|
|
|
| This website is intended to record opinions regarding
the reinstatement of a Geography Major and Minor at the University of
Houston. A movement has developed in which students are taking an active roll to push for a complete geography program. Please post your comments as well as any questions you may
have. (Allow at least 24 hours for your comments to post) |
ADD COMMENTS |
|
Forum Comments: |
|
I just returned from the Southwest Texas St. Univ. Geography Alumni Reunion and what a program SWT has.
It is truly tragic that UofH has chosen not to continue their geography
program. - Buck Buchanan 4/22/01 |
|
I'm a former student of Dr. Doran my experience with him has been both challenging and enlightening. I consider his contribution to my education a pivotal asset to continuing and now finishing my degree. - Kirsten Haas 4/15/01 |
|
UH should definately have a geography department - it is absurd that we don't have one now.
- Merci Bartlett 4/15/01 |
|
Geography to me is people's eyes to the universe. It creates a dream place
in your mind. A place where you can imagine the color of the Blue Nile, the
strength of Niagara Falls, the height and whiteness of Mount Everest, a
place to dream of Nepal, The Yellow River in China, Patagonia, The Andes, etc.
Geography opens the doors to see that the whole universe is made of more
than people and freeways like in the USA. It broadens the horizons, and it
shows the contents of the world (not just Earth, but other universes through a glass so transparent that people can see the imaginary
lines that determine borders between countries, dots of light between
planets, the points where water bodies merge, and every single creature big
and small.
Without geography, people will be blind and invaded by a blanket of
ignorance.
USA is not alone in the world, and people need to understand that there is
more thatn the 4 corners of their town. They need to see what is out there,
and the only way to see it is by studying and learning Geography. USA is a
world power, the richest country in the world (in terms of money and
materialistic things), yet the poorest of all in terms of education,
especially in elementary and high school. How can they not teach Geography?
Worst of all, if the school system is so narrow-minded that it cannot see the
importance of such a subject, how could universities not offer it at all,
or even close the existing departments?
With these comments, I would like to close, but not without expressing my
final thought. How is the USA going to compete in the world market and have
a place among the rest of societies on earth, if its people don't even know
that there is more than just their little towns?
- Magdalena Fischer 3/15/01 |
|
Geography -Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines geography as "a
science (my emphasis) that deals with the description, distribution, and
interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of
the earth's surface". This is a subtle understatement that belies the
critical importance that the knowledge of geography has with respect to the
understanding of the geopolitical forces that are exponentially shaping the
future politics and economics of our world. To relegate geography to any
other position than within the leading rank of study as a cornerstone of our
education, is not merely a disservice, it is a serious error in judgment. If
we as a country wish not only to maintain our present leading role in the
world, but also to continue to strengthen it, we need both a citizenry that
is literate in geography, as well as a field of professionals with intimate
knowledge of its ever changing aspects.
- Peter Fischer 3/9/01 |
|
During my last two semesters at U of H, I attended 4 geography courses and a research practicum in Grenada, West Indies. I feel that without these courses, my college education would have been less than complete. In fact, at my moment of graduation, I seriously considered furthering my studies in the field of geography. I learned more about world politics, economics, and cultures than I had throughout all of my previous education. And I absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, U of H does not offer a geography program for those interested in taking the field up as a career. Those interested in the field of geography must transfer to UT or A&M. I find this surprising considering that Houston is a major center for oil industries which focus on the interpretation and analysis of global information. U of H is only holding its students back from the opportunity for a most challenging and successful career as a geographer.
- Daniel Fischer 2/24/01 |
|
I think a lot of Americans don't know or don't care about other
countries. Much of history had to do with geography. Geographical
education has helped shape the world. U of H would be cheating its
students if it did not reinstate its geography program.
- Kirsten Fanker 2/24/01 |
|
Para mi es muy importante porque desde forma yo puedo aprender
mucho acerca de la vida de America, como sus costumbres y la forma de
penar que algunas veces es muy diferente a mi pais. La geografia que tu
puedes obtener a cerca de America te puede llevar a que tu puedas
conoce muchas costumbres geograficas, economicas y politicas. De tal forma que
tu puedas adaptar mas facil a sus costumbres y su vida historica en si.
America tiene un sin numero de historia donde uno puede aprender y
crecer en su formacion personal. En sintesis lo que puedo anadir es que
poder saber y aprender un poco de la geografia Americana es que me podria
ayudar y ayudar
latinoamericana que la historia geografica es muy importante, si tu te
quieres adecuar a este pais.
- Cecilia Moreno 2/24/01 |
|
As our society becomes more global, it is necessary, even
crucial, for university students to study about the world. I am amazed and
apalled every day at how secluded we, as Americans, have become. This
field of study must become a priority in order for university students
to get a true and holistic education.
- Amy Acosta 2/24/01 |
|
American students should take more classes about geography
because, from my experience, a very high percentage of people in the United
States don't know very much about other parts of the world. They
concentrate only on their own nation. This is bad because you can learn
from different cultures. This is how you can define what is good and bad
because every culture has something good and bad. This is how you grow
as a society. When people think that they don't need to know about
other countries, this only hurts them as a society because it will
minimize their experience and learning process. For example, most American
people think that the 3rd world countries have a low percentage of
educated people which is very wrong. The percentage of higher educated
people in 3rd world countries is almost the same and higher in most of them
than the United STates. Only through the study of Geography can we
learn about humanity.
- Wesam Elkot 2/24/01 |
|
As a nation, one of the most important things for us to
consider during this time period is that we are members of a global economy.
No longer can we concern ourselves merely with the goings-on of our
nation. Geography is not only fundamental, but more than that, it is
essential that we place geography, and the understanding and integration of
cultural and world differences as an essential part of modern
education. Only through incorporating the facet of geography can we hope to
continue to compete, integrate, and understand the global economy and unite
ourselves as members of the world, transcending above our identity as
merely members of our own particular nation. The University of Houston
should honor the integrity of its students and grant them the
opportunity to expand their cultural and global horizons through a professional
geography program.
- Rachel Eddins 2/24/01 |