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Scooped by Seth Dixon onto Geography Education |
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Roads? Religion? Accent? Food? Which factor dictates where the North ends?
This is a great intellectual expercise to help student think about regions and how we define them. The article can help also inform some of their thinking since one of the main problems for students in drawing regional boundaries is a lack of place-based knowledge.
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Scholars Online Videos feature top scholars answering a specific question in his or her field of expertise. These brief and informative videos are designed to supplement the Choices Program curricula.
Seth Dixon's insight:
In this Scholar's Online video, Jennifer Fluri briefly answers this question: How has Afghanistan's geography affected its history? This video nicely shows how contested international disputes have geographic dimensions to them. The very borders of Afghanistan were created out of geopolitical maneuverings. Tags: Afghanistan, borders, political, culture, Central Asia, historical, colonialism. 
Cazare Busteni's curator insight,
May 13, 1:56 PM
Luxor Holiday Apartment Prahova Valley Romania 
Ann-Laure Liéval's curator insight,
May 14, 5:57 PM
about The Middle East and frontiers: a short video to better understand this country's history. Delete the scoop?
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Seventeen years after she stared out from the cover of National Geographic, a former Afghan refugee comes face-to-face with the world once more. The original cover is one of the more famous National Geographic photos of all time, and yet the woman in the photograph has not lived a life as though millions of people could recognize her eyes. This is her story. 
Sam Capron's curator insight,
March 27, 9:34 PM
While this article was very informative, I think it is the image that really speaks volumes, just as it did in 1985 when the picture was first taken. The women in the picture does not appear to be 28-30, rather she looks much older. Clearly she has led a tough life, and the evidence of that is written on her face a mere 15 years after the original was taken. Delete the scoop?
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We tend to look at Afghanistan through the lens of conflict, with good reason. Deaths of American forces recently reached 2000 in the 11 years since US involvement in the country began. Yes, Afghanistan is a war-ravaged country; but it is also a place that families call home and where children play. This photo essay is a nice glimpse into ordinary lives in Central Asia. Tags: Afghanistan, images, culture, Central Asia. Delete the scoop?
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Decades of war, migration and chaotic sprawl have turned the Afghan capital into a barely functioning dust bowl. The city's tired infrastructure is crumbling; water, sewers and electricity are in short supply.
Keeping an urban system running smoothly is a difficult proposition in developed countries that are stable--what is in like a place like Afghanistan? This podcast is a excellent glimpse into the cultural, economic, environmental and political struggles of a city like Kabul. This is urban geography in about a problematic a situation as possible. Delete the scoop?
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The Afghan security forces now include hundreds of women, but they can face significant risks. In the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, policewomen say abuse is widespread and even includes rape by their male colleagues.
Warning: this podcast is an uncomfortable listen, but truly highlights how different a world it can be for women in countries with rigid gender norms. Gender norms and public space play a critical role in how many societies think about what is often considered "appropriate" behavior. Discussion Points: what efforts should be encouraged in Afghanistan to prevent this sort of problem? WHO should be sponsoring these efforts for them to be most successful? How might a 'good plan on paper' backfire if you don't understand the cultural geography of the region? Delete the scoop?
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She was one of the world's most famous faces, yet no one knew who she was. Her image appeared on the front of magazines and books, posters, lapel pins, and even rugs, but she didn't know it.
While her image is iconic, her story is remarkably mundane and sadly representative of the many Afghan women who have lived in refugee camps. 
Derek Ethier's comment,
October 18, 2012 1:31 AM
Refugee camps can obviously take a toll on one's life. This women, once beautiful, aged only 20 years. However, it looks as if she has aged at least double that. It is terrible that people have to live in refugee camps as war ravages their nation. Nobody deserve that, but those are collateral damages of war.
Brian Nicoll's curator insight,
December 12, 2012 12:28 AM
While the picture may be famous, she still represents depressing life that the women of her generation live. I found it interesting that she had no idea that her photo was so iconic. To have a photo taken of you that was used in for a variety of different things, all while not knowing about it is quite shocking. As famous as the photo is however, it should not cloud the symbolism that the photo stands for. Delete the scoop?
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"Afghan youth have very limited options for sports and recreation. An Australian man is trying to change that." This video really resonates with my students. Issues of ethnicity, class and gender are right on the surface. Globalization, cultural values and shifting norms make this a good discussion piece. 
Lisa Fonseca's comment,
November 3, 2011 8:26 PM
I think all genders should be given the opportunity to experience and interact within any type of sport. All genders should be given the right to be healthy, get courage, and avoid fear. Watching the two sisters skateboarding is a positive role because those two girls can set the stage for many other females to also try to skateboard, and if a variety of girls begin to do it then it could become a norm rather than this dangerous sport that girls can be apart of. It is upsetting that at the ages nine and ten these girls are enjoying their last years of freedom because once they hit puberty they will be secluded from boys. It was a good idea for the instructor to then create separate skateboarding groups so the females could still be apart of it. Now on the down side I was possibly thinking this project maybe wasn't such a good idea because it led to issues like the brother beating his sister until she had blood running down her leg because she couldn't be around the boys. I know from my perspective I see that as inappropriate behavior but, in Afghan is that a common concern? This project has its pro and cons but overall I think my pros out run the cons. I think all children should be given opportunities no matter gender, culture, or class because if every child is given the opportunity then can become someone and succeed in life.
