Transcript These mushroom spores are too small to see, so we put them under

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
Scale: One of the “map essentials”!
When scale
is not shown
on a map –
Beware!
The Week Magazine, July 4-11, 2008
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.
Format of Many pre-1914 German School Atlases
Comparative Size of Germany and USA in 1914
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?
A. Moors
B. Sinhalese
C. Tamils
D. Burghers
SINHALESE
Language = Sinhala
Religion = Buddhist
With about one-fifth of the population,
what ethnic group in Sri Lanka
comprises the largest minority?
A. Moors
B. Sinhalese
C. Tamils
D. 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
Green – Muslim
Orange - Tamil
Lion – Kingdom of Kandy
Sinhalese
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:
Sri Lanka:
4 million Tamils
15 million Sinhalese
Ethnic Geography:
Who’s the minority?
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka:
4 million Tamils
15 million Sinhalese
India:
India:
63 million Tamils
no Sinhalese
Religious Geography:
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka:
India:
India:
4 million Hindus
15 million Buddhists
800 million Hindus
very few Buddhists
The Buddhist Realm:
Sri Lanka:
Ladakh (Ind.)
Bhutan
Tibet
Myanmar
Thailand
China
15 million Buddhists
200,000 Buddhists
2 million Buddhists
3 million Buddhists
50 million Buddhists
60 million Buddhists
Buddhist?
Pattern Probing Using Scale
• If we are close,
Then, we see lots of detail, but may not
recognize overall patterns.
• If we are far away,
Then we miss lots of detail, but recognize
overall patterns.
“Most issues can
be researched at
multiple scales.”
- Darren Purcell, editor
THINK GLOBALLY,
ACT LOCALLY!
How does the use of a “macroscope” change your
view of the following islands?
●
Ireland:
Who’s the minority? Catholics or Protestants?
●
Cyprus:
Who’s the minority? Greeks or Turks?
●
Timor:
Who’s the minority? Muslims or Christians?
Use your macroscopes to help you
understand trouble spots on the
world political map.