Carl Sauer
Early Life and Education
Carl Ortwin Sauer was born on December 24, 1889, in Warrenton, Missouri. His parents were of German descent, and his father was a prosperous merchant. Sauer showed an early interest in the natural world, which was nurtured by his parents and his rural upbringing. He attended Central Wesleyan College in Warrenton, where he studied geology and botany. He then went on to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911.
Sauer continued his studies at the University of Chicago, where he was influenced by the work of geographer Ellsworth Huntington and anthropologist Frederick Starr. He completed his Ph.D. in geography in 1915, with a dissertation on the geography of the Ozark highland of Missouri.
Career
After receiving his Ph.D., Sauer taught at the University of Michigan from 1915 to 1923. During this time, he developed his ideas on cultural landscapes and the importance of human influence on the environment. In 1923, Sauer moved to the University of California, Berkeley, where he founded the geography department and served as its chair until his retirement in 1957.
Sauer's work at Berkeley was groundbreaking. He was one of the first geographers to emphasize the study of cultural landscapes – the human-modified environments that include fields, groves, and pastures. He argued that these landscapes are shaped not only by the physical environment but also by the cultural practices, technologies, and societal needs of the people who live in them.
Sauer's approach, known as the Berkeley School of Cultural Geography, had a profound influence on the field of geography. His emphasis on fieldwork and his holistic approach to the study of landscapes helped to shift the focus of geography from a purely physical science to a social science.
Key Concepts and Contributions
One of Sauer's most significant contributions to geography was his concept of the cultural landscape. He defined this as "the forms superimposed on the physical landscape by the activities of man." This concept emphasized the importance of human activity in shaping the environment and challenged the prevailing view that the physical environment determines human behavior.
Sauer also developed the concept of cultural diffusion, which describes how cultural traits, ideas, and technologies spread from one society to another. He argued that this process is a major driver of cultural change and diversity.
In addition, Sauer made significant contributions to the study of plant and animal domestication. He argued that the domestication of plants and animals was a key factor in the development of human societies and that this process was driven by human needs and cultural practices, rather than by environmental factors.
Later Life and Legacy
Sauer retired from teaching in 1957 but continued to write and conduct research until his death in 1975. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of geography, and his ideas continue to influence scholars in a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, archaeology, and environmental studies.
Sauer's emphasis on the importance of human activity in shaping the environment has also had a significant influence on contemporary discussions about sustainability and environmental management. His work serves as a reminder of the complex interactions between humans and their environment and the need for a holistic approach to understanding and managing these interactions.