Good history teachers incorporate many disciplines into their class lessons

History especially incorporates geography, literature, art, sociology, economics, and political science. For example, what if we taught history without maps? How would we have a visual and spatial understanding of the areas under discussion?

Maps are especially important in our history courses because each map maker has an agenda and a story to tell - a story that is more interesting and complete with the inclusion of a map. What story does this map tell?

Map of railroads 1850 and 1860

 

What agenda might the map makers of this series of maps have? http://www.wired.com/2013/08/how-segregated-is-your-city-this-eye-opening-map-shows-you/?mbid=psocial_db&source=TDB&via=FB_Page

Maps always tell some sort of story. As we look at the two maps below, what are the stories of the two different map makers?

Map of U.S. in 1803 Map showing loss of Indian land 1492 to present

And what story does this map tell - http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2014/05/language_map_what_s_the_most_popular_language_in_your_state.html

Map of languages spoken in U.S. other than English

And hundreds of interactive and animated maps are now available online that tell great historical stories. This one on the history of the Atlantic Slave Trade is a great example - http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_history_of_american_slavery/2015/06/animated_interactive_of_the_history_of_the_atlantic_slave_trade.html

Maps are fun - as we can see in this fantastic array of maps at http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/12/40-maps-that-explain-the-world/?lines and http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/01/13/40-more-maps-that-explain-the-world/?hpid=z4.

These maps are not only fun, but they are instructive - they make it clear that learning geography and teaching geography is no longer JUST learning about where places are in the world. In fact, they can teach us a great deal about society and they way it has been perceived throughout history. Indeed, today, geography must incorporate an understanding of how geography influences the cultural, religious, and political realities of nations, regions, and continents. Consider these definitions:

Thus, teaching geography in our classrooms requires us to teach students:

  1. to learn to read maps by thinking about how and why maps shape our perceptions of geography and our world;
  2. to think about geography in geopolitical terms; and
  3. to understand that history and geography are inextricably linked.

Once you buy into the above three beliefs, you can begin to see how important geography and geopolitical teaching is to your classroom. For instance:Peter Projection Map of the World

You will also want to teach them that anyone can draw a map! And why is this important? Because at some time or other in their lives, they will have to draw a map or give directions to a certain place. So, why not have them give it a try?

What we need to know about maps:
  1. Maps can be fun.
  2. Everyone can make a map.
  3. All maps are selective and represent a point of view.
  4. Every map is a view of the globe - to show one view accurately, you must distort another.
  5. It is important to ask questions about maps.
  6. Maps should be analyzed in geopolitical terms.
Questions to Think About When Reading Maps Map of highest salaries state by state
  1. For what specific purposes do you think the map was created?
  2. Who do you think would use this map?
  3. What is accurately reflected in this map?
  4. What is inaccurately reflected in this map?
  5. What story is told in this map?
  6. What cultural assumptions or biases are reflected on the map?
  7. What is at the center of the map?
  8. What is left in the margins of the map?
  9. What is entirely left off the map?
  10. Does the map emphasize the needs and goals of a certain class of people?
  11. Are quality of life issues reflected in the map?
  12. How would you change the map to better fit your needs and values?

 

 

 

 


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