ISIN 4510

Conduct of Inquiry: A History of Maps

Evelyn Edson

            Maps are far from being a objective representations of physical reality. To make a map is to choose: roads rather than railroads, uranium deposits instead of public park, cities with large populations rather than cities with historical significance, and so on. There are maps of the world from God’s point of view and from that of the British Empire, maps for the sailor which ignore features on land, maps of the “dream-time” of the Australian people. Looking at a map from the past or from another culture one must ask: what was the mapmaker’s goal? Who was the audience for the map, and how was it intended to be used? If the map differs from a modern map, it is not necessarily “wrong,” but perhaps it had a different purpose. This course will cover a wide variety of maps from different societies and periods of history, considering them as social, philosophical, and political documents, as well as technical achievements of the mapmaker.

            Readings will include a general history of cartography by Norman Thrower, a book of essays covering a wide range of topics in the field, and a book of interpretative essays by J. Bryan Harley, one of the leading theorists.

            The course will be conducted by a combination of lecture and discussion. Students will be judged on class participation, including an oral report, and proficiency in writing several essays, as well as a research paper on a chosen topic. There will also be a field trip to the Library of Virginia in Richmond to view a collection of early American maps and attend a program of lectures.

            As a “Conduct of Inquiry” class methods of research and writing in the social sciences will be emphasized.