Curriculum subjects: Geography / Art and design
Responsibility of all: Literacy
Curriculum level: Fourth level
In creating the landform Scot Loch, Charles Jencks used the idea of mappa mundi as a source of inspiration. Mappa mundi is the term used to describe medieval European maps of the world. The name comes from the Latin: mappa (cloth or chart) and mundi (of the world). These early maps were not ‘accurate’ in the same way as modern geographical maps but they do tell us a lot about the society and culture of the time.
This design challenge is constructed to enable pupils to apply their knowledge and understanding of maps, in particular that they can be biased, to a new context. They will be able to identify an issue that is important to their own lives before expressing their ideas, thoughts and feelings through a modern mappa mundi.
The design brief
Create a modern mappa mundi on one of the following themes:
- Scotland today
- My world
- Our ideal world
The First Minister of Scotland has commissioned your design team to create a mappa mundi to which he can refer when he discusses the views of the young people of Scotland. The map will be useful when he is talking to other senior politicians from other countries.
Download the complete design challenge
The Design challenge document contains the design brief for pupils and further support material for teachers with suggested activities and links to experiences and outcomes.
PDF file: Design challenge: Mappa mundi (147 KB)Word file: Design challenge - Mappa mundi (241 KB)
Learners may also find it useful to use the 'Design process template' to help them develop their ideas.
Resources
- Mappa mundi
Wikipedia article about mappa mundi.
- Mapping our world
Document with curriculum links that supports the Oxfam resource 'Mapping our world' for 8-14-year-olds. It explores the relationship between maps and globes, how different projections influence our perception of the world and challenges the idea that there is one 'correct' version of the world map.
- Anglo-saxon Mappa Mundi
Anglo-saxon Mappa Mundi from circa 1025 - 1050 in the British Library Online Gallery.
- Pierre Desceliers' planisphere
Image of Pierre Desceliers' planisphere from 1550 in the British Library Online Gallery.
- Map Of The World
Map Of The World in 'The Map Psalter' book from circa 1262 in the British Library Online Gallery. It's a miniature related to the famous medieval map of the world at Hereford Cathedral.
Related experiences and outcomes
Expressive arts > Art and design > EXA 3-06a
While working through a design process in response to a design brief, I can develop and communicate imaginative design solutions.
Expressive arts > Art and design > EXA 3-07a
I can respond to the work of artists and designers by discussing my thoughts and feelings. I can give and accept constructive comment on my own and others' work.
Expressive arts > Art and design > EXA 4-05a
Having chosen personal themes and developed my own ideas from a range of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through 2D and 3D work.
Languages > Literacy and English > Writing > Creating texts > LIT 3-28a
I can convey information, describe events, explain processes or concepts, and combine ideas in different ways.
Social studies > People, place and environment > SOC 3-14a
I can use a range of maps and geographical information systems to gather, interpret and present conclusions and can locate a range of features within Scotland, UK, Europe and the wider world.
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