History Department, UTA, Southwest Studies

The Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography was created by the History Department in 1991 with the goal of promoting the scholarly study of the region. Since its founding, the Center has conducted ten conferences and has sponsored research resulting in the publication of several books and articles by the UTA faculty. The Sandra Myres Graduate Research Assistant helps the Center's faculty conduct research in UTA's Special Collections. In 1995, Dr. David Buisseret became the Center's Jenkins and Virginia Garrett Endowed Chair in Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography, and he continues to work closely with the Center's Director in developing programs and shaping the curriculum.

The Center works closely with the faculty, other UTA centers, and the UTA libraries' Special Collections in sponsoring events, such as conferences and symposia. These include the Biennial Virginia Garrett Lectures on the History of Cartography. The Center also works with the recently-created Texas Map Society, which holds two meetings annually.

Because southwestern history involves contact between peoples of the old world and the new world, the Center represents a strong component in the History Department's Transatlantic History Doctoral Program. At the undergraduate level, the Center offers a minor in Southwestern Studies and coordinates the UTA Geography minor. Several new courses have been added to the curriculum, including "Images of the Southwest" (HIST/GEOG 3371), which provides students the opportunity to study the region through its film and artistic images, tourism literature, song, and cuisine.

The Center continues to publish its award-winning newsletter, Fronteras, which highlights events and developments in Southwestern Studies at UTA. For more information about the Center, its program and curriculum, contact Richard Francaviglia, Director, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography, Box 19497, Central Library, UTA, Arlington, Texas, 76019, or phone (817) 272-3997, E-mail address: center@uta.edu.