DoD), encompassing suicides, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver diseases, have emerged as a critical public health crisis in the United States, with their rise particularly pronounced from 1995 to 2013 and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kentucky, grappling with high rates of substance use disorder, poor mental health, and economic hardship, is at the forefront of this issue, particularly in its rural and Appalachian regions.

Purpose: This study explores the social determinants contributing to DoD in Kentucky, focusing on economic and social factors that influence rising rates of suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol-related liver disease. The …