Course: Historical Geography

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Course title Historical Geography
Course code KGG/KHIG
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course unspecified
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Frajer Jindřich, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Daniel Jan, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
This course will introduce the basic concepts and approaches of historical geography to the study of place and space. Particular attention will be paid to the sources through which we can learn about the past geographical environment. Students will thus become familiar with the institutions that preserve these sources, as well as with freely accessible databases of historical sources (primarily written, iconographic, cartographic, and multimedia). Emphasis will be placed on the critical analysis of sources and their applicability to the study of changes in a specific territory, landscape, or place over time. Students will gain practical experience working with written sources (chronicles), old maps (in a GIS environment), and historical photographs and postcards (using the comparative photography method).

Learning activities and teaching methods
Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Demonstration
  • Attendace - 40 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 35 hours per semester
  • Homework for Teaching - 15 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
This course will introduce students to historical geography as a subdiscipline of geography, along with its basic concepts and terminology. Students will gain knowledge of the various types of sources available for Czech historical-geographical research. They will acquire basic methodological skills for their practical application in the study of the development of a specific geographical area (e.g., a municipality).
To become familiar with the basic terms and concepts of historical geography. To be able to locate and critically analyze information from historical sources from the Czech Republic that are relevant to issues related to the development of places in space and time.
Prerequisites
Knowledge covered in the obligatory courses preceding this course in the curriculum. Primarily Maps and GIS and Geographical Thinking.

Assessment methods and criteria
Student performance, Dialog, Seminar Work

Knowledge covering the material presented in lectures and the assigned reading. Mandatory attendance at seminars (1 absence is permitted) Preparation for seminars (reading the assigned material) Completion of 3 assigned practical exercises.
Recommended literature
  • Baker, A. R. H., & Billinge, M. (1982). Period and place: research methods in historical geography. Cambridge.
  • Baker, A. R. H., & Gregory, D. (2010). Explorations in historical geography: interpretative essays. New York, N.Y.
  • Baker, A. R. H. (2003). Geography and History: Bridging the Divide (Cambridge Studies in Historical Geography). Cambridge.
  • Butlin, R. A. (1993). Historical Geography. Through the Gates of Space and Time. London.
  • Domosh, M., Heffernan, M., Withers, Ch. W. J. (2020). The SAGE handbook of historical geography. Los Angels.
  • Semotanová, E. (2002). Historická geografie českých zemí. Praha.
  • Semotanová, E., Chromý, P., Kučera, Z. Historická geografie. Tradice a modernita. Praha. 2018.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester