An introduction to island studies. (2020)

• Record Type: Book
• Further Information: Note: James Randall.
• Authors: Randall, James
• Contents: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Detailed TOC ; ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter One: Introduction ; This chapter describes the purpose and the motivation for the book, and situates the ensuing discussion within the overarching dichotomies described above. ; <span style="font-weight:bold;"> ; Themes Vulnerability and Resilience Isolation and Connectedness Diversity and Cohesion Boundaries and Limitations to this Study of Islands Outline of Chapters <span style="font-weight:bold;"> ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 2: Definitions and Classifications of Islands ; In this chapter we introduce students to complexities of island definitions and classifications. For example, how do functional and perceptual definitions of islands differ from what you might find listed under the word ‘island’ in a dictionary? What is the difference between a continent and an island, or is there any difference? The word ‘island’ itself has been used metaphorically in so many odd and unusual ways, as in ‘a heat island’ or ‘a traffic island’ or ‘an island in a kitchen’. What do these and other appropriations of the word <span style="font-style:italic;">island tell us about our shared understanding of islands? We also review several of the common typologies or classifications of islands, as seen through the lenses of such disciplines as geomorphology, political science and international relations. ; ; 2.1. Definitions of the Term ‘Island’ ; 2.1.1. Dictionary Definitions ; 2.1.2. Historical and Linguistic Definitions ; 2.1.3. The Island as Metaphor ; 2.1.4. Functional Definitions ; 2.2. When is an Island a Continent, Archipelago, Atoll, Islet, Cay or Reef? ; 2.3. Artificial or Anthropogenic Islands ; 2.4. Classifications of Islands ; 2.4.1. Oceanic and Continental Islands ; 2.4.2. A Political Classification ; 2.4.3. Other Important Terms ; ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 3 : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Physical Processes and Islands (provided as a sample chapter) ; Much has been written about the physical processes that have formed islands, from subduction and the movement of the Earth’s tectonic plates, to volcanic upheaval and the deposition of riverine alluvial sediments. In this chapter we examine the physical processes that have created and modified the islands of the world. In addition to geomorphological processes, the evolution of island flora and fauna is one of the most fascinating aspects of island studies. Island locations offer some of the best examples of endemism and species biodiversity and, as such, are a cultural and economic treasure trove for islanders and the larger global society. Whether from the perspective of Charles Darwin’s analysis of finches on the Galápagos Islands or Alfred Wallace’s description of species differentiation across the islands of Southeast Asia, the examination of island biogeography has important implications for the evolution of the human species and life on our planet. This chapter also examines the climatology of islands, from the microclimates that create lush rainforests just a short distance from desert-like regions to the longer-term impacts of climate change on islands. ; ; 3.1. The Formation and Structure of Islands ; 3.2. The Evolution of Island Flora and Fauna ; 3.2.1. Endemism, Biogeography and Biodiversity ; 3.3. Islands, Microclimates and Climate Change ; ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 4 : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Images of Islands from Literature and the Popular Media ; Our popular images and stereotypes of islands have been created across a variety of media, from the sagas told by returning European explorers and merchants, to children’s adventure stories, to literature and poetry, cinema, television, music and even advertising. Here, we study these multiple forms of popular expression of islands, from the perspective of how they have shaped the images of islands and islanders and how these representations have influenced how islanders see themselves. ; ; 4.1. Islands in Literature and Poetry ; 4.1.1. Historical Literature and European Exploration ; 4.1.2. Islands and Twentieth Century Literature ; 4.1.3 Islands as Represented in Poetry ; 4.2. The Music of Islands ; 4.3. Islands in Cinema, Television and Advertising ; ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 5: The Settling of Islands and Indigenous – Outsider Interactions ; It may be a truism to state that all inhabited islands have been settled at some point in history, or prehistory, by immigrants. <span style="font-weight:bold;"> This chapter traces the settling of islands, from the indigenous peoples to the interactions between indigenous island societies and non-indigenous societies. The islander-outsider relationship is one that has spanned thousands of years. Historic examples of these relationships and the perceptions that have been generated by islander and non-islander interactions will help us to better understand the current social, economic and political life of islanders. ; ; 5.1. Pre-Historical Human Settlement of Islands – Two Case Studies: ; 5.1.1. Oceania and the Polynesians ; 5.1.2. North Atlantic and the Vikings ; 5.2. Islander and European Encounters – Explorers, Missionaries and Merchants ; ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 6 : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Islands, Islandness and Culture ; The more recent relationships between islanders and mainlanders form a part of Chapter 6. The concept of islandness, not to be confused with insularity, is one of the most prominent and significant terms in island studies. This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion of the interpretations and applications of islandness, primarily from the perspective of islanders but also from those who have not been raised in island environments. ; ; 6.1. Islandness ; 6.2. Homogeneity and Heterogeneity on Islands ; 6.3. Islander – Outsider Relationships in the Twentieth Century ; ; <span style="font-weight:bold;">Chapter 7 : <span style="font-weight:bold;">Geopolitics and Island Governance ; In spite of an assumed and imputed association with marginalisation, many islands had, and continue to hold, a prominent political place in the world. In this chapter, we describe the geopolitical roles played by the world’s islands and the level of power and autonomy they may or may not exercise. Over the past sixty years, and at least partly as a function of the creation of many more sovereign island states, the recognition of exclusive economi
• Publisher Details: Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication Date: 2020
• Extent: 1 online resource, illustrations (black and white), maps (black and white)
• Subjects: 910.9142; Islands; Island ecology; Islands -- Economic conditions
• Languages: English
• ISBNs: 9781786615473
• Related ISBNs: 9781786615459; 9781786615466
• Notes: Note: Description based on CIP data; resource not viewed.
• Access Rights: Legal Deposit; Only available on premises controlled by the deposit library and to one user at any one time; The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations (UK).
• Access Usage: Restricted: Printing from this resource is governed by The Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations (UK) and UK copyright law currently in force.