'Relevance' in Geography

'Relevance' in Geography may be described as a debate or movement concerned, not with the nature of the subject,but rather with the use to which it should be put. It is concerned, as it were, not with the design of the ship but with its proper compass heading It is not a branch of Geography but rather an outlook or attitude that may permeate many if not all its recognized branches. The movement is of very recent origin - perhaps within the present decade - and it is currently fashionable in some circles. It should, perhaps, be seen in the wider context of a 'relevance' debate throughout much of the academic world at present, which asks the question 'what use is this knowledge?' for it is certainly not confined to Geography.

Presented to the 1977 Workshop of the Geographical Association of Rhodesia, Victoria Falls, August 30-September 3, 1977.