Amerykańska szkoła geografii kultury. Problemy, perspektywy

Abstract

Carl Sauer - the founder of American geography of culture treated this scientific discipline as a synonym of humanistic geography in general. The article presents and evaluates the main scientific assumptions and interests of C. Sauer’s school. It deals with some negligence in the American geography of culture in the sphere of scientific awareness as well as the fields of research. It also points to certain limitations of this school to which its critics include exaggerated absorption in material aspects of culture, perception of dynamics of culture as spatial patterning of its elements and preoccupation with problems of pre-industrial culture. Modem humanism which forms new standards of science can provide this trend of humanistic geography with new theoretical and methodological acpects and vigour. Humanism underlines such almost-forgotten features of man as his awareness and set of values. Its intellectual interests focus also on the relationship of man with his landscape, which continues scientific interests of Sauer’s school.

Przedmiotem zainteresowań autorki artykułu są trendy badawcze amerykańskiej szkoły geografii kultury Carla Sauera. Analiza ewolucji kierunków badawczych tej subdyscypliny geograficznej stała się płaszczyzną oceny jej osiągnięć i ograniczeń oraz zaprezentowania jej możliwych perspektyw.