GUS 0821
Digital Mapping
Fall 2009
Lecture Meeting Time and Location
Gladfelter Hall, Lecture Room 107
Monday: 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Lab Meeting Times and Locations
Section 001
Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Anderson Hall 22
Section 002
Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Weiss Hall 640
Section 003
Friday, 10:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Weiss Hall 640
Section 004
Monday, 12:00 PM - 1:50 PM
Anderson Hall 19
Instructor
Michele Masucci, Associate Professor - Geography and Urban Studies
Office: 111 University Services Building
Phone: 215-204-1429
Email: masucci@temple.edu
Office Hours: Monday 12:00 - 1:00 PM, or by appointment
Graduate Teaching Assistants
David Emery, Geography and Urban Studies
Office: 330 Gladfelter Hall
Email: david.emery@temple.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 12:15 - 2:15 PM or by appointment
Alan Wiig, Geography and Urban Studies
Office: 330 Gladfelter Hall
Email: alanwiig@temple.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:15 - 2:15 PM or by appointment
Undergraduate Bulletin Course Description
"From web-based applications like Google Maps, to automobile navigation systems, to satellite pictures of hurricanes, digital maps are widely used to display information about the Earth. This course unmasks the underlying technologies used for computer-based mapping, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite remote sensing, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We will investigate how computers store and analyze digital maps, and see how mapping technologies can be used to address a variety of societal problems, such as analyzing the environmental impacts of urban growth, tracking the spread of a deadly disease, and planning for earthquakes and other natural disasters."
General Education
This course fulfills General Education Quantitative Literacy requirement or core QA or QB requirement.
Prerequisites: Mathematics placement, a grade of C- or higher in Math 0701 (0045), or transfer credit for Math 0701 (0045).
Course Goals and Learning Outcomes
The purpose of this course is to teach the general principles of quantitative reasoning and spatial literacy through digital mapping.
Students will learn how to: interpret maps, examine the relationship between data and map visualizations, and differentiate between different types of maps. Students will gain an understanding of the digital technologies drawn upon to make maps. Students will be introduced to the field of cartography, as well as to gain an understanding of the basic principals of map design and communication.
Students will gain hands on experiences in making maps using web map applications. These experiences aim to introduce basic knowledge of how to represent and interpret quantitative information in map form.
Attendance
Lecture and Lab attendance will be recorded via seating chart sign in. FINAL GRADES will be lowered due to excessive absences (see grading scale below). Students are responsible for all material covered in lecture and labs. There will be no make up exams offered unless an approved university excuse authorized by the Dean of your college is provided.
Students will learn how to: interpret maps, examine the relationship between data and map visualizations, and differentiate between different types of maps. Students will gain an understanding of the digital technologies drawn upon to make maps. Students will be introduced to the field of cartography, as well as to gain an understanding of the basic principals of map design and communication.
Students will gain hands on experiences in making maps using web map applications. These experiences aim to introduce basic knowledge of how to represent and interpret quantitative information in map form.
Attendance
Lecture and Lab attendance will be recorded via seating chart sign in. FINAL GRADES will be lowered due to excessive absences (see grading scale below). Students are responsible for all material covered in lecture and labs. There will be no make up exams offered unless an approved university excuse authorized by the Dean of your college is provided.
Cell Phone Use
The use of cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic devises is prohibited during lectures, exams, and lab sessions.
Text
There is no textbook for the course. Readings will be available via accessing the course blog.
Electronic Communication and Course Blog Access
Course Blog
All readings and course information will be found on the course blog. It will be updated throughout the semester. Students can access the blog from computers found on campus or from off campus locations.
Course Blog URL: http://digitalmappingblog.blogspot.com
Email Use
Student email communications with instructors related to the course need to be signed by the student and include the course title in the subject heading. Please be advised that messages sent to TA or faculty may be shared by the course instructional team.
Internet Access
If you do not have adequate access to the Internet at home to support the heavy use of the Internet required in this course, please arrange your schedule to use university facilities such as the Tech Center. In addition to the Tech Center, there are a number of high-speed accessible labs located on campus. Please consult the Computer Services website for more information:
http://www.temple.edu/cs/students/index.htm
Grading
Final Grades will be determined based on the following:
Lab Assignments - 50% of Final Grade.
There will be an lab assignment to complete each week during the Lab time. Lab assignments will be due at the end of the lab session except as otherwise noted. The average of all lab assignment grades will be worth half of your final grade. The lowest grade will be dropped from the average. Lab assignments can be made up but the maximum grade that can be earned for a late lab assignment is a C.
Exams - 50% of Final Grade.
There will be a mid term and final exam in this course. Exams will cover content introduced in lectures and lab exercises and readings found online via the course blog. The exams cover the topics for each half of the course. Make-up exams are NOT permitted except with a Dean's Office approved excuse. Failure to take the mid-term or final exam will result in an F for the semester.
The use of cell phones, PDAs, and other electronic devises is prohibited during lectures, exams, and lab sessions.
Text
There is no textbook for the course. Readings will be available via accessing the course blog.
Electronic Communication and Course Blog Access
Course Blog
All readings and course information will be found on the course blog. It will be updated throughout the semester. Students can access the blog from computers found on campus or from off campus locations.
Course Blog URL: http://digitalmappingblog.blogspot.com
Email Use
Student email communications with instructors related to the course need to be signed by the student and include the course title in the subject heading. Please be advised that messages sent to TA or faculty may be shared by the course instructional team.
