A geo-close reading melds geospatial literacy and academic reading literacy to promote close reading to identify and analyze geographic concepts in a reading. Geographic thinking or literacy is important to question the geography behind what you are reading, its relevance, biases, and context.
from Integrating Historical and Geographic Thinking By Educational Outreach Staff, with contributions from Dr. Mark Newman and Dr. Peggy O-Neill-Jones
‘Learning geography requires students to read widely from a variety of texts and other sources of information. They need to select, compare, synthesise and evaluate information from different sources as well as use other skills to distinguish fact and opinion, and to recognise bias and objectivity in sources. ’ Biddulph et al, 2015, p157
A geographic inquiry approach is reading through the lens of spatial context:
1. Contextualize: Consider the location and its physical features, climate, cultural aspects, and historical background.
2. Analyze spatial relationships: Look for spatial relationships and connections within the text.
3. Consider perceptional geography: Pay attention to different perspectives presented in the text.
4. Maps and visuals: Use map resources to deepen your understanding. Look for patterns, trends, and spatial distributions.
5. Connect through the real world: Consider how the concepts discussed can be observed in your own environment or in current events.
The Fairmont State University The Common Book Committee selects an interdisciplinary campus read each year. The geography and geographic information science (GISC) minor gives a talk about geography in the readings.
2024: The Book of the Dead
2023: The Radium Girls
GeoClose Reading Space, Place, and Time: A Geographic Journey Through Radium Girls by Barbara MacLennan