Humanities on the Map: Discovering Spatial Humanities

An ACRL e-Learning Online Course
March 12 - 30, 2012

Description: The disciplines within the Humanities have always been studying space as a metaphor or means of interpretation. The rapid development and ubiquitous nature of geospatial technologies has led to the emergence of a new sub-discipline often called the Spatial Humanities or the GeoHumanities. The use of these technologies allows Humanities researchers to visualize and analyze information in geographic space like never before. Religious study students can analyze the patterns of dispersion of a particular religion, History students can "see" how land elevation influenced war, and Egyptologists can recreate ancient settlements on a map in 3D.  Because Humanities librarians are beginning to encounter students and faculty who want to include such geographic components to their papers and research they need to be aware of the different approaches to introducing geography and the study of space into other disciplines.  Through a variety of readings, resource assignments, and project evaluations this multi-week course will provide an overview/awareness of, discussions on the role of the librarian in and useful resources for assisting students and faculty in the Spatial Humanities.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Be more familiar with the literature of the Spatial Humanities.
  • Be able to identify many resources and tools available to assist students and faculty with incorporating maps/geography into research projects.
  • Be aware and more comfortable with their role in assisting faculty with the development of larger, online digital spatial humanities projects.

Audience: Humanities Librarians, Map/Geography Librarians, General Reference Librarians

Presenters: Marcy Bidney, Geospatial Information Librarian, Pennsylvania State University

Course Requirements: Your participation will require approximately three to five hours per week (primarily asynchronous) to:

  • Read the online seminar material
  • Post to online discussion boards
  • Complete online exercises
  • Complete a seminar evaluation form

Registration fees:

ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60
 

How to Register:

Register with Credit Card

  • Scroll down to the month when the event is offered. Select the "Register" link next to the course on ALA's Distance Learning page (linked above).
  • You will need to log in with your ALA ID & password. If you do not have an ALA ID & password, you will be asked to create one in order to register.

Register by PO

  • Download and complete the PO registration form.
  • Submit the form along with your actual PO to ALA registration (fax or mail; see form for details).
  • You will not be considered registered for the course until both your PO and the registration form have been received and processed by ALA registration.


Access instructions will be sent out one business day prior to the start of the course.

Member rates apply to personal memberships only. Want to join ACRL or ALA? Complete the online membership form, available on the ALA Web site. If you join ALA/ACRL within five days of registering, we will adjust your fee (please fax a copy of your completed registration form to ACRL at 312-280-2520 ).

Payment may be made by credit card or purchase order (PO) only. If paying by PO, the PO number is required at the time of registration. Class size is limited to 60 participants. Full refunds will be granted up to 14 days prior to the start of the seminar.

Questions should be directed to Margot Conahan at mconahan@ala.org.