CRN: 13771
Winter 2018
​PCC, Sylvania Campus SS110
T/Th, 10:00 - 12:50 p.m.
Office: SS 201
Office Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 1-3pm   
971-722-4072
[email protected]

Course Description and Focus

This course will introduce you to cartographic principles and design techniques for map display and production using ArcGIS software.  Topics covered in this course include layout, visual hierarchy, fonts, labeling, colors, symbols, generalization, and mapping quantitative & raster data. The course will also develop your ability to critically evaluate maps for effective design.

This course is taught in a computer lab and is largely lecture, lab, project, and critique-based.  The lectures introduce or review cartographic concepts.  The labs and projects are designed to assist in learning techniques for creating effective maps.  There are a series of map critiques to assist in the revision of maps and continual improvement of maps. 

The class is structured to be interactive and collaborative.  All students are expected to come to class prepared to think, observe, and participate in discussions, critiques, and labs.  Active participation enhances the learning process for all group members. 

Course Materials

1| Cartographer's Toolkit: Colors, Typography, Patterns, Gretchen Peterson
2| Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users, Cynthia Brewer (reference)
3| USB Flashdrive (Recommended 2GB minimum)

Assignments and Grading

Labs | 40% | a series of lab activities that focus on various topics in the course 
Map Projects | 40% | a series of mapmaking projects
PCC District Map Challenge |5%| Final draft of PCC District Zone map
Participation | 15% | active participation in map critiques, map showcase, and classroom discussions/activities
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.**.

D2L Brighspace will be used with this course - mostly for in-class activities and sharing maps and work with classmates. If you are looking for couse materials that are not on the course website - please check D2L.

Topics

January 9 / 11

​Topic. Introduction to course
Topic. Making Maps & Creative Inspiration
Discussion. Map Critiques

January 16 / 18

Topic. Layout & Map Element Design 
​

January  23 / 25

Map Critique 1. Map with a Purpose (critique sheet) 
​Topic. Font & Type Basics

January 30 / February 1

Topic. Label Placement
Maplex Engine Basics
​

February 6 / 8 

Topic. Color
 
​​

February 13 / 15

Map Critique 2.
​Topic. Map Design & Color Blindness 

February 20 / 22

SNOW DAYS. NO CLASS MEETINGS


February 27 / March 1
​
​​Topic. Map Symbols
Topic. Information Graphics

​

March 6 / 8
Map Critique 3. Infographics
​Guest Speaker. Matthew Hampton, Metro

March 13 / 15
Topic. Map Generalizations
Topic. Converting to Illustrator

March 20
District Map Challenge

Assignments

Read. Make Maps People Want to Look At, by Aileen Buckley, & A #NoDAPL Map by Carl Sack​

​Lab 1. Map Design & Layout
Lab 1. Data 
​​Map Showcase sign-up

 Read. Design & Layout

Map Project 1. Map with a Purpose 
DUE. Lab 1

Read. Words on Maps

Lab 2. Labels & Placement 
Lab 2. Data 

Read. Words on Maps

​Map Project 2. Words on a Map
MP2. Data
DUE: Map Project 1 (1/30)

Read. Color

Lab 3. Color
Lab 3. Data, DEM
DUE. Lab 2 (2/6)

Read. Along Straight Lines, Schematic Railway Maps in Advertising, by Arjan den Boer, 2017.

DUE. Lab 3 (2/15)

Read. Map Symbols

Lab 4. Techniques 
Lab 4. Data
DUE. Map Project 2 (2/25)

Read. Information Graphics
A Common Misconception about Designing with Data, by Tiffany Farrant-Gonzalez
​
​Map Project 3. Infographics 
 DUE. Lab 4 (3/1)





​
DUE. Map Project 3 (3/18)

'How To' Submit an Assignment

1| Your last name and first initial should be the first part of the file name, followed by the lab number or assignment name.  e.g.  SkywalkerL_Lab1, MandelaN_FinalProjectProposal.
2| Do not include any of the lab instructions in your document.  Include only the question numbers and text, your answers, and any exported maps.
3| Submit a single document in PDF format.  (If creating your document in MS Word, save as a PDF file.)
4| Submit to appropriate Assignment in D2L.

Backing Up Your Work

Please note that there is no place on the lab computers, or the PCC network, to save your work for longer than the end of lab.  All of the lab computer hard drives get wiped clean every single night!  Bring a flash drive to class and use it to back up all of your data and files for all labs, exams, and project at the end of every class.  

GIS Software

This course uses ESRI's ArcGIS software program.  The software is available in the class lab, as well as the Student Computer Centers (SCC) at Sylvania, Rock Creek, and Cascade campuses.  Additionally, an educational license of the software will be given to all students enrolled in the course for use outside of class on your personal computers.   

Additional Resources

ArcGIS Desktop Tips & Shortcuts

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