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Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth--Physical Geographic Influences on the Development of Human Societies

29 minutes 11 seconds
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3D digital rendering that resembles an ancient Greek temple, with Doric columns that hold up the triangular pediment, which is decorated with sculptural depictions of humans and animals. Text reads, "Physical Geographic Influences on the Development of Human Societies."

In program seven, Dr. Alex Murphy, using historical examples and present-day case histories, guides viewers through both sides of the argument known as environmental determinism. This episode seeks the answers to one of the great debates in geography: "How much does place or physical geography determine human development?" Part of the "Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth" series.

Media Details

Runtime: 29 minutes 11 seconds

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Astronomy image. Digital artistic rendering of the Earth in outer space, with a viewpoint showing the tan desert areas and green regions of Africa, and parts of Europe and South America. Text reads, "Inventing the Tools of Geography."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 1
28 minutes 59 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Ancient geographical map illustrating of the Mediterranean Sea and the lands surrounding it, including Italia, Macedonia, Natolia, Dalmatia, Proventia, and others. Text reads, "Portraying the Earth."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 2
28 minutes 28 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Peaks of a mountain range emerge through a thick layer of white clouds. Text reads, "Landforms."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 3
28 minutes 48 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Digital artistic astronomy rendering of the Earth in outer space, with a viewpoint showing South America and parts of North America and Africa, surrounded by blue oceans and seas. Text reads, "The Ever-Changing Planet."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 4
28 minutes 59 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Landscape with a cloudy sky above many mountains, whose brown tops are dusted with snow, while other mountains in the far background are covered in snow. Text reads, "Layering the Planet."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 5
29 minutes 9 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Geographical map of North America, focusing on the United States, which is divided into geographical areas by patches of red, yellow, orange, green, pink, and light blue. Text reads, "Geographical Regions."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 6
28 minutes 40 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
3D digital rendering that resembles an ancient Greek temple, with Doric columns that hold up the triangular pediment, which is decorated with sculptural depictions of humans and animals. Text reads, "Physical Geographic Influences on the Development of Human Societies."
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 7
29 minutes 11 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Landscape with a single red train car on a set of train tracks in the foreground, next to a paved lot where three trucks and a car are parked. The sky is gray and the ground is damp, as if it has just rained, and a town lies in the far background.
Physical Geography: Making Sense of Planet Earth
Episode 8
28 minutes 54 seconds
Grade Level: 10 - 12
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