Course Syllabus

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SYLLABUS -  COURSE DETAILS

ABOUT THIS COURSE:

    The purpose of this course is to introduce students to computerized cartography and graphic design techniques & skills.  Maps are powerful communication tools for describing geographic distributions and geographic relationships and this class will cover various cartographic methods, as well as some of the limitations of graphic communication, for illustrating reports, papers, and theses. Topics covered include symbology, text (map annotation), layout and the use of color for cartography. 

    This will be primarily a lab-style class; class time will include lectures and demos, but the majority of the time will be spent creating and critiquing maps. Lectures will introduce the topics and the specific skills & techniques to be learned. Over 50% of class sessions will be dedicated to working on the introduced skills and lab exercises. This class assumes knowledge of a number of cartographic concepts such as map scale, map projection, and map abstraction, which are covered in ENVS-220 (Map Reading and Analysis, which is recommended but not required) and/or ENVS-320 (Introduction to GIS). The primary software used for creating maps will be ESRI's ArcGIS. As such, ENVS-320 (or a similar introduction) is required (prior to not concurrent). The Cartography course is not, however, a GIS course per se. The majority of the GIS components of the course (obtaining, processing and editing of data, creation of the basic map project files, etc.) will be largely provided, leaving the focus on the cartographic aspects. Being a computer based course, familiarity with the basics of the Windows operating system (data management, etc.) is essential. Students new to computers are encouraged to take an introductory computer class prior to this class. In addition, the Student Tech Center (Haggard Hall 121, 650-4300) is available for assistance with general computer questions.

    Cartography is a discipline where art and science come together. This merger doesn’t just happen, however; high-quality cartography requires considerable practice. Current software enables the creation of a map with little more than the push of a few buttons. The use of such 'default' cartography, while convenient and potentially adequate, rarely leads to the most aesthetically pleasing product, nor the clearest in terms of communication. While the differences between a basic GIS-produced map and a crafted work of cartography may appear subtle, the effort required to go from one to the other is usually substantial. Cartography and graphics design are extremely time consuming endeavors. Most students will need to dedicate considerable out-of-class time for working on lab projects. Previous sections of this course have recommended the dedication of 5-10 hours per week, outside of scheduled class time, at a minimum.

 

CLASS  FORMAT:

    Lectures, announcements and/or lab updates and notes will be at the beginning of class. As such, punctual attendance to class each day is expected. Given that there will be minimal lecture time in this course, every word is precious - so show up and be on time. Following the day's lecture/announcements students are free to work on their maps, thus, most of the scheduled class time will be for working on assignments. Students do not need to remain in class for the entire lab period, however, using the scheduled class time to work on the labs provides the benefit of help from the instructors as well collaboration with and help from fellow students. 

    AH-16 (The Spatial Analysis Lab or "SAL") is open 24 hours a day, but students in classes have priority during scheduled class times. The outside door of AH is locked at night and on some weekends, call the SAL (650-7986, to see if someone is working who can let you in) or the University Police (and identify yourself as a ENVS-321 student) if you need to get in after hours.

 

TEXTS  &  MATERIALS

    There is NOT a required textbook for this course.  There are assigned readings. COURSE READINGS will be from on-line materials, including the ESRI Virtual Campus (see below) and Making Maps (Krygier & Wood). As an alternative to the ESRI Virtual Campus, students can use Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users(Brewer) which is a text version of the on-line Virtual Campus course. Reference books are also available for checkout from Stefan (AH-201).

 

ESRI’s Virtual Campus (ESRI Virtual Campus)

    Cartographic Design Using ArcGIS 9 - This on-line course from the ESRI Virtual Campus (registration for the Virtual Campus is free to WWU students) will be made available to all students as a resource for the class (seenotes on using the Virtual Campus). Readings from this Virtual Campus course will be required (in lieu of a primary textbook). Exercises and quizzes from the Virtual Campus are optional (recommended). Note that while the Virtual Campus course was written for ArcGIS version 9.x we are currently using ArcGIS version 10.2. For the most part the changes in the software are minimal enough that they do not effect the concepts and training of the course (which is probably why ESRI hasn't bothered to update the online course yet)... At the same time, keep in mind that there are differences that you will have to adapt to the current software. Data forCartographic Design Using ArcGIS 9 is available from ESRI or from the SAL server:J:\GEO\GEO_data\ESRI_data\Virtual_Campus\Carto9.

    Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users (Brewer) is a (very slightly expanded) text version of the on-line Virtual Campus course. A copy of this book can be checked out from Stefan (AH-201) as an alternate to reading on-line. The book does not include exercises or data.

 

Software

    ArcGIS 10.2 (ESRI) - Available in AH-16 (the Spatial Analysis Lab), AH-14, AH-05, and many of the main campus Windows computer labs.

    Note that ArcGIS project files (.mxd) are not backwards compatible. That is, ArcGIS 10.1 or 9.x cannot open a project created in ArcGIS 10.2. Most computers on the WWU campus should have 10.2 installed.

    Evaluation copies of the software are available (the bigger, faster and the more RAM the better).  See Stefan for a CD. In addition, Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop and the GIS Tutorial: Workbook both include a 180 day evaluation copy.

 

Lecture Materials

    Various PowerPoint presentations and demo files will also be made available to supplement the labs. These will be stored in the class folder on the J:/ drive (J:\saldata\ENVS-321).

 

Recommended Course Materials (purchased items)

  • Recommended: Lab book for taking notes from lectures and lab assignments: Lab Books can be used during open-note quizzes.

  • Optional: Portable storage device (USB drive or other storage device). For most students, with proper data management, the U:\ drive should be adequate for the data storage needs of this class.

 

LAB ASSIGNMENTS  QUIZZES  &  FINAL  PROJECT:

    A progressive set of 5 Assignments (4 Lab assignments and a Final Project) will introduce and reinforce techniques of graphic design and cartography on the computer. Expectations in terms of cartographic concepts and techniques are cumulative. Assignments are due the beginning of class. Late lab assignments lose15%. All late assignments are due by 8:00 am on the Monday of Finals Week. Late Final Projects will not be accepted.

     The only exceptions regarding late assignments or Final Projects will be when a university approved Leave of Absence is provided (i.e., for medical reasons or a family emergency, refer to the University Academic Policies(in the WWU Course Catalog), WWU Division of Student Affairs and/or the Student Health Center for details).

    Using fellow students for advice, suggestions and feedback is encouraged. However, plagiarism and cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will be expelled from class or otherwise disciplined according to established University guidelines. Cheating includes any copying of other people’s computer files.

 

Working at HOME or in other labs:

    Much of the material in this course can be done using the ArcGIS Demo software or in the other Windows labs on campus (many of which have ArcGIS installed). HOWEVER, this may not be true for all of the assignments. As such, the recommendation is that students schedule time in the SAL labs (AH-14 or AH-16) to complete their homework. Those who choose to work from home or in other labs should allow adequate time, in case something doesn't work, to get the assignments done in the lab if need be. "I wasn't able to finish the homework because MY version of the software didn't have the right tools..." (or 'my internet connection failed,' or 'my USB drive is corrupt,' etc.) will not be considered acceptable excuses for late assignments (actually, they are perfectly acceptable excuses - but the assignments will still lose 15% for being late). 

 

Quizzes / Exams

     Quizzes are open note (anything you write down in your own handwriting or print from your own word documents can be used) but are  closed book/screen. Content for the Quizzes will be drawn from the Readings and Lecture materials. Quizzes will only be allowed to be taken late on a case-by-case basis and will lose 20% (1 pt).

 

        There will not be a Mid-Term or a Final Exam for this course.

 

GRADING:

    Course grading will be based on the quizzes and scores of submitted assignments.  The majority of the grade will be based on maps from the labs and final project. Thus, neatness, accuracy, completeness, aesthetic quality, and clear communication of information will be the measures of performance.

    Final grades will be based on a percentage of points earned for the quizzes and assigned labs (roughly 91% = A-, 81% = B-, etc., with the actual percentage breakdown subject to final revision by the instructor at the end of the quarter). 

    Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with WWU's University Academic Policies found in the Course Catalog, which will be adhered to in this course. 

  • Labs will be scored primarily on cartographic communication (and demonstration of the core concepts for a particular lab). Secondarily, artistic style will also be considered.

  • Neatness counts! Lab assignments should be turned in on a crisp, clean sheet of paper

  • Lab & Quiz scores will be posted to the class website (by partial W #'s)

  • Late Lab assignments lose 15% (all late asignments are due by 8:00 am Monday of Finals Week)

  • Late final projects will not be accepted

  • Extra-credit assignments, make-up or bonus points will not be available for this course

  • Learn how to properly save and backup your work - “The computer ate my file” is not an excuse

Plagiarism

    Digital files are extremely easy to share and copy. Resist the temptation to excessively 'collaborate' with fellow students. Getting advice, feedback and help from classmates is strongly encouraged. Plagiarism will not be tolerated... Likewise, be sure to NOT leave copies of your work on the C:/ drive of lab computers where others might 'find' and 'adopt' them... (for this reason students are encouraged to work off of their U:/ drive for this class). See WWU's Academic Honesty Policy and Procedure, and Student Rights and Responsibilities Code in the Western Catalog (Appendix C).

 

Accommodations

   Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities should be established within the first week of class and arranged through Disability Resources for Students (360-650-3083; drs@wwu.edu;http://www.wwu.edu/depts/drs/

 

Pass / Fail

    Students taking this course purely as an elective (including graduate students) are encouraged to take this course Pass / Fail.  Note, however, that students cannot take use Pass / Fail for any courses that are part of their Major, Minor or GURs (this includes use of the course as a Major elective).

 

FINAL  WORDS:

  • Please TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE

  • No food or drink in AH 16 (if you need to consume something, please leave the room)

  • Please keep AH-16 tidy, dispose of your trash in a receptacle and your old prints in the recycle bin

  • Try to avoid unnecessary printing, however, be sure to turn in your final products on clean paper. Remember sometimes it takes time (1-2 minutes or longer) for a printout so be patient and wait for your prints rather than hitting Print again.... Use the color printer only for final prints - do test prints with the BW printers when you can.

  • Cartography takes time. Average time for completing an assignment is 10-20 hours. If you are a perfectionist, either be ready to change your ways or be prepared to work up to 50 hrs/project. If you are new to computers, allow extra time... Plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to complete each project. There will be no mercy for people scrambling to get projects completed at the last minute -- computer cartography is time intensive.

  • That all said, have fun. Get to know your fellow cartographers and share your creative ideas and challenges with them. This course provides an opportunity for you to explore your creativity and apply it to a wide variety of tools for graphic communication of spatial concepts. 

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