Speakers Bureau Speaker
Elizabeth Larson-Keagy, Tempe
Dr. Larson-Keagy teaches in the School of Geographical Sciences at Arizona State University. In 1997, she coordinated "Voices from Communities in Transition" for AHC, a project that earned the Schwartz Prize for "Excellence in Public Programming" from the Federation of State Humanities Councils. In 2002, she received the Distinguished Public Scholar award from AHC. She continues to work with AHC editing their newsletter, and as a member of the Speakers Bureau.
Presentations may be made in Spanish, and are suitable for high school as well as adult audiences.
Cultural and Physical Geographies of Southwest Asia and Afghanistan
Cultural and Physical Geographies of Southwest Asia and Afghanistan
Two regions of the world - Southwest Asia and Central Asia (of which
Afghanistan is a part) - are in the news every day. Often we lump the
countries and regions together, and use the term "Middle East" to describe
that part of the world, yet the regions are very geographically complex,
physically and culturally. For example, the "Middle East" is only a portion
of the larger region of Southwest Asia. And Afghanistan is one of several
countries in Central Asia, sometimes referred to as "the stans." And, to add
to the regional diversity, North Africa is discussed in context with the
larger region of Southwest Asia. This region of the world is, of course, the
core of the Muslim world, yet it is also the heart of Judaism and
Christianity. This region is the Arab world, and it is the world of the
Persian Empire and modern-day Iranians, and of course, the Turks. It is also
where ethnic Kurds live, a people without a nation, straddling four
countries. All of these people (and more!) reside in this vast, diverse
region. This presentation helps organize and sort out the geographic and
demographic complexities of this part of the world.
• Larson-Keagy provides PowerPoint, and host organization provides screen.
U.S. Population Beyond 300 Million
In the fall of 2006, the United States population reached 300 million. The country has the world’s third highest population tally, yet, in terms of density of human population, it is at about 142 out of 192. Using U.S. Census data, maps, graphs, charts, and photos, this illustrated presentation looks at demographic patterns and trends in the U.S. For example, which parts of the country are most densely populated, and which parts are least densely settled? How is the country changing in terms of demographic indicators? This talk also raises questions and issues related to population in the US over the several decades – diversity and assimilation issues, environment and resource depletion issues, and labor needs and the labor force, among others. For example, the U.S. is an aging population, and the country is becoming more diverse in many other ways including income, ethnicity, and race. What percentage of the U.S. population is due to natural growth, and what percentage is due to immigration?
• Larson-Keagy provides PowerPoint, and host organization provides screen.
What is the World Growing To? Earth Beyond 6 Billion!
Earth’s population has grown beyond 6 billion people. China and India alone account for about 2.5 billion. The U.S. has about 300 million. Where is everyone else? Which parts of the world are growing at the fastest and slowest rates, and what is the comparative standard of living in various world regions? While some world regions are growing rapidly, such as countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, some European countries and Japan are experiencing little or even negative growth, and the United States is growing slowly as well. Yet how much of the U.S.’s growth is natural growth, and how much is due to immigration? And how does disease, such as HIV/AIDS, affect places like sub-Saharan African countries? In addition, this talk examines the ‘age-structure’ of a population, which offers insight into future population trends. Finally, this presentation raises questions about culture and population trends, poverty and population, affluence and population, resource depletion and population, and many others.
Who Lives in Arizona? Arizona’s Changing Demography
Historically, Arizona was thought of as the land of three cultures - Anglos, Hispanics, and Indians. The talk "Arizona’s Changing Demography" uses national census data, media coverage, and other graphics to explore the way in which Arizona’s population has changed over the decades, and given certain trends, how it will grow in the future. It examines current immigration and ethnicity, socio-economic disparities, and the age-distribution of Arizona’s population by county, as well as other factors that help gain perspective about the changing face of Arizona. This PowerPoint presentation also raises questions about the state’s population trends and its present and future opportunities and needs.
