On reductionism and emergence in geomorphology

Much geomorphological enquiry has been devoted to the understanding of landscapes via the construction of models based on the relationships between process and form. This paper examines the philosophical, theoretical and practical problems involved in bridging the gap between studies of geomorphological processes and explanations of landscape development. It argues that process geomorphology is essentially reductionist and discusses the practical and logical limitations of such an approach to science. It suggests that landscapes are emergent phenomena and, by drawing from the philosophical and practical lessons derived from the physics of non-linear systems, demonstrates that they are not amenable to reductionist explanations.     

Mark Melton's geomorphology and geography's quantitative revolution

Mark Melton published some important papers in the late 1950s that have had a significant influence upon the subsequent development of geomorphology. Two of these papers were published in the same journal in the same year, and have a similar number of total citations, and these are compared in this study. Although both papers present novel empirical findings and discuss innovative conceptual frameworks, the extent and manner to which they have been used within geography and geology differs quite markedly. This reveals marked differences in the conceptual frameworks and research priorities of the two groups of scientists, which may help explain why geomorphology has proceeded differently on the two sides of the Atlantic since the quantitative revolution.     

Electrical conductivity: a useful technique in teaching geomorphology

Abstract

The electrical conductivity of a water sample is proportional to its total dissolved solids content. Since conductivity can be measured easily and quickly by commercially available meters it is admirably suited to geomorphological field work on the dissolved solids content of natural waters. The technique lends itself to exercises involving work in the field, the classroom and the laboratory and it therefore allows integration of these three approaches to geomorphology teaching.

The conductivity of a given sample varies with temperature and is heavily influenced by hydrogen ions when the pH is below about 5.5. This paper describes the methods used to correct for these effects, and the procedure for constructing calibration curves of conductivity and total dissolved solids. It gives the characteristics of commonly available field instruments, and some guidelines for choosing an instrument. Some exercises involving conductivity are outlined.     

Geography students' assessment of internship experience at a Kenyan university

This paper reports findings of Moi University's geography students' assessment of their internship, which underscore the importance of internship in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and its application in the real world of work. Not only were the majority of the students able to apply geographical knowledge and skills in their work situations, they also acquired new competences, gained work experience and were able to map their career paths and make contacts with relevant professionals and potential employers. As a result, most students came out of internship more upbeat about the geography programme and their career and job prospects.     

Teaching Geography to Non-geographers at Glasgow Caledonian University

This paper discusses the teaching of geography to 'non-geographers' at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). GCU is one of the so-called 'new' universities in the UK and it shares with many of these institutions a mission to facilitate access to groups that have traditionally been under-represented in higher education. Human geography is one of the six subject area streams within the interdisciplinary social sciences degree programme, although geographical subject matter is taught in many other degree programmes, in each of GCU's three faculties. The arrangements for teaching human geography at GCU present pedagogical challenges for staff. Means to address these problems have been implemented. In this case study, it is argued that the experience of teaching human geography to 'non-geographers' at GCU may be of more general significance to the discipline, to the teaching of geography in both 'old' and 'new' universities and to those responsible for the delivery of mainstream geography degree programmes.     

傅斯年的大学理念及大学研究所构想

傅斯年高等教育思想中最有价值者,当数其对德国讲座制度的阐释及对大学设置研究所之构想。大学不仅仅是知识传授的中心,更是学术研究的中心,大学教育应当以学术教育为中心,其理想的大学应当是德国研究型的大学。故傅斯年反对在大学中实行年级制,主张实施选课制度。除了实行选课制度和讲座制度之外,傅斯年主张大学应该创办研究所。大学研究所与专业研究所有着明显的不同:前者为大学师生共同研究的性质,是大学教授指导学生共同研究的学术机构,包含着研学相长之意;后者则是专业研究员进行专门研究的机构,无需学生参与。傅斯年的大学研究院设想,基本上是接受和效仿德国讲座制度和研究所制度而来的,与当时教育部仿效美国大学体制而设立研究生院的规定,存在着明显的差异。傅斯年主张大学以讲座制度为基础自然形成专科研究所,进而建成研究型大学。这种认识,直到他主持台湾大学时仍然没有改变。     

Valuing and evaluating university teaching

Abstract

The quality of university teaching in Britain is rarely evaluated systematically, and career advancement tends to rest predominantly upon research performance and publications. Although this paper does not pretend to offer a full review of the relevant literature, it introduces a variety of ways of assessing a teacher's commitment, performance and effectiveness, which are used elsewhere. The focus of the paper is on assessment for promotion but staff evaluation should also be seen as of value in staff development and in fostering a fully professional attitude to the teaching of geography in higher education.     

聞き手ストラテジ一の意識化を目指した会話授業 --実践的なコミユニケ一シヨンのために

1.はじめに　会话とは、话し手と闻さ手の两者か存在 して初めて成り立つものでぬる。情报を与ぇる役割でぬる “话し手”の存在しない会话か成立しないのは当然として、情报を引さ出ま役割でぬょ“闻さ手”か存在しをい会话もまた、成立しぇない 。     

Applied geomorphology and archaeological survey strategy for sites of Pleistocene age: An example from Central Alaska

The development of a survey strategy for archaeological sites of Pleistocene age through the application of historical geomorphology is described. Geomorphic contexts in the northern foothills of the Alaska Range with potential for producing archaeological remains from the 30,000-12,000 bp interval were identified and subjected to exploratory testing. Contexts were selected on the basis of estimated age, palaeotopographic setting and geomorphic history, and included glaciofluvial outwash, side-valley fan alluvium, loessic colluvium and primary frozen loess. Testing was eventually focused on formerly deflated terrace surfaces—a potential source area for artifacts redeposited in the outwash or alluvium. Although the results of the exploratory testing were negative, and archaeological sites in the region remain confined to loess deposits of the later Late Glacial (12,000-10,000 bp), discoveries in other parts of Beringia suggest that sites of earlier Late Glacial age (14,000-12,000 bp) are also likely to be present in the foothills. The application of historical geomorphology in surveys for early prehistoric sites is essential for effective use of available resources and for maximizing the significance of the results (positive or negative).     

借词途径的双重性

论文通过对引进借词路径的双重性——吸收性与抗拒性的分析,阐述了文化不分优劣,任何文化都是在不断的交流及互相吸收借鉴中得到丰富完善的,且都有着自身存在的必要性。     

当代农村集市变化与次县级区域的形成——以湖南省隆回县为中心的观察

在当代农村基础设施建设的浪潮中,农村集市在交通、通讯等现代化设备的影响下也发生了巨大的变化,最底层的农村集市削弱了,部分中心集市的职能也受到影响,只有极少数的核心集镇得到了加强,形成了规模更大的社会经济区域,这就是次县级区域。