History and GIS

Epistemologies, Considerations and Reflections

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Earth Sciences, Geography, History
Cover of the book History and GIS by , Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9789400750098
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 5, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9789400750098
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 5, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) – either as “standard” GIS or custom made Historical GIS (HGIS) – have become quite popular in some historical sub-disciplines, such as Economic and Social History or Historical Geography.
“Mainstream” history, however, seems to be rather unaffected by this trend. More generally speaking: Why is it that computer applications in general have failed to make much headway in history departments, despite the first steps being undertaken a good forty years ago?

With the “spatial turn” in full swing in the humanities, and many historians dealing with spatial and geographical questions, one would think GIS would be welcomed with open arms. Yet there seems to be no general anticipation by historians of employing GIS as a research tool. As mentioned, HGIS are popular chiefly among Historical Geographers and Social and Economic Historians. The latter disciplines seem to be predestined to use such software through the widespread quantitative methodology these disciplines have employed traditionally. Other historical sub-disciplines, such as Ancient History, are also very open to this emerging technology since the scarcity of written sources in this field can be mitigated by inferences made from an HGIS that has archaeological data stored in it, for example. In most of Modern History, however, the use of GIS is rarely seen. The intellectual benefit that a GIS may bring about seems not be apparent to scholars from this sub-discipline (and others).

This book wants to investigate and discuss this controversy. Why does the wider historian community not embrace GIS more readily? While one cannot deny that the methodologies linked with a GIS follow geographical paradigms rather than historical ones, the potential of GIS as a 'killer application'  for digital historical scholarship should be obvious.

This book brings together authors from Geography and History to discuss the value of GIS for historical research. The focus, however, will not be on the "how", but on the "why" of GIS in history.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) – either as “standard” GIS or custom made Historical GIS (HGIS) – have become quite popular in some historical sub-disciplines, such as Economic and Social History or Historical Geography.
“Mainstream” history, however, seems to be rather unaffected by this trend. More generally speaking: Why is it that computer applications in general have failed to make much headway in history departments, despite the first steps being undertaken a good forty years ago?

With the “spatial turn” in full swing in the humanities, and many historians dealing with spatial and geographical questions, one would think GIS would be welcomed with open arms. Yet there seems to be no general anticipation by historians of employing GIS as a research tool. As mentioned, HGIS are popular chiefly among Historical Geographers and Social and Economic Historians. The latter disciplines seem to be predestined to use such software through the widespread quantitative methodology these disciplines have employed traditionally. Other historical sub-disciplines, such as Ancient History, are also very open to this emerging technology since the scarcity of written sources in this field can be mitigated by inferences made from an HGIS that has archaeological data stored in it, for example. In most of Modern History, however, the use of GIS is rarely seen. The intellectual benefit that a GIS may bring about seems not be apparent to scholars from this sub-discipline (and others).

This book wants to investigate and discuss this controversy. Why does the wider historian community not embrace GIS more readily? While one cannot deny that the methodologies linked with a GIS follow geographical paradigms rather than historical ones, the potential of GIS as a 'killer application'  for digital historical scholarship should be obvious.

This book brings together authors from Geography and History to discuss the value of GIS for historical research. The focus, however, will not be on the "how", but on the "why" of GIS in history.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book Assessing the Risks of Nuclear and Chemical Contamination in the former Soviet Union by
Cover of the book The European Landscape Convention by
Cover of the book Human Casualties in Earthquakes by
Cover of the book Algorithm & SoC Design for Automotive Vision Systems by
Cover of the book Antarctic Futures by
Cover of the book School-Based Evaluation by
Cover of the book New Trends and Developments in Vaccines by
Cover of the book Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Amino Acids by
Cover of the book Transactions on Engineering Technologies by
Cover of the book Handbook of Recording Engineering by
Cover of the book Perspectives on Teaching and Learning English Literacy in China by
Cover of the book Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East by
Cover of the book Emerging International Dimensions in East Asian Higher Education by
Cover of the book Sirtuins by
Cover of the book Epictetus Philosopher-Therapist by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy