Faulty Maps, Distorted Worldviews: Challenging Perceptions of Asia in the World
In a now-famous episode of the TV series The West Wing, fictional White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg meets with an organization called the Cartographers for Social Equality. The cartographers ask that the president replace all maps shown in U.S. public schools. Quite understandably Cregg becomes confused, asking them, “Why are we changing maps?” The cartographers reveal to her a shocking truth: the maps that have formed our views on the world around us are erroneous.
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Meet the Student: Connor Patrick
Connor Patrick is a senior from just outside of Albany, New York majoring in History. He is also pursuing Notre Dame’s new Globally Engaged Citizens Certificate through the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures. After completing a research project in Singapore with the generous support of the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, Connor was inspired to become more involved with the institute’s events and course offerings. And as a History major, Connor felt that Dr. J’s “Approaching Asia” course through the Liu Institute was the perfect opportunity for him. Connor chose to write his final paper about the perception of maps and of Asia itself, aiming to challenge misconceptions of Asia and the wider world overall.