Mapping the Humanities
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| CLAR3094 | Classics and Archaeology | 3 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- CLAR3094
- School
- Classics and Archaeology
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module introduces map-making for the Arts and Humanities. Designed to be relevant and valuable to students across the faculty, students will be introduced to the field of spatial humanities and will learn how to carry out spatial analyses of humanities datasets and present their findings to a high standard.
Research-led teaching will be utilised throughout the module, for both instruction and assessment, to introduce students to a broad range of exciting applications of spatial analysis in the Humanities. Teaching is delivered through paired lectures and practical sessions, introducing concepts and training students in their application respectively. In practical classes, students will learn the key principles of spatial analysis and digital cartography using open source Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Lectures and practical sessions will be supported by workshops which will enable students to explore and discuss the wider application and utility of the knowledge and skills being developed across the module. Workshop topics will include the role of GIS in digital humanities, and the role of this in research and practice more widely, and the employability value of GIS as a skill.
Key student outcomes will include an understanding of the uses of spatial data in the humanities and beyond; the skills to carry out spatial analysis; the ability to create high-quality maps; and the necessary knowledge to develop, apply, and market their skills in future.
Target Students
Available to Undergraduate level 2 and level 3 students in the Department of Classics and Archaeology, Liberal Arts students, subsidiary and exchange students and Natural Sciences students on the Archaeology pathway.
Classes
- One 1-hour workshop each week for 3 weeks
- One 2-hour practicum each week for 10 weeks
- One 1-hour lecture each week for 7 weeks
The module will be taught using the free open-source software QGIS (https://qgis.org/en/site/) to ensure students are able to access software to practice and implement their skills at home and after graduation. It requires access to specialist computer room facilities which are already in place for Geography.
Assessment
- 80% Coursework 1: 3200-word-equivalent practical project report.
- 20% Exam 1 (2-hour): 1 hour ExamSys test, multiple choice 25 questions
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The key aims of this module are: enabling students to develop an understanding of the uses of spatial data in the humanities and beyond; training students in the use of GIS software for map-making and spatial analysis; providing students with the skills needed to identify and address spatial problems, including how to locate and create spatial data; and ensuring students are aware of both the employability value of these skills and how to market them to potential employers.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate understanding of the concepts underlying GIS
Demonstrate an understanding of mapping conventions
Identify different spatial data types and their usage
Identify, locate and modify spatial datasets
Understand and apply raster and vector analyses
Explain the value of spatial analysis to Humanities questions
Appreciate the uses of GIS for analysis and for visual presentation
Intellectual Skills
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Appreciate the range of applications of GIS to practical and research problems
Explain the role and potential of Spatial and Digital Humanities
Assess a problem for spatial components and identify suitable data and methods of analysis for addressing it
Justify their choice of methods and presentation
Understand and interpret the results of spatial analyses
Evaluate the role and impact of GIS within Humanities research
Think in a cross-disciplinary way about the utility and application of spatial research methods
Professional Practical Skills
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate competency in the use of GIS software
Import, integrate, manipulate, analyse, and report on spatial data
Discuss and interpret spatial data within the context of a wide variety of applications
Identify uses for these skills within a wide variety of employment contexts
Transferable (key) Skills
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Identify and contextualise problems
Establish an appropriate workflow for solving complex problems
Participate productively in group discussions
Work to deadlines
Work collaboratively during practical classes
Have the confidence to learn and apply specialist software and advanced IT skills
Collect and integrate multiple sources of information in the process of problem-solving