Internet Access
If you do not have adequate access to the Internet at home to support the heavy use of the Internet required in this course, please arrange your schedule to use university facilities such as the Tech Center. In addition to the Tech Center, there are a number of high-speed accessible labs located on campus. Please consult the Computer Services website for more information:
http://www.temple.edu/cs/students/index.htm
Grading
Final Grades will be determined based on the following:
Lab Assignments - 50% of Final Grade.
There will be an lab assignment to complete each week during the Lab time. Lab assignments will be due at the end of the lab session except as otherwise noted. The average of all lab assignment grades will be worth half of your final grade. The lowest grade will be dropped from the average. Lab assignments can be made up but the maximum grade that can be earned for a late lab assignment is a C.
Exams - 50% of Final Grade.
There will be a mid term and final exam in this course. Exams will cover content introduced in lectures and lab exercises and readings found online via the course blog. The exams cover the topics for each half of the course. Make-up exams are NOT permitted except with a Dean's Office approved excuse. Failure to take the mid-term or final exam will result in an F for the semester.
Grading Scale:
Final grading scale:
3.7 - 4.0 = A
3.5 - 3.69 = A-
3.4 - 3.49 = B+
2.7 - 3.39 = B
2.5 - 2.69 = B-
2.4 - 2.49 = C+
1.7 - 2.39 = C
1.5 - 1.69 = C-
.7 - 1.49 = D
.69 or less = F
Note the following:
3rd absence = 1/2 letter grade drop (B lowered to B-)
4rth absence = 1 letter grade drop (B lowered to C)
5th absence = 2 letter grade drop (B lowered to D)
6th absence = F in course
Missed Mid term or Final exam = F in course
Late lab assignments: Maximum grade of C
The lowest lab assignment grade can be dropped
Mid Term Exam Date: Monday, 10-26-09
Final Exam Date: Friday, 12-18-09, 8-10 AM, GH 107
Disabilities
This course is open to all students who met the academic requirements for participation. Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible. Contact Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating on tests, copying another student's assignments, plagiarism, etc.) will not be tolerated. Please refer to this statement for more information on Temple University's Academic Honesty policy:
http://www.temple.edu/pharmacy_qara/plagiarism.htm.
Statement on Academic Freedom
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The University has adopted a policy on Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy # 03.70.02) which can be accessed through the following link: http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02 . (Please use this text without modification.)
Classroom Environment
All persons participating in the course should be respectful of other students and the instructor in order to facilitate a civil learning environment. All persons participating in the course have a right to expect respectful treatment in the classroom.
Structure of the Course
Lecture
The class will meet as a whole once a week for a lecture session. The lecture will be divided into three parts: examination and discussion of maps of the week, introduction of key terms and concepts, and application of concepts for lab exercises. There will be time for questions and answers each week at the end of the class.
Students are encouraged to take careful notes based on lectures. These should include noting maps referenced in class, information about data related to maps discussed in class, key concepts and definitions introduced during lectures, and core concepts related to maps, map making, geography, data, map interpretation, and map making technologies.
Lab
Students are enrolled in labs as part of this course. The lab exercises and assessments are aimed at reinforcing core concepts, themes, and skills introduced through the lectures and readings. Students will engage in hands on experiences that involve analysis of web-maps, use of web-tools to learn concepts related to digital mapping, and tools for organizing and visualizing spatial information. Students will also complete computer based assessments, lab reports, and web maps during their lab sections. Labs will be implemented by the graduate research assistants involved in the instruction of this course.
Each lab will begin with a brief explanation of the lab assignment by the TA, including an overview of the learning objectives, materials, and expected deliverables. The remaining portion of the lab will devoted to completing the lab assignment. The TA will rotate around the classroom helping those students who require assistance. Some labs will require students to work outside of lab period to complete the assignment.
Schedule of Course Topics and Exercises
Part 1 - Interpreting Maps
8-31-09
Course Introduction and Overview
What is a map? How do we communicate, visualize and interpret information using maps?
Lab: Baseline assessment of map skills
Exercise 1: Mapping Daily Rounds
9-7-09 - Labor Day Holiday
(No class; students can attend labs on Wednesday and Friday for assistance with take home exercise due the following week).
9-14-09
Overview of types of Maps and Map systems
Lab: Survey of types of maps
9-21-09
Maps and Visualization - Symbolizing places and spaces on maps
Lab: What's in a symbol?
9-28-09
Map reference and coordinate systems
Lab: Where is it?
10-05-09
All about Thematic Maps
Lab: Creating a thematic map
10-12-09
All about Topographic Maps
Lab: Interpreting topography
10-19-09
Review of Part 1
Lab: Optional - Discussion related to online readings to prepare for Exam
10-26-09 - Exam 1
Part 2 - Making Maps
11-2-09
Mapping hierarchical data sets
Lab: Working with data Part 1: Dot density maps
11-9-09
Mapping classified data sets
Lab: Working with data Part 2: Choropleth maps
11-16-09
Mapping temporal data sets
Lab: Working with data Part 3: Isoline maps
11-23-09
Map design considerations
No lab this week (Thanksgiving Recess)
11-30-09
Map making techniques and technologies
Lab: Map design considerations
12-7-09
Review of Part 2
No Lab this week (Classes end on Wednesday, December 9)
12-18-09: FINAL EXAM
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