GEOG 103 Week 5 Discussion

GEOG 103 Week 5 Discussion | Canvas University 

Service and Settlement Forum

Learning Outcomes:

·         Explain and apply the basic concepts, terminology, tools, and scope of geography, including scale, region, location, distance, global distribution and diffusion.  Students will need to understand terminology and basic concepts in order to give examples of range and threshold, market area analysis and Central Place Theory.

·         Explain the basic nature and history of human/cultural geography as a branch of geography and the connections with other social and natural sciences. Students will be able to explain the connection of GIS (a related social science) with human geography by effectively answering how businesses can use census data and how GIS is or is not a worthwhile tool in market area analysis.  

·         Describe global spatial patterns of economic activities, land use and economic development, including inequalities, diversity, and sustainability of modern societies.  Students will meet this learning outcome when they effectively answer whether primate cities could be referenced as mega cities as well as when answering the 'dark" and interesting proposal by Walter Christaller.

Directions: Answer one of the following 4 questions by Tuesday 11:59pm.  If 9 students have answered the same question, the question is out of play and you will have to choose another question from the list to answer.  Besides your initial post, do not forget your response post due by Thursday 11:59 pm.

1)     The Central Place Theory was developed by a German geographer Walter Christaller in 1933.  Discuss two problems with the assumptions made by the Central Place Theory and explain why these assumptions prevent the Central Place Theory from being successful in all geographic areas?

2)      Give examples of how GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is used in market area analysis.  With the information you have found and cited from this session, is GIS  a worthwhile tool for businesses to employ?

3)      Could primate cities be referenced as mega cities?  Why or why not?

4)      Give an example of a range and threshold of a service in your area. How can businesses use census data to determine the range and threshold? What are problems with using GIS data to determine range and threshold?