Derek Ethier's comment,
October 18, 2012 1:09 AM
It is important for children to be exposed to recreational activities where they can interact and have fun with their peers. Since Afghani girls have only a short amount of time to do this, it is important that they do while they can. However, this "Skateistan" may have widespread and unintended consequences. Maybe it will take one generation, or maybe it will take twenty, but eventually these traditional gender norms and social roles will begin to disappear. In it's place will likely be one more commonly recognizable to us in the United States.
Matt Mallinson's comment,
October 22, 2012 12:02 PM
This is such a great thing for the children of this country. The Australian man who started all of this is brave in my mind for introducing skateboarding to a country that would probably never have tried it, especially with older natives not liking the idea.
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"Students are introduced to the physical and human features of Afghanistan."
Seth Dixon's insight:
This tremendous set of resources is the result of a partnership between The Choices Program (housed at Brown University) and National Geographic Education. This link takes you to a portal with lesson plans, videos, maps, student worksheets, etc. These are some of the materials that form the core of the Choices Program Summer Institute that focuses on the United States' involvement in Afghanistan. Tags: Afghanistan, political, culture, Central Asia, National Geographic.
Sam Capron's curator insight,
March 27, 9:28 PM
This is an article that contains videos and other bits of information on Afghanistan and the surrounding area. It has info on the Geography, culture, and politics of Afghanistan as well as colored maps!
One of the most interesting elements that I discovered in this article is information regarding the Wakhan Corridor, a region I had previously not heard of. Basically it is the small sliver of land in northern Afghanistan. This land barrier was created to ensure that British controlled India, and Russia. It just shows you in a perfect example the huge impact that Europe has had on the Middle East, politically, economically, and geographically. Delete the scoop?
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In the dusty triangle where Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan meet, there is more than one war going on. Geopolitically, there is a fascinating confluence of competing interests at this border. This is "the scariest little corner of the world." It's a dangerous place that is often beyond the authority of any of state. It also represents (depending on how you divide the world up) at the intersection of the three major regions in the area: Central Asia, the Middle East and South Asia. Tags: Afghanistan, political, borders, MiddleEast, SouthAsia, Central Asia, unit 4 political. Delete the scoop?
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Tahmina Kohistani’s Olympics lasted exactly 14 and 42/100ths of a second.
This is a great article that highlights the Olympic successes that are underreported. Due to geographic circumstances, simply competing is a remarkable accomplishment. The women participants from Afghanistan and Iran are highlighted in this article. 
's comment, August 11, 2012 1:27 PM
great article indeed. Thanks for turning the spotlight away from the podium, for a change.
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Afghanistan supplies virtually all of the world's illegal opium. For Afghans themselves, however, feelings about poppy are conflicted: It's harmful to their ...
Part 1 of an 8 part series on youtube documenting the opium-growing process and how the Taliban manages it. Agricultural production and rural land use can absolutely play a huge role in geopolitics and cultural patterns and processes, as evidenced by this example. For more resources on the Afghanistan drug issue, see: www.scoop.it/t/funding-the-taliban-with-opium Delete the scoop?
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"Afghan youth have very limited options for sports and recreation. An Australian man is trying to change that." Issues of ethnicity, class and gender are right on the surface. Globalization, cultural values and shifting norms make this a good discussion piece. Via Seth Dixon
Lisa Fonseca's comment,
November 3, 2011 8:26 PM
I think all genders should be given the opportunity to experience and interact within any type of sport. All genders should be given the right to be healthy, get courage, and avoid fear. Watching the two sisters skateboarding is a positive role because those two girls can set the stage for many other females to also try to skateboard, and if a variety of girls begin to do it then it could become a norm rather than this dangerous sport that girls can be apart of. It is upsetting that at the ages nine and ten these girls are enjoying their last years of freedom because once they hit puberty they will be secluded from boys. It was a good idea for the instructor to then create separate skateboarding groups so the females could still be apart of it. Now on the down side I was possibly thinking this project maybe wasn't such a good idea because it led to issues like the brother beating his sister until she had blood running down her leg because she couldn't be around the boys. I know from my perspective I see that as inappropriate behavior but, in Afghan is that a common concern? This project has its pro and cons but overall I think my pros out run the cons. I think all children should be given opportunities no matter gender, culture, or class because if every child is given the opportunity then can become someone and succeed in life.
Derek Ethier's comment,
October 18, 2012 1:09 AM
It is important for children to be exposed to recreational activities where they can interact and have fun with their peers. Since Afghani girls have only a short amount of time to do this, it is important that they do while they can. However, this "Skateistan" may have widespread and unintended consequences. Maybe it will take one generation, or maybe it will take twenty, but eventually these traditional gender norms and social roles will begin to disappear. In it's place will likely be one more commonly recognizable to us in the United States.
Matt Mallinson's comment,
October 22, 2012 12:02 PM
This is such a great thing for the children of this country. The Australian man who started all of this is brave in my mind for introducing skateboarding to a country that would probably never have tried it, especially with older natives not liking the idea.
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The Afghanistan War has become one of the longest in U.S. history. United States military forces entered Afghanistan in late 2001, a few months after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Associated with this video clip is a set of seven lesson plans in a unit about the United States War in Afghanistan. Find the lesson plans with supplemental materials (graphic organizers, maps, photos, etc.) for a unit on The Afghanistan War at the Choices Program webpage. Delete the scoop?
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