Historical Geography Course APRIL 1 FINAL DAY OF CLASS

Tom Conger

Historical Geography is the study of how geographical phenomena have changed over time and how past geography influences the present.  It examines the spatial aspects of history, focusing on how human societies have interacted with and shaped their environment throughout history.

Resident geographer Tom Conger presents a five-session course, sponsored by the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL), on this interesting aspect of geographical studies.  Conger will view historical geography through two principal components.

 About the Course

First, physical geographical processes (earth’s natural forces shaping landscapes) will be discussed. Next, human processes such as migration, the building of settlements, agriculture, and transportation will be examined.  Throughout, Conger will stress how the physical world affects the human world and vice-versa.

Come learn:

• how the olive tree played a part in the decline of the ancient civilization of Greece
• how the holiday Cinco de Mayo has helped influence the geographical and historical importance of the Battle of Puebla in Mexico
• how the Little Ice Age in Europe had an impact on the creation of the Stradivarius violin

The five sessions are at 1 p.m. in Clubhouse I and begin Wednesday, March 4, and conclude on Wednesday April 1.  Topics in include:  migration, European and American examples of historical geography, walking in the world, roads to everywhere, and air transportation in a time of change.

As a veteran geographer and community planner, Conger has taught many classes for CLL.  He holds degrees in both geography and community planning and has taught at middle school and high school levels and at Northern Arizona University.

Note the new CLL process: Residents are asked to register and pay the $20 fee on the CLL website: (cllmd.com).  For residents unable to access the website, the Lifestyle office in Clubhouse I will take registration and the $20 fee after Feb 10.