Correlation of Geography Subject
Co-relation - within the subject and with other school subject
This is an age of co-relationship
and no subject can be taught in isolation.
It is only for convenience of study that we have spitted the knowledge
in the different subject but no subject is completely a Loof from other and it
has to be co-related with other subjects.
Modern educationist has no doubt in their mind about the fact that the teaching of a particular subject should be carried out in co-relation with other subjects. The co-relation is more between those subjects that have a common bearing. There are various types of co-relationships and every type of co-relationship has its importance in the education in different ways:
The two important types of
co-relation are: -
I) Co-relation with daily life.
II) Co-relation of geography with other subjects.
I)
Co-relation of Geography daily life - For fostering a love for
study of geography in his students the geography teacher should bring home to
his students the useful and interesting applications of knowledge of geography
in daily life. It is likely to make his
lesson more interesting, stimulating and realistic. Teacher is free to include such phenomenon
which are matters of everyday life even if these are not prescribed in the
syllabus. Teacher should make a
conscious effort to arouse the interest of his students in such applications of
geography in everyday life. A good
geography teacher can find many applications of geography in daily life and it
would be much better if he quotes examples with rural background in rural
schools and example having urban background while teaching in urban
schools. For co-relating geography with
everyday life an effort is made to make use of available community
resources. For example, a teacher can
plan a visit in some ‘Dam’ while teaching about mountains. Geography is a science as well as an art and
aims at preparing ideal and successful citizens. No aspect of human life remains untouched by
geography and every human activity has some geographical importance.
II)
Correlation of geography subject with other subjects
1. Geography and History - Geography is intimately co-related to history and in the 50’s the two subjects were taught together. In fact, they are twins, one stresses time and the other space. History studies people of different times and geography deals with the people of different places.
The two
subjects are now studied separately for convenience of study but we cannot
completely separate the two subjects.
Geography is the stage on which drama of history is enacted and it is
the geography which determines the historical events and can offer explanation
for historical actions of mankind similarly historical facts can serve as a
good basis for arousing interest in geographical studies. In explanation of historical facts the
geographical factors that are taken in to consideration are physical conditions
of the life of man, climate produce, means of communication etc. All these
factors determine the direction of human life and history is created by human
life and activities. History of each and
every country is governed by these factors. Truly speaking historical studies
devoid of geographical background would be inaccurate and unscientific.
In past ages if some countries had
succeeded in invading some other countries, it had been possible because of
geographical factors. The Himalayas was considered inviolable again because of
geographical factors. Germany had to
face defeat in Russia because of severe winter in that part of the world.
Thus, for a proper understanding
of historical events, geographical factors have to be taken into
consideration. Many a historical map has
been drawn on the basis of geographical factors. Geographical factors were the sole cause of
the downfall of many empires. The growth
of England in to a first-rate sea power can be explained if we consider the
geographical factors and geographical location of England.
2.
Geography and Political Science - In the study of Political
science the most important thing is the study of administration of a particular
unit and the problems associated with it.
There are wide differences in administration in different lands. These differences may be attributed to
difference in geographical conditions.
In some countries we find that democracy has survived very long years
which has been possible only because of geographical conditions/ factors
(e.g.as in Switzerland)
Not only the political system but
even the traditions, culture etc. are also guided by geographical
factors of a land. In the present-day
world when we are moving towards world citizenship and world government, we
have to remember the part played by geography.
One of the basic aims of geography as pointed out earlier, is the establishment
of world citizenship. To achieve this
objective, we have to give prominence to various common geographical factors.
In
many an instance a proper knowledge of geographical factors can be of much use
in solving some political problems.
Thus, we find there is much of correlation between geography &
political Science.
3. Geography and Economics - Geography is very intimately
related to Economics. This
interrelationship has led to the branches such as Economic geography. Agriculture.
Industry and other economic activity/Activities depend to a large extent
on the various geographical factors prevailing in a region e.g., the industrial
unit is generally established in an area where the raw material is available in
abundance. The wealth of a country to a
large extent depends upon various geographical factors because the wealth
generating activities industry and agriculture depend on various geographical
factors. Thus, to achieve good economic
result we must have a good geographical background. Actually, speaking in Economic geography, we
study various principles which help us in the study of economic aspects of
various geographical factors. It is not
only the availability of raw material and the production but the means of
transport and communication etc. have also to be taken in to consideration
while studying the economics of project.
