HIST 615: Problems in American History

HIST 615-007: History and Cartography
(Fall 2010)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM R

Section Information for Fall 2010

Historians are most accustomed to dealing with maps as basic topographical or political descriptions, but maps can be read as evidence in their own right. This course sets out to accomplish three goals: to introduce students to the idea of spatial relationships as historical evidence, to impart the skills to make a reasonably sophisticated map, and to experiment with the application of 3-D to historical visualization and reconstruction. The course, therefore, is both a traditional history and applied digital history course. While ArcView is the standard GIS software application and very useful to historians, those interested in learning ArcView are encouraged to consult on the Geography Department’s offerings. The course will begin by rethinking maps (loosely defined as any spatial arrangement), proceed to examining maps as evidence, and extend its inquiry to analyzing how maps can be used by historians. It will carry on by ferreting out maps suitable for digital adaptation and, thence, to creating a well-designed map in a vector- based application (Illustrator). The course will then turn to a terrain generator (Natural Scenery Designer) and work on a “rubber- sheeting” project. Finally, participants will engage in a historical reconstruction using a combination of one or more of the following: an architectural program (SketchUp), Sanborn Insurance maps, Google Earth, or bird’s-eye view maps, among others. The course will also include a field trip to the Maps Reading Room at the Library of Congress. This course is designed for students in either traditional or applied tracks (New Media) in the history graduate program, graduate students in allied disciplines, or advanced undergraduates. Graduate students, for example, who contemplate using maps in their dissertation work, will find the course extremely helpful. Although the course has a heavy computer component, it is intended for those with intermediate computer skills and assumes no prior knowledge of any of the software applications required for the course. Students who have completed Clio 2 (HIST 697-History & New Media), a graduate GIS or cartography course, or who possess a solid computer background will find their skills equal to the demands of the course. (This course fulfills no distribution requirement in US history, though it does count as an applied history class for students in Path II, Applied History.)

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 1-6

Readings and discussion of bibliographies, interpretations, and research trends in topics selected by instructor. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Related Course, Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.