GEOG 1017: Human Geography in A Globalizing World

16 January-29 April 2023 (Class Suspension: 23-28 January; Reading Week: 6-11 March 2023)
Webpage: http://geog.hku.hk/undergrad/geog1017

Lecture: Wednesday 10:30am-12:20

Zoom (https://hku.zoom.us/j/96854817645?pwd=MVZkbU1iUmJySWxZM1ZralpubDcyQT09 )
Meeting ID: 968 5481 7645; Password: 752446824

Lecturer: Prof. George Lin (Office: 1006, 10/F, Jockey Club Tower; Tel: 3917-7023)
E-mail: gcslin@hku.hk; Website: https://www.geog.hku.hk/gcs-lin

TAs: Mr. Roland Cheng hlroland@hku.hk (Rm 926, JCT, Tel: 3917-5722);
Ms. Mengdi Wu mengdiwu@connect.hku.hk (Rm 825, JCT);
Ms Xiaofeng Liu liu6xf@connect.hku.hk (Rm 825, JCT)

Course Synopsis:
This is an introductory course about the location, growth, and spatial transformation of human
activities in a globalizing world. Important subjects to be discussed will include the main themes of
human geography as a spatial science, geography of population and migration, technological
innovation and cultural diffusion, the changing cultural landscape, and human impacts upon the natural
environment. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction between human society and the natural
environment. The purpose is to provide students with the knowledge essential to understanding the
patterns, processes and problems of human-environment interaction in the era of globalization.

Lecture Topics:
1. Introduction: Themes and Fundamentals of Human Geography
2. Human Geography and Volatile Globalization
3. Human Population: Growth and Spatial Distribution
4. Human Migration: Causes and Consequences
5. Human Settlements: Location, Growth and Transformation
6. Human Culture: Languages and Religions
7. Human Economic Development: Measurement and Explanation
8. Human Impacts upon the Natural Environment

Assessment:
Examination (two hours) 50%
Coursework (Due on 22th March 2023) 50%

Textbook:
Bjelland, M.D., Montello, D.R., and Getis, A. (2020) Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities. New York: McGraw-Hill.

References:
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. (2016) Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Boston: Pearson.
Domosh, M., Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. (2015) Contemporary human geography: culture,
globalization, landscape. New York: Freeman.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. (2009) Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey.

Available at HKU Library under 3-hour reserved searchable through the “Reading List” tab
https://julac-hku.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/852JULAC_HKU/lists/18333877060003414?auth=SAML
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 COURSEWORK
(You are given the freedom to choose either Project 1 or Project 2)
(Due on 22th March 2023 by 5:00pm; -5% per day penalty will apply for any late submission)

Project 1
The purpose of this project is to analyze the spatial variation of population growth and its relationship
with the level of economic development in China at the provincial level. You are provided with a
boundary map of provincial China and a table showing relevant statistical data for you to analyze.

1. Calculate a) birth rate and b) level of economic development as measured by per capita GDP
for every province;
2. Arrange your calculated birth rates for the Chinese provinces either in an ascending or
descending order, divide them into four categories of an equal interval, and then draw a map
using four different colours or patterns to show the spatial variation of birth rate;
3. Repeat Step 2 to draw a map showing the spatial variation of economic development as
measured by per capita GDP;
4. Compare and contrast the two maps you have created and identify the relationship between the
spatial variation of birth rate and level of economic development;
5. Write a short essay of about 2,000 words to a) identify and explain the pattern of the geography
of population growth and spatial variation of economic development in provincial China; b)
identify and explain the relationship between population growth and economic development in
provincial China.
Hand in your essay along with the two maps you have created and the worksheets.

Project 2
The purpose of this project is to analyze the spatial variation of air pollution as measured by Sulfur
Dioxide (SO2) emission and its relationship with the level of economic development in China at the
provincial level. You are provided with a boundary map of provincial China and a table showing
relevant statistical data for you to analyze.

1. Calculate a) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission intensity in tons per million yuan GDP and b) level
of economic development as measured by per capita GDP for every province;
2. Arrange your calculated SO2 emission intensity for the Chinese provinces either in an
ascending or descending order, divide them into four categories of an equal interval, and then
draw a map using four different colours or patterns to show the spatial variation of SO2
emission intensity;
3. Repeat Step 2 to draw a map showing the spatial variation of economic development as
measured by per capita GDP;
4. Compare and contrast the two maps you have created and identify the relationship between the
spatial variation of SO2 emission intensity and level of economic development;
5. Write a short essay of about 2,000 words to a) identify and explain the pattern of the geography
of air pollution as indicated by the SO2 emission and spatial variation of economic development
in provincial China; b) identify and explain the relationship between SO2 emission intensity
and level of economic development in provincial China.
Hand in your essay along with the two maps you have created and the worksheets.

***WARNING: Plagiarism will lead to immediate failure and university disciplinary actions
http://www.hku.hk/plagiarism You are requested to produce a “Turn It In” report through Moodle to ensure that
your essay is an original piece of work that does not plagiarize. Please DO visit the webpage
http://geog.hku.hk/undergrad/studyskills.htm for guidance and information.

