CRN: 43213 |
Course Description and Focus
Throughout human history, maps have influenced how we see the world and helped us understand human and physical phenomena. Maps are a powerful tool for people and communities to manage their resources, make decisions, plan for the future, capture local knowledge, raise awareness on environmental and/or social issues, and communicate their findings or concerns to others.
In this course we will explore field observation and mapping as a way of understanding human and cultural geography of Portland. We will examine cultural aspects of Portland through field explorations and conduct research to collect data and create maps of these phenomenon. Through a series of exercises, students will explore cultural landscapes in the Portland metropolitan region. While the emphasis is on field data collection, some assignments will include supplementary data collection from sources such as the census (on ethnicity, population density, etc.), historic maps and photographs, interviews, and published accounts about places. Course content will include interpreting cultural landscapes, research design, mapping, interviews, and (re)photography. In addition to assigned exercises, each student will define an individual topic involving research design, data collection, and field work for their final project.
Class meetings will consist primarily of field work, data collection, computer-based activities, lectures, presentations, mapping, and collaboration.
Course Materials
2| Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas by David Banis & Hunter Shobe
3| USB Flashdrive (Recommended 2GB minimum)
Mapping Software
Assignments and Grading
Participation (10%): Participation in this class is essential. Your participation grade will be based on your presence in class and contributions to class discussions.
Field Activities / Assignments (60%): There are a number of field-based / research assignments in class.
Field Research Projects (30%): Each student will conduct their own research project on a cultural geographic topic in Portland. The final project will include a Story Map of their results, as well as a written report.
Final grades will be based on the following scale: A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (below 60).
Course Outline
**Course schedule is subject to change and will be updated throughout the quarter.
TopicsSept 25 | 27. Introduction to Portland Oct 2 | 4. Portland Culture Oct 9 | 11. Interpreting Landscapes Oct 16 | 18. Downtown Portland Landscapes Oct 23 | 25. Library Research Oct 30 | Nov 1. Portland's Public Spaces Nov 6 | 8. Historic Landscapes & Landscape change Nov 13 | 15. Storytelling with Maps Nov 20. Interviews Nov 27 | 29. Final Projects Dec 4 | 6. Final Projects
Topic. Narrative & Story Maps / Final Project Presentations Dec 11 | Final Project Presentations
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AssignmentsRead. Gibson & Abbott 2002. City Profile: Portland Oregon; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, pgs 7-29 Read. Abbott, C. 1983. Portland: Politics, Planning, and Growth in a Twentieth-Century City Read. Lewis, Pierce. Axioms for Reading the Landscape: Some Guides to the American Scene; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness. pgs 30-53 Read. Hardwick, Susan and James Meacham, 2005. Heterolocalism, Networks of Ethncity, and Refugee Communities in the Pacific Northwest: The Portland Story; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, pgs. 56-77 Read. Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, pgs 78-95
Assignment 5| Research Plan Read. Nilda Cosco, Robin Moore, Mohammed Islam 2010. Behavior Mapping: A method for linking preschool physical activity & outdoor design; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, pgs 96-117 Read. Stewart, George R. US 40, Cross Section of the USA (excerpt); Vale, Thomas R & Geraldine R. Vale. US 40 Today, Thirty years of landscape change in America (excerpt); Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, 118-139 Listen: Mapping - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/110/Mapping; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, 140-159 Read. Richard Phillips & Jennifer Johns. 2012. Interviewing for Fieldwork; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, 160-181
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Class Resources
Attendance
Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism is “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work (Dictionary.com).” This is unacceptable. Cheating is also unacceptable. If you have any questions about the college’s academic policy, see pages 9-11 of the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, online at http://www.pcc/edu/about/policy/student-rights/student-rights.pdf.
Students with Disabilities
PCC is committed to supporting all students. If you plan to use academic accommodations for this course, please contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs. Accommodation are not retroactive; they begin when the instructor receives the "Approved Academic Accommodations" letter from you (submitted in person for courses on campus; via email for DL courses). To request academic accommodations for a disability, please contact a disability services counselor on any PCC campus. Office locations, phone numbers, and additional information may be found at http://www.pcc.edu/resources/disability