Sheep Among Wolves Publishing

The Case for Geography

By Courtenay October 12, 2021 Geography, The Homeschooling Room

If I’m perfectly honest, the case for geography was actually the most difficult of the “Case for . . .” posts to write. But it’s still a case just waiting to be made!Today we’re going to take a look at the case for geography. If I’m perfectly honest, the case for geography has actually been the most difficult of the “Case for . . .” posts to write—maybe because I grew up learning geography as a supplement to other topics, maybe just because I’m more of a history-and-literature person, and geography feels too much like a science to be particularly relatable.

However, as I dug into this less-glamorous topic I found that yes, indeed, there is a case for geography just waiting to be made!

If I’m perfectly honest, the case for geography was actually the most difficult of the “Case for . . .” posts to write. But it’s still a case just waiting to be made!1) Geography Puts Our World in Context

This globe we call earth is an incredibly complex and many-faceted place. But due to the limits of our own experiences, most of us have first-hand knowledge of only the tiniest fraction of this vast world.

Geography helps a student put their life—their city—their country—their hemisphere—into a global context. Why do you need to sit on a plane for almost six hours to get from New York to Los Angeles, even though you can get from Minot to San Antonio in just five? Why does Florida get sunshine when Denver is buried in snow? Why is the Upper Nile further south than the Lower?

Geography answers these, and thousands of other questions, by putting the individual pieces of our experience into the world context in which they exist.

2) Geography Opens Historical and Cultural Contexts

Just as geography gives context to our own contemporary experience, so too it gives context to both history and culture as well.

The events of time take place in space. In fact, in the majority of cases, this element of space has been a hugely determining factor in what took place at all. Wars are fought, kingdoms are established, discoveries are made, cultures are built, all within the framework of a physical, geographic context.

Britannia doesn’t rule the waves, if the United Kingdom happens to be landlocked. Napoleon doesn’t cross the Alps if Italy is divided from the rest of Europe by a dessert—or a river—or a Mediterranean Ocean.

Geography, quite simply, plays an integral and inalienable role in the study of history and culture, past and present.

3) Geography Equips Students to Approach the Climate Debate

Regardless of your opinion on the climate debate, it is obviously a heavily-charged subject in our current world. Our understanding of the earth, its features, and the systems at play on those features, will naturally have a significant impact on our view of this issue.

In fact, before a student can discuss the concept of climate change, it is necessary for them to have a solid concept of what the word climate even stands for in the first place. Geography introduces students to this multifaceted topic as they study not only the earth’s physical surface, but the way heat, cold, weather patterns and more collide with, and even define, natural features around the globe.

Runner-Up Argument: Geography Encourages Map Reading

Yes, yes, I know. Laugh if you want to—after all, it’s the runner-up argument. But map reading, like many other convenient talents, is not something that comes by intuition.

I am the last person to grumble about GPS. I love being told where to turn, and where to go straight, and how to get to a destination one step at a time. But it is also true that these types of luxuries are decreasing our familiarity with maps. And that, if nothing else, is a bit of a shame, just because maps are wonderful devices for empowering confidence, independence, a clear sense of direction, and other problem-solving navigational skills.

My Verdict on the Case for Geography

Does geography deserve a place in our school curriculum? In my opinion, it certainly does!

I would add one caveat to that, however. Just as geography is a priceless tool in establishing context, so it is virtually meaningless without having a context in which to be applied. Incorporating geography into your history and/or social studies curriculum is an effective technique, especially for the younger grades. By combining geography with another subject, you make both more meaningful!

Are you looking for some fun ways to start your geographical journey? Take a look at our previous post:

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