070153 UE Course on Methodology - Geospatial Narratives: Advanced GIS Mapping and Analysis (2025S)

Course description
The course aims to give an insight to the advanced use of Geographical Information Systems primarily, but not exclusively, in the field of historical research and provide the students with useful, hands-on experience and knowledge that they can use in their further studies and work.
Although historical geography is a traditional part of the discipline of history, the use of GIS is not restricted to this subject. Due to the versatile application of GIS in historical research, its use has grown. GIS makes it possible to add a spatial reference to any historical problem, and with that, it opens new possibilities for research, both in terms of opening new questions and providing more data to be analysed in more ways.
The present course is the continuation of the course ‘2024W UE 070234-1 Methodenkurs - Spatial Histories: A GIS Approach to Understanding the Past’, where the visualisation of (historical) data has been the focus of the course. In this second stage, the intention of this course is to involve students more profoundly in the use of these applications and, with that, broaden the potential in their own research by learning to analyse the visualised data. During that, the students will be introduced to several methods for vector and raster analysis - their practical know-how, as well as their potential use in (historical) research.
The course will consist of both theoretical and practical classes. Students are expected to develop their own term project, which will consist of diverse GIS maps, which will be presented at the end of the term.
This course not only equips students with valuable GIS skills but also encourages them to think critically about the role of spatial analysis in historical scholarship. It fosters a deeper understanding of how geographical data can be used to enhance historical narratives and research.

The course is suitable only for students with prior experience in GIS who would like to develop their knowledge further or integrate GIS into their diploma work. The course will be taught in 180 min. blocks.

Learning outcomes:
This course aims to:
• Master advanced GIS techniques applicable to historical research.
• Apply temporal GIS methods to study changes across historical timelines.
• Develop complex spatial models to understand historical phenomena.
• Produce publication-quality historical maps and visualisations.
• Critically analyse spatial data within historical contexts.• Encourages them to think critically about the role of spatial analysis in historical scholarship
• Foster a deeper understanding of how geographical data can be used to enhance historical narratives and research

Course Objectives
After completing the course, students will:
• Develop skills in georeferencing historical maps and integrating diverse data sources.
• Analyse historical events and trends through spatial analysis.
• Create and interpret maps that communicate historical information effectively.
• Engage with current debates and methodologies in digital history and spatial humanities.
• Will be able to create datasets, visualise and analyse vectorised information in simple and more complex maps
• Acquire an additional approach in their own research
• Be able to make further progress in GIS applications on their own