Time and Relative Dimensions in Space: Historical Analysis and Visualisation with GIS
| Module title | Time and Relative Dimensions in Space: Historical Analysis and Visualisation with GIS |
|---|---|
| Module code | CLA3131 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Leif Isaksen (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
History does not just unfold over time—it happens in space. Understanding where events occurred and how they relate geographically is key to uncovering deeper historical insights. Thanks to advances in geospatial technology, especially Geographic Information Systems (GIS), analysing and visualising historical landscapes is now more accessible than ever. This interdisciplinary module will equip you with the skills to explore and present history across cities, regions, and continents using digital tools, and allow you to pursue your own personal GIS project. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity about the past and an interest in technology. This module complements “Imagining the World: Geographic thought and representation in Antiquity”, but stands alone as an exciting way to map history.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The central focus of this module is the development of proficiency in utilising Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for historical research, encompassing a broad spectrum of historical periods. This encompasses the following key skills:
- The production and compilation of spatial data pertaining to historical phenomena from diverse sources.
- The execution of various forms of spatial analysis and visualisation.
- The generation of professional-grade cartographic outputs for research reports.
- The critical evaluation of data sources and maps produced by others.
- Advanced capabilities such as 3D mapping, time-mapping, and interactive web-mapping.
Geographic relationships and distributions play a significant role in almost every career sector, so these skills possess a high degree of transferability to a wide range of professional contexts. Additionally, you will engage in a personal GIS project throughout the course that aligns with your personal interests.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Apply geospatial technologies to a broad range of processes relating to the study of the distant or recent past.
- 2. Produce interactive and static maps to depict and explain historical phenomena.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically evaluate geographic source materials.
- 4. Produce and critique spatial arguments about the past.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Incorporate spatial thinking into any sector in which geographic factors may play a role.
- 6. Synthesise, analyse and present multiple complex datasets to pursue a specific research agenda.
Syllabus plan
The module will broadly be based around the development of a personal project by building on the concepts introduced in the seminars. As the course progresses, you will learn:
- Fundamental concepts in geography and geodesy
- Key functions of GIS software
- How to work with commonly-used geospatial data formats
- A variety of analytical techniques for evaluating spatial data and drawing conclusions about it
- How to produce maps for reports and publications
- Advanced skills relevant to historical analysis
- How to critically evaluate geospatial content produced by others
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | 122 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 1 x 2-hour weekly seminar including critical discussion of course themes, and peer and staff support for personal project work. |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 6 | Recorded lectures on ELE |
| Guided independent study | 122 | Independent study time (e.g. secondary readings, preparation for seminars, study of written tutorials, work on personal project) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project plan | 500 words | 1-3, 5, 6 | Written |
| Participation in seminar discussion and tutorials | Weekly | 1-6 | Verbal from lecturer and peers |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print and interactive digital maps of a historical event or process | 50 | 3 Maps | 1, 2, 4, 6 | Written |
| Critical survey of project sources | 50 | 2000 words | 3-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print or interactive digital map of a historical event or process (3 maps) | Print or interactive digital map of a historical event or process (3 maps) | 1, 2, 4, 6 | Referral / Deferral period |
| Critical survey of project sources (2000 words) | Critical survey of project sources (2000 words) | 3-6 | Referral / Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Akerman, J. R. and Karrow Jr., R. W. eds.Maps: Finding Our Place in the World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.Bodenhamer, D. J., Corrigan, J. and Harris, T. M.The Spatial Humanities: GIS and the Future of Humanities Scholarship. Indiana University Press, 2010.
- Baker, A. R. H. Geography and History: Bridging the Divide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
- Cope, M. and Elwood, S., eds. Qualitative GIS: A Mixed Methods Approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2009.
- Dunn, S. A history of place in the digital age. (Digital Research in the Arts and Humanities). Routledge. 2019.
- Ethington, P. J. “Placing the Past: ‘Groundwork’ for a Spatial Theory of History.”Rethinking History. 11 (2007), 465-494, 2007.Knowles, A. K.Placing History: How Maps, Spatial Data, and GIS Are Changing Historical Scholarship. Redlands, Cal.: ESRI Press, 2008.
- Gillings, M., Hac?güzeller, P. and Lock, G. Archaeological Spatial Analysis: A Methodological Guide. London: Routledge, 2020
- Tufte, E. R. The Visual Display of Quantitative Information. Second Ed. Cheshire, Conn.: Graphics Press, 2007.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
- A Gentle Introduction to GIS:https://docs.qgis.org/3.34/en/docs/gentle_gis_introduction
- QGIS Training Manual:https://docs.qgis.org/3.34/en/docs/training_manual
- Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire: https://imperium.ahlfeldt.se
- Digital Augustan Rome:https://www.digitalaugustanrome.org
- Mapping Past Societies:https://darmc.harvard.edu
- ORBIS: The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Ancient World: https://orbis.stanford.edu
- The Pleiades Gazetteer: https://pleiades.stoa.org
- ToposText:https://topostext.org
- World Historical Gazetteer: https://whgazetteer.org
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- QQIS (software download): https://qgis.org
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 03/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 03/02/2025 |
