Susan E. Hume

African, Russian, and Ukrainian Refugee Resettlement in Portland, Oregon

Abstract. The residential patterns, adaptation experiences, and impacts of immigrants on North American cities have been well documented in the geographical literature. In this article, we build on prior work by testing the theories of Gaim Kibreab, who identified three factors that shape the experiences of recent refugees: attitudes of the receiving society; current policy environments; and employment opportunities in local communities. We analyze some of the ways in which these factors operate as interrelated systems for two comparative groups of foreign‐born migrants in Portland, Oregon: sub‐Saharan Africans; and Russians and Ukrainians. Using a mixed‐methods approach, we triangulate data from a blend of in‐depth interviews, participant observation in the community and at refugee and immigrant social service agencies, census and other statistical records, and cartographic analyses to report on the findings of our work. Data suggest that the residential, economic, and social spaces of new refugees are constructed as a complex multiplicity of networks and relationships that link time and place

A Rationale and Model for a Scope and Sequence in Geographic Education, Grades K-12

he publication of Geography f o r T Life: National Geography Standards (Geography Education Standards 1994) was a milestone in geographic education. That document represented the culmination of more than a decade of concerted efforts by geographic educators and geography organizations to reintroduce geography into the school curriculum and to demonstrate to both teachers and students the power of geography in understanding the intricacies of the world around them. Geograp h y f o r Life was widely distributed to teachers and curriculum writers by the National Geographic Society through the network of state geographic alliances and by two other major professional geography organizations, the National Council for Geographic Education and the Association of American Geographers. Many teachers, however, were intimidated by the size (272 pages) and complexity of Geography f o r Life

Two Decades of Bosnian Place-Making in St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis, Missouri received approximately 11,000 refugees from the Bosnian War (1992–1995) between 1993 and 2001. These newcomers were resettled in a predominantly white, working-class neighborhood on the citys south side known a century earlier for its German population. They were joined by family reunification immigrants, secondary migrants from other US cities, and a newborn generation of Bosnian Americans. With a current population of about 70,000, they constitute the largest population of Bosnians in the USA. They are credited with revitalizing the St. Louis neighborhood of Bevo Mill and stabilizing the citys declining population. Bosnians have created a distinctive ethnic enclave that is visible on the commercial, religious, and residential landscapes, and they have found a place in the wider receiving community. Drawing upon field observations, the local media, and the work of fellow scholars, this article investigates two decades of Bosnian place-making in south St. Louis. Through this case study, the author also seeks to fill a gap in the scholarly literature of this relatively recent diaspora by documenting the Bosnian imprint on the cultural landscape.

ETHNIC AND NATIONAL IDENTITIES OF AFRICANS IN THE UNITED STATES

ABSTRACT. The emerging scholarly literature on contemporary African migration to the United States has primarily focused on populations concentrated in large urban areas. In contrast, this study considers the experiences of African university students living in two distinctly different places, Eugene, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., to examine how the context of the local host community shapes ethnic and national identities. Specific contextual variations under consideration are the extent to which newcomers have contact with coethnics/conationals and access to material and nonmaterial culture. Results based on thirty‐six in‐depth interviews show that, despite easy access to coethnics, some students in the Washington metropolitan area readily identified with conationals. Likewise, in the absence of coethnics in Eugene, many students described strengthening national identities; and, in the absence of conationals, they have constructed panethnic African identities. Additional research into the experiences of newcomers in various host‐community contexts is needed.

Diverse Experiences in Diversity at the Geography Department Scale

Departments are critical intervention points for enhancing diversity in any academic discipline, yet their experiences related to diversity differ widely. This article explores how several geography departments that vary by region, setting, and institutional type have experienced and promoted diversity. We also explore geography at different types of institutions, particularly minority-serving institutions and land-grant colleges and universities. We conclude that plans for improving the recruitment and retention of diverse students and faculty should make explicit the connection between structural factors, such as institutional contexts, and the agency of geography departments as key actors.

A Review of “Latino Immigrants and the Transformation of the U.S. South”

worthwhile because of the value of potential development behind the new structure. Chapters 6 and 7 bookend Hurricane Katrina. The first of the two chapters notes how New Orleans experienced its most dramatic growth (suburban sprawl) when major storm events were at a low point (1948–1978). Add in a slow-to-develop protection system with more impervious surfaces and more drained and developed wetlands, and the recipe for more people at risk is complete. In chapter 7, the summation, there is no assessment of the structures and no assignation of blame, only an appeal for us to better understand the “social, economic, and political currents” (p. 149) along with the physical environment to appreciate coastal Louisiana as a perilous place. Finding the appropriate line between providing too little versus too much detail is the one general drawback of the book. Colten provides an endless stream of information on some points (levee heights, monies appropriated, type of construction material) but not nearly enough on others. As an example, the distinction between “I-type” and “t-type” floodwalls (p. 53), if even necessary to identify those features with such specificity, could be made more accessible with a diagram. A final minor irritation implicates the maps. Overall they are crisp, clear, and uncluttered. In some instances these commendable traits are problematic. There are numerous cases within the text where named places do not appear on the map; in some places the map feature is spelled differently than in the narrative (Port Sulphur or Sulfur?). For the sake of those much less familiar with the area this should be remedied; a large-scale map of New Orleans would be useful, too. Overall, Colten fulfills his goal of sorting out the various actors and agendas that affect the development of the coastal Louisiana and New Orleans flood and hurricane protection system. The narrow focus of the book will restrict its audience to some extent, but researchers and students engaged in urban– environmental issues or hazards policy will find much to maintain their interest.

Developing Mission-Focused Outcomes for a Professional Conference: The Case of the National Conference on Geography Education

Abstract Conferences are principal mechanisms for professional organizations to advance their missions. Conference evaluations can measure mission-related outcomes in order to gauge an organizations impact on the professional growth and development of its community and other stakeholders. Using data from two recent conference evaluations, this article examines the impact of the National Conference on Geography Education in an effort to encourage a discussion about possible future directions.