Geography Teachers’ Perceptions of Postmodern Geography

Abstract

Studies in postmodern geography focus on how territories are constructed and themeanings are attached to spaces. However, postmodern geographies have not been on theagenda of Turkish geography education. In this paper, perceptions and opinions of geographyteachers about some issues of postmodern geography are examined. Data was collected throughsemi-structured interviews that were carried out with twenty-one geography teachers. Data iscoded and the coded-data brought together under relevant themes. According to the findings,teachers usually use grand narratives in their teaching without making connections with cultures(spaces). Secondly, space is usually understood as a container that could be known objectivelyand where human activities take place without problematising such issues as the meanings andemotions attached to space and the role space play in building identities. Finally, the teacherswere observed as not being familiar with the concept of postmodern geography.