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Introduction to Digital Cartography
GGS 310-001 72886; Lab 72887
George Mason University
Syllabus for Fall 2013: Innovation Hall room 336
Lecture: Tues & Thurs 10:30-11:45am
Lab: Tues & Thurs 12:00-1:15pm
Professor Hallden
Email: jhallden@gmu.edu
Office: Exploratory Hall, room 2219
I am available to meet before class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you would like to meet at a
different time just email me!
Course Description:
This course introduces the core geographic discipline of Cartography: the art and science of
designing and producing maps. In the lectures and readings we will examine established
cartographic design principles including scale and projection, symbolization and classification,
the use of tones, colors, and typography as well as effective visual display. In the lab, students
will produce a variety of maps using digital techniques that illustrate the design issues
presented in the lectures. A final project will consist of a professional-quality digital map
researched, designed, and developed by the student.
Class websites:
Blackboard: http://mymason.gmu.edu
This will serve as the formal website for the class. It will hold the syllabus, review sheets,
grades, and pertinent class information.
Blogger: http://ggs310.blogspot.com/
The blog is the real heart of the class – the place to look for answers, to post questions, to
interact with the rest of the class. Have a question? Discovered a time saving trick? Post a
comment on the blog. Don’t be shy! Check the blog for news and updates (key messages will
also be sent out via email to your GMU account).
GMU email: You must activate and check your GMU email account. Important class and
university information will be sent to this email account over the course of the semester. If
class is cancelled or the university is opening late, I will send an email as soon as I hear. If you
do not wish to use your GMU account as your primary email, you can set it to forward all
emails to a preferred address. Please verify that your email forwarding is working throughout
the semester!
Required Text:
Dent, Torguson, and Holder, Cartography: Thematic Map Design, 6th edition, 2008, McGrawHill. Additional readings will be posted on the class blog.
Supplies:
A flash drive for saving your assignments! Please save frequently while working in the lab
(lab2a, lab2b, lab2c, for example) and definitely keep a backup copy of your work! Uploading a
copy of finished labs to your GMU Web space (or Dropbox) is another good habit. Saving
your work to a local machine is not a reliable method. Don’t risk losing what you’ve worked
on….
Computer Rooms:
Both lecture and lab will be held in Innovation 336. Since the Innovation classroom locks after
class time, we will also be utilizing the department computer lab (Exploratory Hall, room
2102) for non-class-time production. This lab is available 24/7 (unless reserved), which is
extremely helpful. Many lab assignments will require several hours to complete.
Software:
Adobe Illustrator is required for this course – it is used for lab assignments as well as the final
project. Although maps can be easily created in GIS programs, the majority of professional
cartographers turn to graphics programs for more design flexibility. No prior knowledge of
Illustrator is expected. If you have little or no experience with computers, please see me.
Classroom/Lab Expectations:
1. You are expected to attend and be on time for class each week (both Tues AND Thurs,
both lecture AND lab).
2. Stay on top of the material – finish the labs promptly, make comments and post online.
Class participation is important.
3. Do not eat or drink in the classroom.
4. Plan to spend real time outside of class to finish weekly lab assignments.
5. In the event of a cancelled class (for snow, for example), the class will resume where
we left off. Please check the class website, GMU website, and your GMU email for
announcements.
Personal Class Blog:
Each student will set up their own 310 blog to house their work this semester. Google’s Blogger
accepts many graphic file formats, is free and easy to use.
Weekly Blog Posts:
Creative design is fueled through examination of other maps (both good and bad). In order to
build a large collection of examples, each student will search online for a quality example of
the map style or topic currently being discussed. Post the example with comments each week
before Thursday’s class. Look for examples no one else has posted.
Lab Assignments:
Lab assignments are due one week after they are assigned. They are typically introduced on
Tuesday and due at the start of lab the following Tuesday (at noon). Specifics are listed on the
syllabus calendar. No late assignments will be graded! Emails, faxes, and assignments placed
in my mailbox or under my office door will not be accepted. If you are unable to make it to
class the day the lab is due, you must make special arrangements with me prior to the due date.
If you are having problems with your lab, please contact me as soon as possible! Don’t wait
until the last minute! There will be no lab “makeups” or “redos.” Labs constitute half of the
total course grade so invest time in them each week. Feedback can be provided at any point.
