The value of GIS in the humanities has been heavily discussed over the last few years, but it remains difficult for most humanists to get started and explore new methodologies, vocabularies, software, and procedures.
This fully introductory session will go over:
- how to install QGIS (a free, open-source alternative to ArcGIS)
- basic concepts of GIS software
- finding and using shapefiles (to generate maps)
- finding data to map
- mapping historical data on a modern map (ie linking data to shapefiles)
- mapping historical data on historic maps (ie map overlays)
We will walk through each of these procedures using an example of mapping civil war battles (because that’s what one does in Virginia).