Thus, we find that geography and economics are highly co-related.
4. Geography and Language - Literature is much influenced
by the geographical factors prevailing in a region. To learn a language, we must acquaint
ourselves with the geography of the area.
The description of nature and other geographical conditions of area can
be easily found to the existing literature of the area. The description of various characters in
novels, dramas, stories, etc. is influenced by the prevailing geographical
conditions. Even the dress, the dressing
style etc. of a region are also governed by various geographical factors. All such descriptions are available in literature
which provides us much information about the geographical factors of a
region. Thus, we find that for the
proper study of geography a proper knowledge of language is sufficient for
study of geography in primary schools but at higher stages of learning of
geography a good knowledge of language is desirable. Thus, we find that there is a lot of
correction between geography and language and literature.
5. Geography and Art - Art includes (i) Useful Art
and (ii) Fine Art. In useful art we make
something that is useful and in fine art we make a thing having a quality. Fine art develops the aesthetic sense. To correlate useful art with geography the
students in a manual class may be asked to prepare almirahs, map holders, map
stands etc.
A good hand of art can draw fine
maps, charts and models. In such charts
and maps the heights of mountains, formation of lands etc. can be depict these
things aesthetically. In this way art
can be used to generate students’ interest for geography. Geography provides a good material for the
students of art and fine art. Thus,
there exists a lot of correlation between geography and art.
6. Geography and Handwork: - In the present-day
curriculum hand work occupies an important place. The hand work has been included in geography
mainly is to train the eye to accuracy and rapidity in observation. It also helps in the development of latent
powers of mind and inculcates habits of neatness etc. At times geography provides subject matter
for hand work and sometimes handwork provides subject matter for
geography. The school garden provides
various opportunities for the study of geography.
7. Geography and
Mathematics: -
Mathematics is considered the mother of all subjects. Thus, mathematics is highly correlated to
various other subjects and so there is a lot of correlation between mathematics
and geography for giving a practice in various mathematical formulas about measurement
of height, depth, area, etc. the mathematics teacher can choose data from
geography. The quantitative aspects in
mathematics can be explained by taking the data from population production,
crops etc. Similar use of geographical
problems can be made in Algebra and geometry classes. To understand geographical charts,
geographical surveys, maps and cartographical works in geography the knowledge
of mathematics is essential. In
comparative method of teaching geography mathematics is quite useful and
helpful. Writing about correlation
between mathematics and geography an eminent writer observes “Geography and
mathematics have much in common.
Mathematics deals with number and measurements. But numbers and measurements are based on
environment. Through geography we try to
understand environment. Therefore, we
can understand it better with the help of mathematics.
8. Geography and
Natural Science:
- Geography is so highly correlated to natural science that is considered as
one of the subjects that may be included in sciences. We find that a large number of geographical
facts are included in the subject matter of natural sciences such as physics,
chemistry, agriculture, botany, zoology etc.
The cause-and-effect relationship that is emphasized in the study of
geography is a gift of science to geography.
For a correct understanding of various geographical facts, we have to
make use of many a scientific rules and formulas. Thus, we find a close correlation between
science and geography.
9. Geography and Geology - Geology is the study of the
surface of earth and so geology is highly correlated to geography. The knowledge of geology can be quite helpful
in the study of earthquakes, volcanoes, etc.
Thus, these two are considered as twin subject.
10. Geography and
Agriculture -
These two are deeply correlated because the agricultural products are
influenced by the geographical factors.
A geography teacher can make a good contribution in the study of
agriculture and so there exists a correlation between geography and
agriculture.
11. Geography and Religion - In recent times there is an
increasing trend for including the study of religion in geography. A close relationship exists between geography
and religion because geography emphasizes the influence of environments on the
religion of a country. We find that a
large number of beliefs in a religion are closely associated to the
geographical factors.
Thus,
we find that geography is highly correlated to a number of other school
subjects and sometimes such a correlation may lead to overlapping and it
involves the danger of repetition and waste of time. This repetition and wastage of time should be
avoided and for this purpose it would be better if the teachers teaching
various subjects remain in touch with each other’s.
1 Comments
Good information provided sir. Thanks
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