School cartography in on-campus degree programs in Geography in Brazil: an analysis based on pedagogical course projects

Abstract

This article presents some of the results from a collective research project by the School Cartography Research Network. This network investigates the offering of this discipline in Geography Teaching programs in Brazil and Chile. The objective is to assess the characteristics of School Cartography on-campus Geography Teaching programs in Brazil, considering the spatial distribution of universities that offer this course, the nomenclature of the disciplines, and the academic background of the professors who teach them. A documentary analysis was conducted on the Pedagogical Curriculum Projects (PPC) of Geography Teaching programs in Brazil, as well as the course syllabi and the research area of the professors responsible for these disciplines. As a result, a significant number on-campus Geography Teaching programs across different regions of Brazil offer a School Cartography course or its equivalent. A notable finding is that a small minority of educators who teach it are also actively involved in research within this discipline or in the broader field of Geography Education. We also found a wide variety of names for School Cartography, suggesting that the course offerings are adapted to student demand and/or the availability of professors. These findings regarding the School Cartography discipline and related subjects in Geography Teaching programs in Brazil will be crucial for the discussion of this research field and its increased value within  Geography programs.