Richard Belsky

Com 380
Brief Reading 2
Territoriality
This article correlated with some concepts that we learned about in class. The articles
main point throughout the reading, were the different types of territories. We discussed these
four different types of territories in class, but the article gives a more in detailed description of
the four territories, as well as some examples. By reading this article, I was able to better
understand these four territories.
The first territory thats was described in the article was Public territory. The article
describes this territory as areas where individuals have the freedom of access, but not really the
action to claim citizenship. This correlated well with the definition that we discussed in class,
but went into more detail. The article stated that although all are free to access public territories,
the person must conform to the certain behaviors of that territory.
The second territory describe was Home territory. The article describes this territory as
regular participants have freedom of behavior and sense of control over the area. This territory
was simple to understand and find examples for. Areas, such as peoples houses, or for myself,
my room, are examples of home territory because it is a certain space or area where I am in
control and where I have freedom to do what I want.
The next territory was Interactional territory. This territory is where gatherings may
occur. I thought this territory was also simple to find examples for. When looking at this

territory, I thought of the cafeteria at WLC. It is a place where many people gather to interact
with each other.
Finally the last territory described, was Body territory. This territory was described as
spaced that is marked as reserve for our bodies. This to me, basically meant boundaries such as
personal space. To me this meant that a persons body is their territory, so they have the right to
do with their body as they seem fit. In the article, they used examples such as scars and tattoos
that are used to mark as persons body. This could be a sign of someone marking their territory.
The article also correlated with the material made we learned in class because the article
described when territories are invaded and also violated. Overall, I thought the article was an
effective way to understand the four different types of territories. The article described them in
more detailed way, also provided clear examples for each territory. I was able to think of similar
examples for each territory. The article also did a good job describing the concepts of when
territory is invaded or violated by an individual. The article did a good job using examples from
past events, to describe when happens when people feel their territory has been invaded by
another.