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Introduction to Contemporary Geography, 1st edition

Published by Pearson (January 9, 2012) © 2013

  • James M. Rubenstein Miami University of Ohio
  • William H. Renwick Miami University
  • Carl H. Dahlman Miami University
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With an innovative integration of visuals, text, and spatial graphics, Introduction to Contemporary Geography presents a modular and highly graphical springboard to introductory geography – ideal for contemporary students and learning styles. This innovative new resource partners best-selling human geography author Jim Rubenstein with environmental and physical geographer Bill Renwick, economic/political/cultural geographer Carl Dahlman, and the information architects at Dorling Kindersley (DK). The authors’ approachable prose and DK’s bold visual style combine to engage students with little to no science background, encouraging them to become scientifically literate and responsible consumers, readers, and voters. 
  • The unique DK-style format provides unparalleled clarity while adding excitement to tried and true, first-rate geographic analysis. The book's brief format features carefully selected topics that provide a springboard to each individual professor’s introduction to geography course.
  • Every page contains integrated visuals, text, and spatial graphics, using multiple dimensions and representations most appropriate for the concept at hand. Every key concept has been developed and written around key graphics, allowing the visuals to do much of the work.
  • The book’s modular organization consists of chapters made up of self-contained two-page spreads, a reliable presentation that offers the instructor flexibility when assigning material to students.
  • Every chapter opens with Key Questions, which are then used as the framework for each two-page module within the chapter.
    • These Key Questions ask students to take a bigger picture approach to the concept, and they often apply to two or more modules. Students should be able to answer the Key Question presented in each module after working through it.
    • Each module also presents two unique Main Points that students should understand after reading the module. The Key Questions and Main Points are revisited in the end of chapter Review. This structured learning path guides students through a text that is both visually engaging and conceptually challenging.
  • The end-of-chapter Review includes:
    • a summary of Key Questions and the associated Main Points from all modules in the chapter
    • Thinking Geographically critical-thinking questions
    • MapMaster Interactive Mapping activities
    • Google Earth Explore image analysis questions
    • On the Internet web links
    • Key Terms definitions
    • a Looking Ahead chapter preview section.
  • Current data incorporates the latest science, statistics, and associated imagery, including data from the 2010 Census and events like the political crisis in the Middle East and the Facebook phenomenon.
  • QR Codes on the chapter openers enable students to link smartphones from the book on the fly to various open source geography websites relevant to each chapter, giving students easy and immediate access to original sources and up-to-date data. Please note: Users must download a QR code reader to their mobile phone. Data and roaming charges may also apply.
1. Thinking Geographically
2. Weather, Climate, and Climate Change
3. Landforms
4. Biosphere
5. Population
6. Migration
7. Languages and Religions
8. Political Geography
9. Development
10. Food and Agriculture
11. Industry
12. Services and Settlements
13. Urban Patterns
14. Resources
James M. Rubenstein received his PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 1975. His dissertation on French urban planning was later developed into a book entitled The French New Towns (Johns Hopkins University Press). In 1976 he joined the faculty at Miami University, where he is currently Professor of Geography. Besides teaching courses on urban and human geography and writing textbooks, Dr. Rubenstein also conducts research in the automotive industry and has published three books on the subject, The Changing U.S. Auto Industry: A Geographical Analysis (Routledge); Making and Selling Cars: Innovation and Change in the U.S. Auto Industry  (The Johns Hopkins University Press); and Who Really Made Your Car? Restructuring and Geographic Change in the Auto Industry (W.E. Upjohn Institute, with Thomas Klier). Rubenstein’s The Cultural Landscape 10e is the bestselling text for both AP and college human geography classes, and his innovative Contemporary Human Geography is the most successful new title in human geography in years.
William H. Renwick earned a BA from Rhode Island College and a PhD in geography from Clark University. He has taught at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Rutgers University and is currently Associate Professor of Geography at Miami University. A physical geographer with interests in geomorphology and environmental issues, his research focuses on impacts of land-use change on rivers and lakes, particularly in agricultural landscapes in the Midwest. He is co-author of Pearson’s Introduction to Geography 5e.
Carl T. Dahlman earned degrees in sociology, music, and urban affairs before receiving his PhD in geography from the University of Kentucky in 2001. He is Associate Professor of Geography at Miami University, where his teaching focuses on political geography, migration and mobility, and globalization. His current research includes the role of European integration in the geopolitics of Southeastern Europe. He is co-author of Pearson’s Introduction to Geography 5e.

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