Spanish 779: Mapping the Early Modern World

Spring, 2007

Wednesday 3:30-6:00, CAB 324

Professor: Ricardo Padrón
Office: Wilson 119
Telephone: 924-7543 (w) 977-8929 (h)
Email: padron@virginia.edu
AIM: ricpadron
Office Hours: TR 3:30-4:30 and By Appointment.

Course Description:

The fifteenth through seventeenth centuries witnessed a profound transformation in western European notions of space and world. One of the ways in which this transformation manifested itself was through an explosion in the availability of maps of all kinds, as well as important changes in their nature. This course will examine the changing spatiality of western European culture by examining its “cartographic literature.” That is, it will examine both “literal” cartographic texts, such as maps, atlases, and cosmographies, alongside less literal cartographic texts, such as histories, epic poems, and plays. It will emphasize cartographic issues pertaining to European expansion in the Americas, the Pacific, and Asia. The course will draw as much as possible upon the period items available in UVA’s Special Collections Library, as well as upon critical work being carried out in the fields of English and French, as well as of Hispanic studies. The course will be conducted in English, and is open to all interested students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

The course assumes no prior knowledge of maps, mapping, or the history of cartography. It will begin with a crash-course on the subject, at least as relevant to the early modern period, and then proceed to examine recent theoretical approaches to maps and mapping, as well as different models for studying cartography in relation to other aspects of literature and culture. It will then develop these tools through the critical examination of a limited number of early modern literary works. The latter portion of the course will be dedicated to presentations by students of their final projects in process.

Expectations:

The grade will be based on daily participation in class discussions, a class presentation, and a significant final paper of roughly 25 pages. The presentation will give the student the opportunity to present his or her final project to the class, while it is still in-progress. Topics for the final paper should be determined -- in consultation with the instructor -- by spring break at the very latest.

Required Texts

These are not available at the Bookstore, but can be readily acquired, at a significant savings, on the ‘net.

Buisseret, David. The mapmaker's quest : depicting new worlds in Renaissance Europe. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

Cervantes, Miguel. Los trabajos de Persiles y Segismunda [The Trials of Persiles y Segismunda: A Northern Story]

Harley, J. B., and Paul Laxton. The New Nature of Maps: Essays in the History of Cartography. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. (Recommended)

Shakespeare, William. The Tempest

Jacob, Christian, and Edward H. Dahl. The sovereign map : theoretical approaches in cartography throughout history. [English-language ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2006.

Other required readings will be made available via the Toolkit

Schedule of Readings:

http://people.virginia.edu/~rp2d/Readings.SPAN779.Spring07.html

Please Note:

The Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese supports an environment in which all students, regardless of race, gender, age religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or physical disability are encouraged to learn and to develop their skills. If you have comments, suggestions or objections in this regard please do not hesitate to contact your instructor. If you would prefer to speak with someone other than your instructor, please call our Department Ombudsman at 924-7159.