first. You may have spotted an error or inconsistency that I should correct. However, you may have reacted to some content that was supposed to generate discussion, rather than serve as the "final answer."
These web pages are an exploration into what makes Virginia special. It is an interdisciplinary journey through the history, economics, geology, biology, sociology, and other -ologies that can help explain how Virginia has evolved... and what the state may look like in the future.
This site is far from complete. More footnotes are now being added to document the sources of ideas and facts, and to allow the reader to examine those source materials independently. The content and the organization will be revised and expanded constantly.
This website was developed originally for the Geography of Virginia class (GGS 380) taught at George Mason University. Please do not assume that the material on this site is, in any way, an official statement of the university. The official disclaimer from the state's Use of Electronic Communications And Social Media is "views expressed on this website are my own and do not reflect the views of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
My own perspective on Virginia places continues to evolve and shift as I learn more about the state. Some pages are outdated and need maintenance, just as some links need to be corrected. Don't assume that every sentence on this site reflects my current point of view.
Some of the material is intended to stimulate college students to think on their own, and some statements may not be politically-correct. They may jar the sensibilties of the casual reader while (hopefully) shaking up the thinking of the students enrolled in the course. A good student should question the conventional wisdom, before rejecting it or accepting it. Developing critical thinking skills requires examining issues and events from different perspectives - in this case, with a spatial twist. If history helps to explain what happened and why it happened, then geography helps explain why it happened here rather than there.
If you find a statement to be incorrect or objectionable, please contact me via e-mail at first. You may have spotted an error or inconsistency that I should correct. However, you may have reacted to some content that was supposed to generate discussion, rather than serve as the "final answer."
The Copyright © 1998-2011 Charles A. Grymes notice is intended to ensure that this material is not used for commercial, for-profit purposes without specific permission.
Feel free to link to this site, and to use it for non-profit educational purposes.
