Ronald W Luna
Developing Countries: Gender, Poverty, and Globalization explores fundamental concepts of geography relating to developing countries. Students will learn how culture evolves spatially and temporally, and how these evolutions impact perceptions, actions, values, and ethnic identity. They will analyze major theories, and the human and physical contexts in which these theories are applied. The text begins by addressing the nature of developing countries, as well as the legacy of colonization. It then explores issues such as population, urbanization, globalization, gender, ethnic conflict, and migration. Students will examine these issues and consider how policies can be developed to create social change. Insightful and engaging, Developing Countries provides a geographical perspective on the developing world, teaches students about cultural diversity, and introduces the methods used by geographers to explore the multidimensional human environment.Ronald W. Luna holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he is currently a lecturer and the undergraduate director in the Department of Geographical Sciences. His regular course offerings include the geography of Latin America, the geography of developing nations, and migration between Latin America and the United States. A native of El Salvador, Dr. Luna is particularly interested in the transnationalism linkages created by the Latino Community in the United States and in their home countries. He is a frequent guest lecturer and presents regularly at conferences on issues of transnationalism, and the Latino presence in America. In spring 2010, he was awarded the Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award for excellence in service to the College of Behavioral and Social Science and the Department of Geographical Sciences. In spring 2013, he received the Undergraduate Studies General Education Program Teaching Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers who have demonstrably changed the lives of their students by influencing their career directions and improving students' understanding of complex issues.
