Course Syllabus Digital Cartographic Design - Department of ...

GEOG 462: DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHY:
MAP DESIGN, AND SYMBOLIZATION IN GIS AND COMPUTER CARTOGRAPHY
Dr. Gregory Elmes Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 1:00 – 2:00 pm and by
appointment.
349 Brooks Hall Tel: (304) 293-4685
CRN: 17982 http://www.geo.wvu.edu/~elmes
Tuesday / Thursday 11:30 – 12:45
420 Brooks Hall
COURSE OVERVIEW
mailto: Greg Elmes
greg dot elmes at mail dot wvu dot edu
To understand the various purposes, roles and representations of cartography
To gain and practice the use of cartographic language in the creative design process
To gain and practice skills in cartographic design, representation and production in a GIS
environment
To gain an understanding of cartographic software and its uses
COURSE OBJECTIVES.
On completing Geography 462, Students will:
have gained understanding of the purposes of cartography, recognize the elements of
cartographic representation, and how maps work
have gained understanding of the theory and principles of cartography and their relationship to
practice
be able to create digital maps in formats reflecting the purpose, content and function of input
data
be able to use GIS software to produce accurate, appropriate, convincing and creative maps and
graphics
be able to use digital cartographic methods for exploring, critiquing, confirming and presenting
geographical relationships
have increased their proficiency in graphical and spatial literacy
have increased their proficiency in visual and oral presentation
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Cartography is the knowledge associated with the art, science, and technology of maps. Maps represent
and communicate about our worlds: real, perceived and imagined; global and local; earthbound or of
other worlds and spaces. Maps portray spatial relationships among selected phenomena of interest and
increasingly are used for analysis and synthesis. Using digital cartography software, however, it is
possible for almost anyone to produce a bad map in minutes. Although cartography has undergone a
radical transformation through the introduction of digital technology, fundamental principles remain.
Doing computer cartography well requires a broad understanding of graphicacy as a language, as well as
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numeracy and literacy. This course provides an introduction to the principles, concepts, software and
hardware necessary to produce good maps, especially in the context (and limitations) of geographic
information systems (GIS).
The lectures emphasize basic concepts for understanding the process of geographic information
representation and use. All concepts and techniques learned in this course are applicable to GIS. As far
as is possible labs are integrated with the lecture materials. Practical work emphasizes hands-on
experience with the retrieval, manipulation, and presentation of geographic data.
Students will compile a portfolio of their practical work. Five lab projects are assigned for this course.
The final project will be students' choice and will be identified through discussion with Dr. Elmes.
Students will use mapping software and hardware in the Department's computer labs in White Hall.
Although no computer programming is required for this course, previous computer experience with
ArcGIS is helpful. Students will complete an on-line tutorial on ArcGIS Cartography at ESRI's Virtual
Campus.
BRIEF OUTLINE
Introduction to digital cartography
How is digital (computer) cartography different from manual cartography?
Principles and practice of cartography
The roles and purposes of maps and graphics
Cartography as language and communication
Map content, design and implementation
Graphic representation
Abstraction
Visualization
o of entities and attributes
o of quantities
o of quality
o of uncertainty
Composing maps and graphics
Presentation and display
Representing non-geographic data through cartographic methods
GRADING (TOTAL 500 POINTS)
Five (5) Cartographic projects. (250 points)
1 ERSI Virtual Campus Certificate (50 points)
Midterm Exam - (100 points)
Final Exam - (100 points)
A = 90% 450 - 500 points
B = 80% 400 - 449 points
C = 70% 350 - 399 points
D = 60% 300 - 349 points
F = fewer than 300 points.
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GRADING POLICY
All late assignments will be graded zero. Exam grading appeals in writing are accepted on the day the
exam is returned.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to attend every lecture and lab. It is essential to keep up with the course
materials. In the past, students who have fallen behind through nonattendance have failed. Consistent
with WVU guidelines, students absent from regularly scheduled examinations because of authorized
University activities will have the opportunity to take them at an alternate time. Make-up exams for
absences due to any other reason will be at the discretion of the instructor. You are expected to attend
all classroom and lab sessions.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Slocum, Terry A., Robert McMaster, Fritz Kessler and Hugh Howard, 2009, Thematic Cartography and
Geographic Visualization, 3rd Edition, Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle Creek, NJ.
http://www.prenhall.com/slocum
MacEachren, Alan M. 1994. Some Truth with Maps: A Primer on Symbolization and Design, Assoc. Am
Geog. Resource Publications in Geography: Washington, DC (Out of print - Pdfs available at eCampus)
Recommended Readings:
Cynthia A. Brewer, 2005 Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users, Redlands: ESRI Press.
Cynthia A. Brewer, 2008 Designed Maps: A Sourcebook for GIS Users, Redlands: ESRI Press.
John Krygier and Denis Wood, 2010, Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS. 2 nd edition NY
NY: The Guilford Press
SUGGESTED READINGS IN WISE LIBRARY.
Dent, Borden D., 1999, Cartography: Thematic Map Design, 5th edition, Boston: WCB/McGraw-Hill.
Monmonier, Mark, 1996, How to Lie With Maps, 2nd.Edition, Chicago: University of Chicago Press
Monmonier, Mark, 1997, Cartographies of Danger, Mapping Hazards in America, Chicago: University of
Chicago Press.
MacEachren, Alan, M., 1995, How Maps Work, Representation, Visualization and Design, Guilford Press
Robinson, Arthur H., Morrison, Joel L., Muehrcke, Phillip C. and Stephen C. Guptill, 1995, Elements of
Cartography, 6th edition, NY: John Wiley & Sons
ESRI, Serving Maps on the Internet, Redlands CA: ESRI Press
The Dent and Robinson texts are particularly recommended.
SOCIAL JUSTICE STATEMENT
"West Virginia University is committed to social justice." I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a
positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and nondiscrimination. Our
University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual
orientation, color or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in
this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in
this class. Please advise me and make appropriate arrangement with WVU Disability Services (304-293-6700).
Dr. Gregory Elmes Last Updated: January 8th 2012
Dr. Gregory Elmes 3 Fall 2010