Z8110 History of Cartography I

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Bc. Zdeněk Stachoň, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Bc. Zdeněk Stachoň, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Bc. Zdeněk Stachoň, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 13 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the development of cartography and its products—particularly old maps, atlases, and globes—in their spatial and temporal contexts. The course presents all major historical maps and atlases, explaining their origin, content, and significance within their historical framework. At the same time, the course encourages students to study, analyze, critically assess, and use old cartographic artefacts as valuable sources for geographical and historical research. Emphasis is also placed on the preservation of these artefacts and on gaining an overview of important collections and institutions that curate this source material.
Learning outcomes
The student, after completing the course, will be able to:
- describe the main stages and key milestones in the development of cartographic production,
- understand the significance and value of cartographic cultural heritage and identify its fundamental elements,
- apply the principles and methods related to the care, documentation, and archiving of old maps and atlases.
Syllabus
  • 1. Definition and explanation of the concepts **history of cartography**, **history of maps**, and **historical cartography**. Development of knowledge about the history of cartography in the territory of the Czech historical lands.
  • 2. The beginnings of cartography and ancient non-European cartography.
  • 3. Ancient Greek cartography and its influence on the Renaissance of cartography.
  • 4. Ancient Roman cartography.
  • 5. Medieval European and non-European cartography.
  • 6. Renaissance cartography and the Dutch cartographic school.
  • 7. Modern-age cartography and the reformation of cartography.
  • 8. Detailed mapping of European countries from the mid-18th century onwards.
  • 9. Cartographic production of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century.
  • 10. Major map collections and archives; sources of cartographic materials, including digital and electronic resources.
  • 11. Possibilities for publishing old maps and their use in contemporary science, education, and the popularization of cartographic heritage.
Literature
    recommended literature
  • The history of cartography. Edited by J. B. Harley - David Woodward. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994, xxvii, 970. ISBN 0226316378. info
  • The history of cartography. Edited by J. B. Harley - David Woodward. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987, xxiv, 579. ISBN 0226316351. info
  • The history of cartography. Edited by J. B. Harley - David Woodward. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987, xxi, 599. ISBN 0226316335. info
  • The history of cartography. Edited by Malcolm Lewis - David Woodward. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998, xxi, 639. ISBN 0226907287. info
  • http://www.geogr.muni.cz/ucebnice/dejiny/ (v ní další doporučená literatura)
  • SEMOTANOVÁ, Eva. Kartografie v historické práci : Vademecum. 1. vyd. Praha: Historický ústav AV ČR, 1994, 235 s. ISBN 80-85268-37-X. info
  • SHORT, John R. The world through maps : a history of cartography. Toronto, Ont.: Firefly Books, 2003, 224 s. ISBN 1552978117. info
  • From Veduta to Photography :staging of the city and its history : articles and expanded papers from the 34th scientific conference of the Prague City Archives held in cooperation with the Institute of History at the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Faculty. Edited by Olga Fejtová - Václav Ledvinka - Martina Maříková - Jiří Pešek. Vydání první. Praha: Scriptorium, 2017, 731 stran. ISBN 9788088013730. info
  • Elektronický mapový portál Český historický atlas (https://ceskyhistorickyatlas.cz), 2020.
Teaching methods
Lectures, practical lessons and excursions.
Assessment methods
The course is completed with an examination in which the student demonstrates knowledge of the development of European and non-European cartography, as well as the ability to work with old maps and atlases and to use them as sources of data.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2026, recent)
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