Maps serve as visual representations of space. They encapsulate the intentions and perspectives of their creators and acquire new functionalities as people interpret and use them for various purposes. This course focuses on critical cartography, as it analyzes the power and influence wielded by maps. The course will explore maps, the process of map creation, and map interpretation. We will also delve into how mapping activities are inherently political and inseparable from power dynamics. The course examines the historical and cultural development of mapping with a focus on how maps perpetuate existing power structures through their creation, distribution, and interpretation. At the same time, we will also focus on the power of maps to disrupt and to promote social and environmental justice.
Learning Objectives:
- Critically analyze the use of maps in the media and by political/ized organizations.
- Recognize and respond to ethical dilemmas in mapping projects.
- Identify avenues of opportunity to achieve social and environmental justice goals.
- Apply an appreciation of the role of maps in society to a community mapping project.
Course Schedule:
Mapping Basics
Jan. 12 Spatial patterns Krygier & Wood (in class, PDF)
Jan. 14 What is GIS? The Unlikely History of Modern Maps
Jan. 19 No Class: MLK Day
Jan. 21 Making maps Tyner/Basic rules of cartography (PDF)
Power
Jan. 26 Propaganda (theories) Harley/Deconstructing the Map
Jan. 28 Propaganda (examples) Monmonier/Maps for Political Propaganda (PDF) Discuss Project 1
Feb. 2 Boundaries (theories) Modifiable Areal Unit Problem overview (PDF)
Feb. 4 Boundaries (examples) Gerrymandering, election mapping and other boundaries
Feb. 9 Restrictions (theories) Monmonier/Redlining and Greenlining (PDF)
Feb. 11 Restrictions (examples) National Zoning Atlas (video or transcript)
Project 1 Due Feb. 10
Feb. 16 Lies (theories) WhenMapsLie/Wiseman (PDF)
Feb. 18 Lies (example) Wilder/Murder on May 4th (PDF)
Feb. 23 Data (theories) Data visualization bias or How to Lie with Data (classes)
Feb. 25 Data (examples) Brewer/Basic mapping principles for visualizing cancer data
Empowerment
March 2 MIDTERM
March 4 Critical GIS O’Sullivan/Critical GIS (PDF)
SPRING BREAK
March 16 Countermapping Fitzgerald Forward viii to xiii (skim the early bio part)
March 18 Countermapping on Bicycles (PDF)
March 23 Participatory GIS (theory) PPGIS overview
March 25 Participatory GIS (examples) Participatory GIS for Environmental Justice
March 30 Open Source Mapping Sui/Emerging GIS Themes (PDF)
April 1 Open Mapping (in practice) Open Mapping Towards SDGs Introduction (pgs 1-9) Introduce Project 2
April 6 Qualitative GIS theory Storytelling with Maps (PDF)
April 8 Qualitative GIS Wilson et al./Children’s perspectives
April 13 Community Geography theory Shannon et al. on Community Geography (PDF)
Introduce Final Project
April 15 Community Geography examples
Final Project
April 20 & 22 Basic online mapping how-to Part I (meet in lab) Project 2 Due on April 22
April 27 & 29: Share your final project ideas
Final Exam (9:45 am-noon) May 4
Final Project Due May 6 end of day
Final project options:
- Create a map that empowers (+ short write-up)
- Case study of empowerment through mapping: successes and challenges
- Research proposal that draws on critical mapping literature to suggest a project
- Detailed map proposal that uses critical mapping techniques
- Propose your own idea!