Teaching Asia with Maps: A Hands-On Pedagogy Workshop at the Earth Sciences & Map Library in the Benson BuildingÌý04.08.2026

ancient hand drawn map of Asia

April 8thÌý
2:00pm-3:00pm
Earth Sciences & Map Library in the Benson Building

This interactive workshop invites faculty, students, and anyone interested in maps to explore theÌý Map Library as a dynamic classroom resource and to learn how maps, used as primary sources and creative prompts, can anchor critical and interdisciplinary teaching across interconnected world regions.

Participants will rotate through a series of curated tables showcasing teaching projects that actively integrate maps into undergraduate and graduate curricula. Featured examples include:

  • Mapping Asia in the Classroom – Using maps as core texts for book projects and critical inquiry in ASIA 2000: Gateway to Modern Asia
  • Maps of the Middle East & Africa – Engaging regional maps to support thematic and comparative teaching in WGST 3762/GEOG 3762: Who Runs the World? Sex, Power, and Gender in Geography
  • Urban Asia, Zines, and Visual Storytelling – Student-created zines and map-based projects from ASIA 4500: Urban Asia
  • Hidden Gems of the Map Collection – A guided introduction to recent acquisitions and curated gifts from the collection that highlight especially compelling historical maps from China and Japan

Faculty hosts Lauren Collins (Center for Asian Studies), Azita Ranjbar (Women and Gender Studies), and Shae Frydenlund (Center for Asian Studies) will share concrete assignments, student work, and strategies for integrating maps into courses across disciplines. Xiang Li, Associate Professor and Chinese & Asian Studies Librarian, will share a resource guide for accessing the library’s Asia-related maps resources. Map Curator Naomi Heiser and Map Library Program Manager Ilene Raynes will introduce the Map Library collection and discuss ways the library partners with instructors on course design