Discourse and Discipline of GIS

: In this lesson, we will debate how to counter problematic representations of GIS.

Friday, April 2

Reading

Please read the following paper, which is an analysis of how GIS is typically taught and the implications of this for practicing geography and GIS.

1. St. Martin, K., and J. Wing. 2007. The discourse and discipline of GIS. Cartographica 42 (3):235–248. 10.3138/carto.42.3.235-248

The version of GIS education described by St. Martin and Wing (2007) is the predominant view in the United States. However, it might not seem consistent with your experience at Middlebury.

Debate

Please prepare to debate one of these positions based on the content of the reading and a minimum of outside research (e.g. looking at a research university GIS curriculum, a corporate GIS website, or an Open Source GIS project)

1. GIS is a singluar technology: Drew and Emma B
2. GIS is not a singular technology: Maja and Emma C
3. GIS is progressing along a linear path: Vincent and Jacob
4. GIS has not progressed along a linear path: Evan, Brooke and Alitzel
5. GIS is inherently expansive and growing: Arielle and Sam
6. There are or should be limits to GIS expansion and growth: Steven W and Jackson
7. GIS is universally applicable: Nick and Hannah
8. GIS is not universally applicable: Sanjana and Maddie

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