EVOLUTION OF CARTOGRAPHIC DISCIPLINES IN ROMANIAN GEOGRAPHICAL HIGHER EDUCATION
ISBN 978-85-88783-11-9
Authors
1Laura, C.; 2Alexandru, N.; 3Tiberiu, T.
1UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST Email: lauracomanescu@yahoo.com
2UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST Email: alexnedelea10@yahoo.com
3AGENŢIA DE CERCETARE PENTRU TEHNICĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGII MILITAR
Abstract
The aim of present paper is to emphasize the historical aspects regarding the quantitative and qualitative development of cartographic disciplines within Romanian geographical higher education, starting with founding year 1900 until present. The ascending evolution of cartographic disciplines has known three distinct stages: first one between years 1900-1946, second one between years 1946-1989 and the third one after year 1989. • Stage one, between years 1900-1946 pioneered these sciences in Romania. In year 1900 it was created the first geography department within University of Bucharest. In year 1904 it was opened a free class of geography within University of Iasi and in year 1919 a similar one within University of Cluj Napoca. Until the WWII these universities were the only higher education institutions covering geography and cartography as part of geography. In this period of time we have the first doctoral thesis in cartography (1899 in Leipzig) of Simion Mehedinți, named “Uber die Kartographische Induction”, thesis that treats map as geographical analysis mean. In this period cartographic disciplines are taught only as part of disciplines connected to Physical Geography (University of Bucharest, University of Cluj Napoca) or to Mathematical Geography (University of Iasi). • Stage two, between years 1946-1989, corresponding to communist regime, marked the appearing and the development of geography in smaller universities like ones in Timișoara, Oradea, Bacău, Constanța, Suceava, Craiova, following the curriculum of big ones. Also, in this period new independent discipline, like Cartography, Topography, Physical – Geographical Mapping, Economical – Geographical Mapping, Remote Sensing, Geographical Photogrammetric Interpretation, appeared in the curriculum of Geographical Faculties. In this stage we have the first printed manuals, grace to some enthusiastic proffesors like: Bonea I, Săndulache A, Costăchel A, Dragu Gh, Năstase A, Giurescu M, Sficlea V, Cernea D, Peștișanu C, Rădulescu N, Rusu A, Buz V, Velcea V. This period, regardless of political constrains, permitted the assertion of geography as science and the development within of cartographic disciplines. • Stage three, after year 1989 can be considered the stage of modernizing, connecting to new, diversification of study programs and disciplines. After year 2000, classic cartography is losing terrain toward Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Computerized Cartography. The curriculum contains over 90% disciplines that derived from GIS and Remote for both Bachelor Studies and Master Studies, and modernized classes. Within Faculties of Geography new specializations appeared, like Cartography and Cadastre for Bachelor Studies and Geomorphology and Cartography with Cadastre Elements, GIS and Geomatics for Master Studies.
Keywords
curriculum; cartographic disciplines; higher education