JC Human Geography

In class, we learned about grids, maps, and time zones. Geography-The study of where things are found on Earth's surface and the reasons for the locations. Humans ask TWO simple questions.      1) Where are people and activities found on Earth?      2) Why are the found there? Answer?      THE MAP!           Two dimensional image of Earth's surface, or a portion of it Maps have two purposes      1) Absolute + Relative location      2) Communications tool           a) Convey activity + Physical features Absolute locations      1) Position as expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds of latitude and longitude           a) 1/360 = 1 degree           b) 1 degree into 1/60 = 1 minute           c) 1 minute into 1/60 = 1 second           d) latitude = north and south           e) longitude = east and west      2) Specific, or exact location Relative locations      1) Regional position/situation of place relative to position of other plac

Today in class, we learned about situations Situations are a valuable way to indicate location for two reasons. 1) Situation helps us find an unfamiliar place by comparing its location with a familiar one 2) Situation helps us understand the importance of a location. For example, some places are important because they are accessible to other places due to their location

In class today, we learned about sites. Geographers describe locations by site. The characteristics of a site is the climate, water source, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation. All geography is unique, because no piece of land is exactly the same as another. Humans also have the ability to modify characteristics of a site by constructing buildings. Because of these man-made sites, the southern portion of NYC Manhattan Island is twice as large today as it was in 1626. Even though these man-made sites are great for giving people places to live as well as giving them jobs, there are also a lot of negatives. These sites destroy environments and habitats for animals.

During class today, we reviewed our excellence test and discussed what the exams are like. We reviewed the questions and debated whether Socrates was guilty or not. Only 4 people in our class have voted guilty. I voted not guilty.

Contrast Mercator - Standard map - Most commonly used - Not proportionally accurate      - Alaska is supposed to be smaller than the continental U.S      - Greenland is supposed to be much smaller that Africa      - Antarctica is supposed to be much smaller *The proportional inaccuracy makes other continents, such as Africa, to look smaller and more inferior compared to others. It makes the United States look more powerful due to its size. to some people, it is considered racist.* - Each country is a different color - Inflates size of objects away from equator - Created by Gerardus Mercator (1569) - Used for navigation      - straight lines on Mercator is a line of constant bearing      - enables a navigator to plot a straight line course - Not suited for general world maps Peters Projection - Not used by others - More proportionally accurate to globe      - Africa is much bigger      - Greenland is smaller      - Etc. - Each continent

During class today, we learned about maps. We observed three different maps and took notes on it. On the United States map, there were different colors for the states to differentiate each state. There were labeled roads, lakes, and rivers. On the Mercator map, each country was a different color. On it, there was a compass and key. The oceans were also labeled. The last map we learned about, was the Peter's Projection map. It is actually the most accurate world map in the sense that it is more proportionally correct, however, people rarely use it. The most common map we use is the Mercator map. The Peter's Projection map shows an accurate representation of the sizes of the continents and countries. For example, Africa is much larger than the United States, but in the Mercator map, they are roughly the same size. In the Peter's Projection map, Africa is more than twice the size of the U.S.

The quiz we just took in Human Geography was easy for me. There were a few questions that I was a little bit unsure about, but I think I pulled through. The first essay question was easy I think. It was about Socrates' trial and death. He was on trial for corruption of the youth and impiety I believe. He was then executed by hemlock poison, after throwing away his shot at escaping. The second essay question, however, was harder. It was a very opinion based essay, so I'm not too sure how I did. Overall I think that I did pretty well, but I'm not so sure. I guess I'll just find out when he hands the quizzes back.

During class today, we reviewed for our quiz tomorrow. It will cover most everything that we have learned thus far, including "A Message to Garcia", Ancient Greece, Socrates, and some vocabulary. We tried guessing some of the questions that might be on the test, such as, "When was 'A Message to Garcia' published?", "How did Socrates die?", and "What is the definition of 'perihelion'?" I really hope that I'm ready for this quiz.

In Human Geo class today, we learned more about Ancient Greece. They created the first democracy and knew that democracy encouraged excellency, and excellency encouraged democracy. We also learned about a man named Socrates. He was a stonemason and fought in the Peloponnese War. His working class background as well as his battlefield experiences shaped his view of the world. He taught his young students, and asked them questions to help them determine their underlying beliefs and knowledge on certain subjects. However, this did not bode well with others. They believed that he was corrupting their children with his beliefs. He was charged with two crimes. Impiety, and corruption of the youth. During his trial, he stayed loyal to his beliefs. He said that it was his job to be gadfly to the lazy horse, Athens. While in prison, he had the chance to escape, however, he refused to because the people had voted for him to be executed, so he thought to stay loyal to the democracy. He was then e

Agora-(in ancient Greece) a public open space used for assemblies and markets. Polis- a city state in ancient Greece, especially as considered in its ideal form for philosophical purposes. - Megara - Athens - Sparta - Troy - Corinth The importance of the year 508 BC to the ancient Greeks: - Democracy is introduced to Athens by Cleisthenes  - (The Father of Athenian Democracy) Socractes: - Greek philosopher.  - One of founders of Western philosophy.  - First moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought. Socrates' Death: - Died 399 BC - imprisoned      - disrespected the gods (believed other things)      - Impressing younger population to be smart (Corruption) - He was poisoned (execution) Socratic method: - A.K.A Elenchus,  elenctic method, Socratic Debate - cooperative argumentative  dialogue - getting a point over without arguing unhealthily - questioning somebody without revealing your own opinion - used to clarify another's bel

At Human Geo today, we reviewed the The Message to Garcia. In summary, there is a man named Rowan. He was tasked with delivering a message from President Williams McKinley to Garcia. He did this with no questions asked. Throughout the paper, Elbert Hubbard has expressed how he believes that many people have become lazy, incompetent, and incredibly stupid. He even crosses a line by saying that if someone is like that, than he would fire them, beat them with a stick, or kick them with thick soled boots. Although he is very extreme with his beliefs, he is right with how people are procrastinators. He says that an assistant, would ask questions or try to get out of whatever they are told to do, even though it is literally their job to do these things. The Message to Garcia is an essay that Elbert Hubbard is most known for. The book for this has sold over 40 million copies, it was made into two movies, and "deliver a message to Garcia" was even a common slang phrase that was used

At human geo today, we mostly talked about how high school is the hardest stage of your learning. First of all, there's the transition from middle school to high school. In middle school, the work was comparatively so much easier. Honestly, all I did in my social studies class was listen to Hamilton songs, watch The Bee Movie, and some other movie with Nicholas Cage. There's also the fact that you need to work on time management. There are so many sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities that take up so much time. We also read a Message to Garcia. It took place in 1899 after the American and Mexican War, where America won, claiming Cuba and the Philippines.

The best part of my day was when I met new people and friends, as well as seeing some familiar faces. The worst part of my day was trying to get used to waking up at 5:30 A.M. Personally, I like my seat for Human Geography because I can see and hear what is being taught without having to deal with the anxiety of being in the front of the class.