Placing Latin America: Contemporary Themes in Human Geography - Softcover

9780742556430: Placing Latin America: Contemporary Themes in Human Geography

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742556433 ISBN 13: 9780742556430

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2008

An innovative text for students, Placing Latin America takes a thematic approach to the study of the diverse human geographies of Latin America. Avoiding pre-defined ideas about this rapidly globalizing region, this volume focuses on the dynamic connections between people and places. Fifteen chapters written by a diverse group of contributors provide a well-rounded and accessible introduction to many dimensions of human geography, including discussions of migration in the context of transnationalism and globalization; the relations between urbanization, employment change, and the material and environmental landscapes of cities; and the connections between economic development and political change at different scales. Particularly exciting are the chapters on themes not typically found in other textbooks on the region, such as geographic analysis of the drug trade, tourism landscapes, and Latin American cinema. Jackiewicz and Bosco also include chapters on current problems of border and migration between the United States, Mexico, and the rest of Latin America. The book is well organized for the classroom-each theme chapter is illustrated by specific examples from different places in the region and includes suggested reading resources. Students and general readers alike will enjoy and learn from the connections that are drawn between different themes and contemporary concepts and important theories in critical human geography such as scale, place, and spatiality.

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About the Author:

Edward L. Jackiewicz is associate professor in the Department of Geography at California State University, Northridge.
Fernando J. Bosco is associate professor in the Department of Geography at San Diego State University.

Review:

A refreshing look at human geographic themes that will serve as a cornerstone in any course in the social sciences about Latin America and the Caribbean, especially geography. The inclusion of social movements, cinema, sustainable tourism, human rights, and NGOs is particularly welcome. (Scarpaci, Joseph L.)

This collection provides insights on many of these transformations, showing the region as a dynamic, adaptive area adjusting continually to changes in a competitive world environment. . . . Helpful bibliographic citations are found at the end of most chapters. Written by geographers, the compilation provides a greater understanding of issues facing the region, themes not commonly found in texts and other printed material. For that reason alone, the book is an important read for all those interested in Latin America. Highly recommended. (Choice)

.... the volume generally provides an interesting collection of disparate and distinctive viewpoints on some contemporary human geography themes in Latin America and could serve as an alternative textbook for undergraduate courses..... (Journal Of Latin American Geography)

Numerous respected Latin Americanist geographers tackle a wide range of current issues in this timely volume. Many of the chapters discuss the failures of neoliberalism and modernization and highlight the role of new social movements and political regimes in contesting orthodoxies of globalization. Essays on such newsworthy topics as migration, border issues, cinema, and drugs should engage the attention of students. This is a valuable and welcome addition to the textbook literature. (Gregory Knapp)

Provides an interesting collection of . . . distinctive viewpoints on some contemporary human geography themes in Latin America and could serve as an alternative textbook for undergraduate courses. (Journal Of Latin American Geography)

In depth and great selection. Good for upper-level undergraduate courses and graduate courses. (Jose Morales)

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