Geography 298. An Exploration of Design in Modern Cartography
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CRN: 48287 |
Course Description and Focus
This course will focus on exploring modern principles and applications of cartography in GIS, maps - static & interactive, infographics, and other forms of information graphics and communication. Students will create a series of visual representations that apply cartographic principles discovered through research. As part of the cartographic process, students will critique maps and have their own maps critiqued. Designing maps is an iterative process and students will experience that full process.
Students will meet with the instructor on a (bi)weekly basis to discuss progress on research, lab/assignments, and to thoroughly critique one or two maps using the cartographic principles. After some initial research has been conducted, the student will begin their own design & exploration of Cartography by identifying a series of maps to create, and applying their knowledge and skills in cartography to that map series.
Course Materials
2| Cartographer's Toolkit: Colors, Typography, Patterns, Gretchen Peterson
3| Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users, Cynthia Brewer (reference)
4| USB Flashdrive (Recommended 2GB minimum)
GIS & Mapping Software
It is also possible (and encouraged) to use Adobe Illustrator and / or QGIS to learn a wider variety of tools available to Cartographers.
Assignments and Grading
Labs/Exercises | 35% | a series of lab activities that focus on various topics in the course
Map Projects | 35% | a series of mapmaking projects
Map Portfolio | 15% | a final presentation of maps
Research Paper | 15% |a paper on summarizes modern cartographic principles
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.
TopicsWeek 1 | Sept 26 - Oct 2 Week 2 | Oct 3 - 9 Week 3 | Oct 10 - 16 Week 4 | Oct 17 - 23 Week 5 | Oct 24 - 30 Week 6 | Oct 31 - Nov 6 Week 7 | Nov 7 - 13 Week 8 | Nov 14 - 20 Week 9 | Nov 21 - 27 Week 10 | Nov 28 - Dec 4 Week 11 | Dec 5 - 11
Topic. Final projects Finals Week | Dec 12 - 18
Final Project Presentations |
AssignmentsRead. Make maps people want to look at, by Aileen Buckley @ ESRI Read.
- Cartographer's Toolkit: Composition Patterns, Pgs 109 - 167 - Layout design samples Map project 1. Map of Choice Read. Read. Read. Read. Read. Robinson, Arthur 1954. The Cartographic Technique, chapter 2 in the Look of Maps Read. Read.
Final Project - Web Map & Written Report
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'How To' Submit an Assignment
2|Submit a single document in .pdf format
3|The subject line of your email should reflect the assignment name. For example: Lab 1
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