Quizzes and Quiz Policies:
1. There will be four quizzes.
2. The quiz begins and ends as indicated– there is no additional time for late arrivals.
3. Once a completed quiz is turned in, no more quizzes will be offered for late arrivals.
4. No help of any kind may be given or received by students during a quiz.
5. Quiz material will be based on lectures, reading assignments, and lab assignments. A
review sheet will be posted to the class blog prior to the quiz.
6. Makeup quizzes will only be offered in extreme situations on a case-by-case basis.
Final Project:
In place of a final exam, there will be a final project. It will consist of a digital map that you
research, design, and develop. It should be your highest quality work. Specific details will be
discussed during the semester. The Final Project is due on Thursday, December 17th at
10:30am. During the final exam blocks for the lecture and lab, students will present their
projects to the class.
Final Project Proposal and Presentation:
A Final Project Proposal is due on Thursday, November 7th. In addition to the written
proposal, students will present a brief overview of their topic and concept to the class.
Final Project Critique and Comments:
During the last week of class, students will present their in-progress final project to the class
for constructive feedback. The critique stage is a key component of professional map
development. In addition to presenting, students give constructive comments on the other
maps. Attendance is key.
Extra Credit:
There will be opportunities for extra credit during the course including small tasks and
software demos to the class.
Academic Integrity:
Academic Integrity is essential and each individual is expected to do his/her own work;
violations of the University Honor Code will not be tolerated and will result in course failure.
Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat,
plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work. Please familiarize yourself with
the Honor Code policies: http://honorcode.gmu.edu/
Student Responsibilities:
To successfully complete this course, you must attend class and lab, do assigned readings,
complete the lab exercises, and participate. Since the artistic component of Cartography is as
important as the technical/scientific side, you’ll need to spend time approaching your maps
from a creative perspective in addition to making them clear and accurate. This is especially
true for the final project. Class participation is also key – make comments, ask questions, help
your classmates! Each map must be individual, but the development process can be communal.
Grading Scheme and Policy:
Although there are separate lecture and lab sections for this course, there is only one final
grade (all 4 credits fall in the lecture CRN). Grades are based on the accumulation of points
throughout the semester utilizing the breakdown below:
Quizzes #1-4
200
(50 points per Quiz)
Final Project Proposal & Presentation: 30
Final Project Critique and Comments:
50
Final Project & Presentation 150
Lab assignments: 500
(10 labs at 50 points each)
Weekly blog posts
50
(5pts for each of the 10 lab topics)
Participation:
20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Total:
1000 pts (+ extra credit)
Tentative Lecture Schedule: (as of August 23, 2013)
Date
Lecture
Lab Assigned
Week
1
T 8-27
Th 8-29
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
T 9-3
1st Post
Coordinate Systems; 1: Earth Shapes Blog
Scale
Map Projections
Map Projections
Quiz #1
Typography
Th 9-19
T 9-24
Generalization;
Elements of
Cartographic Design
Data Classification
Th 9-26
T 10-1
Th 10-3
T 10-8
Th 10-10
T 10-15
Quiz #2
Choropleth Maps
5: Choropleth
Color
Color
6: Color
Proportional Symbols 7: Proportional
---
Th 10-17
T 10-22
Th 10-24
T 10-29
Th 10-31
T 11-5
Th 11-7
Quiz #3
Isarithmic Maps
Discuss Final Project
Dot Density Maps
Final Project Examples
T 11-12
Th 11-14
T 11-19
Th 11-21
T 11-26
Th 11-28
15
T 12-3
Th 12-5
T 12-10
Th 12-12
T 12-17
Notes
Blog
Th 9-5
T 9-10
Th 9-12
T 9-17
14
16
Class Introduction;
What Makes a Map
Symbolization
Lab
Due
2: Graticule
1
3: Type
2
4: Boundary
3
5
--
6
7
9: Dot
8
Quiz #4
--
Final proj time
--
New Directions
Final Project Help
Final proj time
Final proj time
Final Project
Final Project
Critiques
Critiques
--Final Project
Presentations both
Tuesday & Thursday
10:30am – 1:15p
9-27 is the last day to drop
with no academic liability.
4
8: Isoline
Final Project Proposal More FP Prop
Pres.
Pres
Bivariate
10: Bivariate
9-3 is the last day to add
AND the last day to drop
without tuition liability.
Columbus Day - No Class!
Mon classes meet on Tues
Final Project Proposal Due
9
10
--
Thanksgiving: No Class!
Last regular class
Reading Day
Final Project Due
(for everyone)
THURSDAY 12-17 at
10:30AM!!