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Figure 1. Administrative map of 31 province-level regions in China

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 Table 1. Original data for 31 province-level regions in China
Total population Births GDP SO2 emission
Provinces
(million) (person) (billion yuan) (1000 ton)
Beijing 19.62 146750 1411.4 115.1
Tianjin 12.99 106282 922.4 235.2
Hebei 71.94 950994 2039.4 1233.8
Shanxi 35.74 381715 920.1 1249.2
Inner
24.72 229913 1167.2 1394.1
Mongolia
Liaoning 43.75 292243 1845.7 1022.2
Jilin 27.47 217256 866.8 356.3
Heilongjiang 38.33 281755 1036.9 490.2
Shanghai 23.03 162338 1716.6 358.1
Jiangsu 78.69 765687 4142.5 1050.5
Zhejiang 54.47 559357 2772.2 678.3
Anhui 59.57 756502 1235.9 532.1
Fujian 36.93 416201 1473.7 409.1
Jiangxi 44.62 612221 945.1 557.1
Shandong 95.88 1116986 3917.0 1537.8
Henan 94.05 1083510 2309.2 1338.7
Hubei 57.28 593412 1596.8 632.6
Hunan 65.70 860683 1603.8 801.3
Guangdong 104.41 1167300 4601.3 1050.5
Guangxi 46.10 651393 957.0 903.8
Hainan 8.69 127764 206.5 28.8
Chongqing 28.85 264520 792.6 719.4
Sichuan 80.45 718411 1718.5 1131.0
Guizhou 34.79 485660 460.2 1148.8
Yunnan 46.02 602810 722.4 500.7
Tibet 3.01 47514 50.7 3.9
Shaanxi 37.35 363438 1012.3 778.6
Gansu 25.60 308478 412.1 551.8
Qinghai 5.63 84112 135.0 143.4
Ningxia 6.33 89501 169.0 310.8
Xinjiang 21.85 349399 543.7 588.5

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 List of Readings and References
(Required readings are marked with *)

https://julac-hku.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/public/852JULAC_HKU/lists/15949792460003414?auth=SAML

1. Introduction: Themes and Fundamentals of Human Geography

*Robinson, J. Lewis. 1976. A new look at the four traditions of geography. Journal of Geography
75(9): 520-530.
Pattison, William D. 1964. The four traditions of geography. Journal of Geography 63: 211-216.
*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities.. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapter 1.
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 1.
Domosh, M., Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. 2015. Contemporary human geography: culture,
globalization, landscape. New York: Freeman. Chapter 1.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 1.
Whynne-Hammond, C. 1993. Elements of Human Geography. Collins Educational, London. Chapters
1 and 2.

2. Human Geography and Volatile Globalization

Dicken, P. 2011. Global Shift: Mapping the changing contours of the world economy. Guilford,
London, Chapters 1 and 2.
*Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 2.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 14.
Brenner, N., Peck, J., and Theodore, N. 2010. After Neoliberalization? Globalizations, 7(3): 327-345.
World Bank 2008. World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography. Washington
DC: World Bank. Overview, pp. 1-32.

3. Human Population: Growth and Spatial Distribution

*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities.. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapter 4.
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 3 (pp. 91-111).
Domosh, M., Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. 2015. Contemporary human geography: culture,
globalization, landscape. New York: Freeman. Chapter 3.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 2.
Whynne-Hammond, C. 1993. Elements of Human Geography. Collins Educational, London.
Chapters 3 to 5.
Jordan, T. G. and Domosh, M. 1999. The Human Mosaic: A Thematic Introduction to Cultural
Geography. Longman, New York, USA, Chapter 2.

4. Human Migration: Causes and Consequences

*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities.. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapter 3 (82-93) and Chapter 4 (116-117).
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 3 (pp. 112-126).

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Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 3.
Whynne-Hammond, C. 1993. Elements of Human Geography. Collins Educational, London. Chapt 6.

5. Human Settlements: Location, Growth and Transformation

*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapter 11.
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 11.
Domosh, M., Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. 2015. Contemporary human geography: culture,
globalization, landscape. New York: Freeman. Chapter 10.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 9.
Whynne-Hammond, C. 1993. Elements of Human Geography. Collins Educational, London,
Chapters 13 to 15.
Jordan, T. G. and Domosh, M. 1999. The Human Mosaic: A Thematic Introduction to Cultural
Geography. Longman, New York, USA, Chapters 10 and 11.

6. Human Culture: Languages and Religions

*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities.. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapters 2, 5 and 7.
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapters 5 and 6.
Domosh, M., Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. 2015. Contemporary human geography: culture,
globalization, landscape. New York: Freeman. Chapters 4 and 7.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapters 4, 6 and 7.
Jordan, T. G. and Domosh, M. 1999. The Human Mosaic: A Thematic Introduction to Cultural
Geography. Longman, New York, USA, Chapters 5 and 6.

7. Human Development: Measurement and Explanation

*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapter 10.
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 8.
Domosh, M., Neumann, R.P. and Price, P.L. 2015. Contemporary human geography: culture,
globalization, landscape. New York: Freeman. Chapter 9.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 10.
Whynne-Hammond, C. 1993. Elements of Human Geography. Collins Educational, London, Chapt 12.

8. Human Impacts on the Natural Environment

*Bjelland, M.D. Montello, D. R. and Getis, A. 2020. Human Geography: Landscapes of Human
Activities.. McGraw-Hill, New York, Chapter 13.
Knox, P. L. and Marston, S. A. 2016. Human Geography: Places and Regions in Global Context.
Pearson, Boston, Chapter 4.
Fouberg, E. H., Murphy, A.B. and de Blij, H.J. 2009. Human Geography: people, place, and culture.
Hoboken, NJ: Willey, Chapter 13.