Les géographes du Québec et la question professionnelle : essai d'interprétation sociohistorique, 1945–2000

Abstract

The study of the contemporary history of geography through the prism of the sociology of professions makes it possible to explore geographers' professional paths as objects of sociohistorical enquiry. Through the analysis of archival documents, three periods have been delineated, thus showing the contextual nature of the debates surrounding the presence of geographers in the workplace. From 1945 to 1962, we observe the gradual division of geography into three categories of distinct social realms: schools, university, and the professional environment. From 1963 to 1978, we witness the rise and fall of a controversial collective project, namely the foundation of a provincial accreditation board for Quebec's geographers. From 1979 to the end of the 20^th century, we can notice the evolution of the “Association des géographes du Québec”, which became the “Association professionnelle des géographes du Québec” in 1985. Despite the failure of the accreditation body project, the association reveals itself as a place of democratic representation and defence of applied geography and geographer's expertise.