Teaching Secondary Geography as if the Planet Matters

'Critical school geography has found in John Morgan a persuasive advocate well able to guide geography teachers through a much needed conceptual revolution in their subject. By focussing on the interface between society and nature he reveals the continuing influence of ideology on curriculum content; introduces a wide range of alternative ideas from academic geography based in political economy and social constructivism; and challenges teachers to once again become curriculum makers rather than transmitters of prescribed knowledge His grasp of curriculum history and politics, academic geography, and contemporary culture will impress the reader, as will his ability to render difficult ideas accessible and relate them to the teaching of such topics as the economy, transport, food, and climate change.

'As we face a continuing double crisis of economy and ecology, the Geographical Association's manifesto urges the teaching of 'powerful knowledge' and a Conservative led Government seeks to raise the profile of knowledge and subjects within debates on curriculum change. Teaching Geography as if the Planet Matters provides a timely outline of powerful knowledge and arguments that will be needed to counter a strengthening of current curriculum orthodoxies. Not until school geography undergoes the revolution that this book outlines can it honestly claim to be contributing to more sustainable futures.' - John Huckle, Visiting Fellow at the University of York and formerly Principal Lecturer in Educaton at De Montfort University.