Instructor: Nicholas Chrisman, Prof. [chrisman@u]
TAs: Fred Dent [dent@u], Steve Hyde [sjh7@u], Muthatha Ramanathan
(muthatha@u)
5 credits, Lecture: 9:30-10:20 MWF (Thomson 101). Labs
meet in Smith Hall 401
Labs: AA
MW 10:30-11:20 , AB
MW 11:30-12:20 ; AC
MW 12:30-1:20, AD
TTh 9:30-10:20, AE
TTh 10:30-11:20, AF
TTh 11:30-12:20
This course provides an introduction to the art and science of cartography. It introduces the elements of graphic design, particularly as applied to thematic mapping. The survey includes general (topographic) and thematic mapping; two and three dimensional representation; the geometric and the aspatial (attribute) information portrayed with maps. It also uses computer technology to demonstrate the topics discussed. The techniques of computer programming behind digital cartography provide a new method to handle the structure of cartographic information and are worth study on their own. Students in 360 need have no prior exposure to cartography or to other mapping sciences (surveying, photogrammetry, photo interpretation, remote sensing). The course will make substantial use of computer equipment, but there is no requirement for computer programming background.
Students finishing this course should be able to read thematic and general maps with greater understanding of their messages. They should be able to assemble geographic information and choose an effective display. They should have a grasp of design issues in thematic cartography. This course is a foundation for other courses on the analytical use of spatial information. [Official Learning Objectives] | updated Learning Objectives ]
This course has a substantial laboratory component, with seven lab assignments. Most lab exercises use a set of computer hardware and software to present an aspect of spatial information management. The teaching assistants will introduce each exercise in lab sessions and provide additional assistance in office hours. Exercises are due the week following the lab sessions. Exercises submitted in time will be returned within one week. Exercises judged insufficient will be returned with notes on what elements must be remedied. Revised submissions should be resubmitted by the week after they are returned. Late exercises reduce your ability to understand the course, since everything is cumulative.
The Fifteenth Annual Map Design Booby Prize Awards will be conducted. Students will nominate a bad cartographic presentation (printed, digital or whatever) and win prizes of no financial value. The current unpleasantness in the world offers a bumper crop of potential bad maps! The Project assignment involves making a final map, possibly for some outside purpose.
There will be one hour exam and one final exam, covering the contents of lectures, lab assignments and the readings. The final exam will be one hour long. It will concentrate (but not exclusively) on the topics not included in the hour exam. Exam questions will be of all kinds.
Grades will be assigned on the following products (on a point scale) as follows:
| Project 1: Introduction to ArcGIS |
|
| Project 2: Dot map |
|
| Classification worksheet, and other worksheets (various lectures) |
|
| Project 3: Choropleth |
|
| Project 4: Graduated/ Proportional Circles |
|
| Project 5: Line symbols/ Flow map |
|
| Project 6: Terrain representation |
|
| Map Design Booby Prize - Nomination Essay |
|
| Project 7: Final Map |
|
| Hour exam |
|
| Final Exam |
|
| Total |
|
Dent, Borden D. 1999: Cartography: Thematic Map Design, Fifth Edition, WCB McGraw-Hill.
Getting to know ArcGIS: an ESRI manual for the software
The syllabus lists suggested readings in the textbook, try
to stay up-to-date. You are responsible for the whole text, however,
even parts not explicitly referenced in a lecture.
Another (shorter) primer on map design; almost enough to serve
as text...
MacEachren, Alan 1994: Some Truth about Maps: A primer on symbolization
and design, AAG Monograph.