EVOLUTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL THOUGHT (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25DGEO501(A)
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course aims to enable students to contextualize the conceptual traditions within geography along with the major philosophical influences. It promotes an understanding of the fluidity, expansion and inclusivity of Modern Geographical Thought as against imperial underpinnings and latent euro centricity.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes(Cos)

Learning & Teaching Strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

DGEO 501(A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evolution of Geographical Thought (Theory)

CO42: Enhance the knowledge about temporal succession of geographical views from ancient times to the 20th century so that they are able to know the development of thought in the field of geography in India as well as in the world

CO43:          Assess          the contemporary knowledge of medieval period and explorations after that.

CO44: Analyse the contribution of thinkers in scientific geography.

CO45:         Explore         the

philosophical                                        and methodological foundations of this part and its place in the world of knowledge.

CO46: Identify the major landmarks in development of geographic thought at different periods of time and in major paradigms.

CO47: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in Teaching:

Interactive lectures, Discussion, Reading assignments.

 

 

Learning activities for the Students:

Self-                    learning assignments, Seminar presentation.

Class              Test,

Semester                         end examinations, Quiz, Assignments, Presentation.

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Geographical knowledge of the ancient period: Evolution of geographical knowledge
  • Indian scholars: Puranic and Vedic scholars
  • Greek scholars
  • Roman scholars
12.00
Unit II: 
Geography of medieval period:
  • Contributions by Arab geographers.
  • Dark Age
  • Renaissance and its impact on geographical knowledge
  • Period of explorations and Discoveries and spread of European and Indian trade
  • Development of scientific geography:
    • Varenius
    • Immanuel Kant

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Geography in the nineteenth century: Founders of Modern Geography:

•  Contributions by Humboldt, Ritter, Richthofen, Ratzel

•  Dualism in Geography:

                                Human and Physical, Regional and Systematic

12.00
Unit IV: 
Geography in the twentieth century: Works of
  • Vidal de la Blache
  • Ellsworth Huntington
  • Carl O Sauer

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Major Paradigm Shifts in the subject

•  Quantitative Revolution

•  Behavioural Revolution

•  Humanism

                                Radicalism

Essential Readings: 

ESSENTIAL READINGS

  • Husain, Majid: Evolution of Geographical Thought (Rawat Publications,2004,2010)
  • Singh, Manoj: Evolution of Geographical Thought (New Delhi: Sonali Publications, 2016)
  • Peet, Richard: Modern Geographical Thought (Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers,2004)
  • Dikshit, R.D.: Geographical Thought: a contextual history of ideas (New Delhi: Prentice Hall, 2004)
  • Rana, Lalita: Evolution of Geographical Thought (New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, 2014)
  • Rana, Lalita: Systematic Record of Evolution (New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, 2014)
  • Pandey, Akhilesh K: History of Geographic Thought (India: Ancient Publishing House,2015)

SUGGESTED READINGS

  • Hartshorne, Richard: The Nature of Geography, Rawat Publishers.
  • Hartshorne, Richard, Perspectives on the Nature of Geography, Scientific Publishers.
  • Minshull, Roger.M, The Changing Nature of Geography, Routledge Library Editions.
  • JOURNALS
  • Geographical Review of India – Quarterly, The Geographical Society of India, Kolkata 0375- 6386
  • The Indian Geographical Journal – Half-Yearly, The Indian Geographical Society, Chennai 0019- 4824

 

 

References: 

 

 

Academic Year: 
2025-2026