560 likes | 818 Views
SCALE, SCALE MODELS, AND SKELETONS Keller APHG 2011. SCALE: a comparison of distances on a map to distances on the earth. METHODS OF PORTRAYING SCALE ON A MAP: Graphic Scale = scale bar Verbal Scale = written statement Fractional Scale = representative fraction.
E N D
SCALE, SCALE MODELS, AND SKELETONS Keller APHG 2011
SCALE:a comparison of distances on a map to distances on the earth • METHODS OF PORTRAYING SCALE ON A MAP: • Graphic Scale = scale bar • Verbal Scale = written statement • Fractional Scale = representative fraction
What kind of scale? “One inch to 5 miles” Verbal scale
What kind of scale? 1:316,800 or 1/316,800 Fractional Scale
What kind of scale? Graphic Scale
These mushroom spores are too small to see, so we put them under a MICROSCOPE. When we can see them, we can study them.
This planet is too big to see, so we put it under a MACROSCOPE. When we can see it, we can study it.
“Some things are very tiny, and we must use complex electric and optical means (e.g., a microscope) to enlarge them so as to understand their configuration and structural relationships. In contrast, geographical things are so extensive that we must somehow reduce them to bring them into view.” - Arthur Robinson, cartographer
We need to use our . . . MAPS as MACROSCOPES. . . to help us think critically about problems and “problem spots” on the world stage.
Scale is Critical to Critical Thinking • Using reason to decide what to believe or do. • Assessing the authenticity, accuracy, or worth of knowledge claims and arguments. • Applying careful, precise, persistent and objective analysis of any knowledge claim or belief to judge its validity.
ETHNIC CONFLICT AND THE CONCEPT OF SCALE • Ethnic conflicts abound on the world political map. To understand them, we use a set of concepts: • minorities • majorities • We count and we quantify. • Because we quantify we think our analysis is objective. • Because we are objective, we reach unbiased conclusions.
What is a minority? “the smaller in number of two groups constituting a whole” - Merriam-Webster OnLine Djibouti’s Ethnic Composition: Somali 60% Afar 35%
SERENDIB CEYLON SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka • Formerly Ceylon, now an island Republic in the Indian Ocean just southeast of India • A British colony since 1796 became independent in 1948 • Marked by hostility among its ethnic groups
With about three-quarters of the population, what ethnic group in Sri Lanka is in the majority? • Moors • Sinhalese • Tamils • Burghers
SINHALESE Language = Sinhala Buddhist Religion =
With about one-fifth of the population, what ethnic group in Sri Lanka comprises the largest minority? • Moors • Sinhalese • Tamils • Burghers
TAMILS Language = Tamil Religion = Hindu
U.S. News and World Report: August 8, 1983 Headline: “Sri Lanka’s Racial Riots Could Cost It Dearly” New York Times: November 7, 2006 Headline: “Kidnappings Return to Haunt Long Ethnic War in Sri Lanka”
Leaves from Pipul tree Are Buddhist symbols Lion – Kingdom of Kandy Sinhalese Green – Muslim Orange - Tamil
Ethnic comes from the Greek word ethnos meaning “nation” or “life way.” Yet, in our current lexicon we use it not as a synonym for national, but almost as an affront. Within nations exist ethnic minorities. Sri Lanka: 4 million Tamils Sri Lanka: 15 million Sinhalese
Ethnic Geography: Who’s the minority? Sri Lanka: 4 million Tamils Sri Lanka: 15 million Sinhalese India: 63 million Tamils India: no Sinhalese
Religious Geography: Sri Lanka: 4 million Hindus Sri Lanka: 15 million Buddhists India: 800 million Hindus India: very few Buddhists
The Buddhist Realm: • Sri Lanka: 15 million Buddhists • Ladakh (Ind.) 200,000 Buddhists • Bhutan 2 million Buddhists • Tibet 3 million Buddhists • Myanmar 50 million Buddhists • Thailand 60 million Buddhists • China Buddhist?