(Dis)spirited Geography?

A recent editorial in JGHE succinctly asked "Is geography history?". This question encapsulates much of the angst inherent in the discipline as we journey into the new millennium. To a large extent, this angst derives from our institutional contexts rather than our core values, heritage and concerns. For instance, threatened or actual mergers with other academic departments, non-replacement of staff, and stagnant or falling enrolments find many geographers feeling dispirited. This paper explores characteristics of a spirited geography that builds on our publicly recognised passion for primary experience of the world. While we should indeed contest any threat that might consign geography to history, at another level a more spirited geography should become part of history. Pursuit of a more spirited geography challenges us to rewrite global processes into human affairs and be compassionate towards, yet critical of, technocratic and anthropocentric worldviews.

Keywords:

• Geography
• Learning
• Compassion
• Ethics
• Communication