Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The use of the atlas in Geography and History is specifi ed in the National Curriculum
Standards, the result of efforts by many stakeholders in geography education and
the AJG-CGE who are concerned about the critical state of geography. Geography
instructors should be more appealing as the atlas is a useful textbook relevant to
the entire subject of Geography and History, as well as World History, and
Japanese History.
19.4
Necessity for Senior High School Geography
The immense undervalue of Geography is unprecedented in the history of geography
education in modern Japan and in other foreign countries (e.g., European countries,
Korea, and China) in the recent years. The state of geography education is critical and
a lack of action is a sign that the Japanese society agrees that senior high school geog-
raphy is not needed. Is geography really obsolete in senior high school? Needless to
say, the answer is no. To the contrary, geography is going to be even more critical in
the future, and this is discussed from two perspectives in the next section.
19.4.1
The Importance of Geography Education
from the Perspective of the Curriculum
of Geography and History
The curriculum of the senior high school Geography includes history concepts
while history education also encompasses geography. This is evident in the new
History curriculum. Objectives of World History A and Japanese History A from
the new National Curriculum Standards are quoted in the following, with new revi-
sions underlined:
￿ [World History A] Objectives: Based on resources, help students to understand
world history focusing on modern times in relationship with geographical con-
ditions and Japanese history; cultivate abilities to think historically by helping
students to consider modern issues from historical perspectives; foster aware-
ness and qualities as Japanese citizens who live in the global society in
independent- minded manners.
￿ [Japanese History A] Objectives: Based on resources, help students to under-
stand the history of modern Japan in relationship with geographical conditions
and world history; cultivate abilities to think historically by helping students to
focus and consider modern issues; foster awareness and qualities as Japanese
citizens who live in the global society in independent-minded manners.
First, the term, geographical conditions, was used in the contents section, as was
the term, historical background, in geography. Moving it to the objectives section
 
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