Learning objectives

This course aims at making students acquainted with the knowledge of cartography understood as the language of geography and as an expressive way of space organization. Beginning from the first graphic expressions of space, working on theoretical and practical processes, the student will arrive to the practical use of GIS and GPS and their application in geographic, archaeological, historical and cultural fields. Analyzing the history of cartographic techniques, the course will highlight mental processes, interdisciplinary relationships and objectives, through which mankind has organized and design the future of territories in different scales. Its knowledge, as a form of language and means of communication, aims at providing interpretative keys for decoding the concerned visual messages.

Prerequisites and basic notions

For the theoretical part nothing in particular, for the practical part basic computer knowledge about the use of PCs

Program

The course is structured in a theoretical and a practical part and will cover the following topics:
- Space and its representation from prehistoric times to the present day
- Spatial representation as the language of geography
- The profession of cartographer yesterday and today
- Innovative tools for spatial representation: GIS and WebGIG
- The geo-referencing of historical maps
- The positioning systems for the census of cultural heritage
If possible, experts in cartographic research related to public and private companies of Verona will also be invited

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Teaching methods are distinct from attending and non-attending students.
With regard to attending students, teaching methods consist in lessons in Italian language devoted to the transmission of basic notions, key categories and key application tools. Additionally, exercises in the History and Cartography Didactics Lab provide useful support in understanding case studies related to the present day with maps and documentary material.
Throughout the academic year the teacher is available for an individual meetings, agreed via web or telephone. Attending students will receive the complete calendar of teaching activities with the dates, classrooms and topics covered in the lessons, and how to prepare and take the exam.
With regard to non-attending students, the teaching methods consist of a teacher support to facilitate the textbook study. Any further information will be provided to the student when the ad hoc program is agreed upon.
The content of the textbooks, as well as the lessons and exercises held in the classroom, is adhering to the program.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam will take the form of an oral interview

Evaluation criteria

During the exam:
- attending students will be required to demonstrate the knowledge of the topics and topics developed during the classroom meetings, with references both to the theoretical parts of the manual and essays, both to those practical workshops, with focus on GIS and Webgis applications. There will be handouts on laboratory activities.
- Non-attending students will be asked four questions related to the program previously agreed with the teacher.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The vote will be expressed in thirtieths

Exam language

Italiano