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Earlier this week an unnamed space rocket, launched by SpaceX exploded just minutes after the launch. The purpose for this rocket, named Dragon, was to conduct a resupply mission for the International Space Station. Dragon's cargo included 2 tons of goods, including 1,500 pounds of food and provisions for the crew. It was not clear what caused this rocket to fail after launch but an investigation will be conducted very soon. This event relates to two major themes in Human Geography. The first theme is Globalization. Globalization represents the modern technological age, in which improved worldwide transport and communication allowing for the instantaneous diffusion of ideas and innovations as seen on page fourteen in the Themes Of Human Geography Textbook. By launching the rocket into space, SpaceX is improving communication between other nations that are using the International Space Station. Also, this rocket would have accelerated the technological age by providing influential information and hardware. In addition, this current event relates to the theme of Cultural Landscape. Cultural Landscape explains what a region or area actually looks like in relation to its physical features. Even though space is a foreign place to us humans it has its own Cultural Landscape, such as stars and galaxies. Thus this small rocket, loaded with supplies, can aid researchers in the Space Station acquire more information of the Cultural Landscape in space. In conclusion, Dragon's crash has been a very popular current event and relates to two various themes of Human Geography, including Globalization and Cultural Landscape.

Excellent analysis. Thank you! Here is an interesting resource from NASA about their attempt to map Mars (http://www.engadget.com/2015/07/10/nasa-mars-trek/).

Anyone enjoying the World Cup?  Check out this site about the stadiums.  Which theme(s) of geography are you reminded of when you read the stadium descriptions? Is it region, movement, globalization, nature-culture, cultural landscape or any combinations? Which stadium(s) are most likely preferred by certain teams? Who might prefer certain stadiums and why? .... Let's get a discussion going, APHUG!

How was geography a factor when building a stadium in the Amazon?

Check out this picture of a delta. Which theme of geography is connected with the existence and human interaction with delta?

Read the statement from Pres. Obama about World Refugee Day. Human migration is related to the movement theme of geography. When people move (relocation diffusion) to other places, they bring with them their language, religion, and other cultural values. How would this world be different if people never moved to different places? Tell me what you think APHUG. 

Which theme(s) of geography are represented in this news article?

How is the political geography of Israel and the Palestinian territories reflected in their cultural landscapes? Could Israel's "Iron Dome" be part of the cultural landscape of the region? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Dome for more information. 

This current event relates to the theme of region.  It is shown in the regions of Kansas City and the state of Kansas.  This is because both of these regions are measured geographical locations that have characteristics based on the aspects, actions, and lifestyles of the culture of that area.  How does this article represent mobility?

Get to know your themes of geography! What are the major differences between each of the themes? What are some techniques other than music that help you retain content?

How is the globalization theme evident in this article? 

Just recently, Istanbul has released a bomb warning in crowded areas. Some of the areas most at risk are Taksim, Osmanbey, Yenikapi, and Haciosman. The Istanbul Police Department has sent out in pen and paper the threats. But why are they threatening these bombs? On July 20th a bomb went off in Suruç, Turkey that killed 32 and injured hundreds. More are suspected to come. These bombs and bomb warnings relate to the region theme of geography. In Istanbul, a culture has been created of violence. The hub, or government of Istanbul is trying in many ways to keep the land safe and secure. So, will another deadly bomb explode? How will the government protect their citizens?

Thank you for the debriefing, Blaire. Good example for the region theme as well. When we hear about the Middle East region, these are the types of events we unfortunately associate with that place. It is interesting how societies are shaped due to external and internal terrorist threats. Perhaps many of you notice the presence of security as you travel around this summer. Security checkpoints at airports or landmarks reminds me of the cultural landscape theme.

What themes of geography does this article suggest?

What themes of geography do you notice in this short video about why history matters? 

A recent emergency regarding terrorism has surfaced in Tunisia, an African country located along the Mediterranean Sea, after two spontaneous attacks by Islamic extremists, and the effects embody several themes of human geography. To start off, the functional region of Tunisia itself is showcased due to its state emergency declaration, digging of a trench to stop unlawful trade, and implementation of additional law enforcement for protection. Each of these actions illustrate how Tunisia operates within its political boundaries to sustain the well-being of the nation. For mobility, relocation diffusion will decrease as the absorbing barrier of the trench halts people, ideas, and supplies from moving across Libya's border, but Tunisia will benefit from more security and safety. Fewer vacationers coming to Tunisia also impedes the spread of ideas. On the other hand, people emigrating from Tunisia, as mentioned in the article, have increased relocation diffusion by taking their knowledge to new locations, and expansion diffusion has escalated as people rapidly spread news of the attacks. Since the Group of 7 industrialized nations met to discuss the Islamic terror threat, globalization is taking place because multiple countries are interconnected by a foreign problem and are seeking a solution; this resembles the mission of UNICEF in "A Long Way Gone", as do the people fleeing danger like Ishmael did. It is interesting to note that the countries participating in the interactions are industrialized, for they have the technology to provide fast communication and effective actions. Tunisia even asked Western countries specifically for help due to their high development. I believe the gruesome acts were unnecessary and require the proper counteraction, so I am glad these nations are gathering. What will nearby nations do to accommodate refugees socially, politically, and economically? Why might the cultural landscape change to prevent events of this nature?

Excellent analysis. Great work connecting the themes to your selected current event and book. Terrorism is an enormous threat to every country, including industrialized core nations like the Group of 7. Does anyone know why terrorists, and specifically, Islamic extremists such as those associated with ISIS or Al Qaeda, even commit acts of terror on citizens?

How does Project Wing from Google relate to the theme of globalization? What might be some challenges to this system?

This is another powerful resource from TED that helps students of geography understand how and why some governments in the world, such as North Korea, are more authoritative than others. Why did Hyeonsea escape North Korea? How was she able to get her family out of North Korea?

More than a dozen Republicans and a handful of Democrats have announced they are running for their party's 2016 presidential nomination. Page lists all the Democratic and Republican candidates. The page has links to mini articles describing what each person must do to win and why they won't succeed.

This is a useful resource. Which theme(s) of geography might be demonstrated by these candidates attempting to persuade citizens to vote for them?

Mobility- The campaigns demonstrate how ideas are moved to different areas as well as techniques to persuade people to accept the ideas. In this case the idea being spread is to vote for a certain candidate over another for various reasons.

Sarah Johnson yells for help outside the convention center in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina on Sept. 1, 2005. Which of the five themes of geography relate to this natural disaster?