CRN: 43213
Fall 2018                                                                        
PCC - Sylvania, SS 110
T/TH 10:00 - 12:50 pm
Office Hours: Tu/W 1:00 - 3:00 pm or by appt.
Office: SS 201                                                   
971-722-4072
[email protected]

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

1| Rite-in-the-rain notebook
2| Portlandness: A Cultural Atlas by David Banis & Hunter Shobe
3| USB Flashdrive (Recommended 2GB minimum)

Mapping Software

This course will use software from Google, ESRI, and possibly other programs.  The ESRI software is available in the class lab, as well as the library at Sylvania, and the CRC's at Rock Creek and Cascade campuses.  

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. 

Topics

Sept 25 | 27. Introduction to Portland

Introduction to Course
Topic. Mental Maps & Portland Geography

Oct 2 | 4.  Portland Culture

​
Topic. Portland as a Livable City

Oct 9 | 11.​ Interpreting Landscapes

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​​Topic. Geographic Perspective & Cultural Landscapes

Oct 16 | 18.  Downtown Portland Landscapes

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NO CLASS MEETINGS

Oct 23 | 25.  Library Research
​​​​
Topic. Research Project Guidelines
Library.  Background Research / Research Plan ​

Oct 30 | Nov 1. Portland's Public Spaces 

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Topic. ​Behavioral mapping & public places
​Topic. Converting field data to a digital map
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Nov 6 | 8. Historic Landscapes & Landscape change

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Topic. Photography & Rephotography

Nov 13 | 15. Storytelling with Maps

Topic. ArcGIS Online & Story Maps
​

Nov 20. Interviews

​Topic. ​Interviews & Interview Question Design
​NO CLASS 11/22 (THANKSGIVING)

Nov 27 | 29. Final Projects

​Topic. Narrative & Story Maps / Final Project Presentations

Dec 4 | 6. Final Projects

​Topic. Narrative & Story Maps / Final Project Presentations
Dec 11  | Final Project Presentations 

Assignments

Read. Gibson & Abbott 2002. City Profile: Portland Oregon; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, pgs 7-29

Assignment 1| Cultural Mapping

Read. ​Abbott, C. 1983. Portland: Politics, Planning, and Growth in a Twentieth-Century City
​Watch. Priced Out

Assignment 2| Old v. New Portland

Read. Lewis, Pierce. Axioms for Reading the Landscape: Some Guides to the American Scene; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness. pgs 30-53
​
​Assignment 3| ​ PCC Campus Landscapes ​
​Sylvania Campus Map

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

​Assignment 4| Portland Urban Landscapes

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
​
Assignment 6| Behavior maps
Downtown parks base map

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
​
Assignment 7| Rephotography

Listen: Mapping - http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/110/Mapping; Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, 140-159
​
​Assignment 8| Storytelling with Maps

Read. Richard Phillips & Jennifer Johns.  2012. Interviewing for Fieldwork;  Banis & Shobe, 2015. Portlandness, 160-181
​
​​Assignment 9| Interviews






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Class Resources

Citations - Easybib.com

Attendance

Although attendance is not officially a part of your grade, it will be difficult to keep up if you are not regularly in class.  If you need to miss class or leave class early, talk to me beforehand to make arrangements.  If you have a personal problem that is inhibiting your performance in this class, please come talk to me as soon as possible so that we can discuss options to make your efforts in this class successful.  

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 

Non-Discrimination Statement 

Portland Community College is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment based on open communication and mutual respect. If you believe you have encountered sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at (971) 722-5840 or [email protected].

PCC Grading Guidelines

To learn more about PCC's grading guidelines: ​http://www.pcc.edu/resources/student-records/grading/

Course Drop/Withdraw deadlines

If you need to drop or withdraw from this course, please make sure that you come and talk to the instructor.  To find out the process of dropping or withdrawing from a class:  ​http://www.pcc.edu/enroll/registration/dropping.html