This project for the fall 2021 History 200 class centered on three core concepts in geography: space (a location on the Earth’s surface), place (form of bounded space- gives space meaning), and environment (what is the context of the location? how have humans changed or adapted the physical space of the location?)
- Choose a location in consultation with the instructor.
- Evaluate the geography of that location over time based on the concepts of place and space – in effect creating a “biography” of that location.
- Consider the following: Does this space have specific place meaning? Is that meaning the same for all people who use or interact with the space? Has the space been repurposed? Is it structurally the same?
- Evaluate the relationship between humans and this location. In what ways has the space changed over your timeframe and why?
For the full assignment overview and instructions see “Location Biography Project,” Geography for Social Studies Educators. URL: https://pressbooks.ulib.csuohio.edu/csugelab/part/location-biography/.
The class was taught by Dr. Shelley Rose, Associate Professor, History Department. Special thanks to Barbara Loomis and Beth Piwkowski, Michael Schwartz Library, for curating and archiving the HIS 200 Location Biography projects.