Anthropology Students Use University Libraries for Research Project

Anthropology Students Visit the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection for Research and Learning


Students from Anthropology 471/571 (Ethnohistory) visited the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on Monday, February 4, for an instructional session on using maps and atlases in research. Students learned about ancient maps, the biases in mapmaking, using historical and thematic maps, census maps, and atlases to study different ethnic groups and history.

Colleen Boyd, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology, is introducing students to different areas of University Libraries that can be used for “hands-on” research. Boyd assigned the students an interesting project involving toponyms, place names. Students were asked to use maps and other sources to research how a place in Indiana got its name. A book in the GRMC, Indiana Place Names by Ronald Baker and Marvin Carmony, provided anecdotes about how different places in Indiana got their names. A map, Indiana, the Influence of the Indian upon its History: with Indian and French Names for Natural and Cultural Locations, was also an important resource used for the assignment. Students also visited the Archives & Special Collections to complete their research on toponyms.

For more information about using the resources of the GRMC or for planning a customized instructional session using the Collection, please contact the GRMC in Bracken Library from Monday through Friday.