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GGS 551-001: THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY
George Mason University 14158
Syllabus for Spring 2012
Robinson Hall A352
Tuesday 4:30-7:10pm
Professor Hallden
Email: jhallden@gmu.edu
Office: Robinson B, room 477C
If you would like to meet, please email to set up a time (or speak to me after class). 
Course Description:
Thematic Cartography is a hybrid class – part lecture, part discussion, part lab. In addition to
covering the fundamentals of thematic map development, we will examine the current trends and
cutting edge techniques. Students will create a variety of maps highlighting the major thematic
styles. Creative map design will be encouraged. Each week we will critique maps – online and
student creations. The end of the semester will focus on an individual final project consisting of a
web-based map that you research, design, develop, and present.
Class websites:
Blackboard: https://mymason.gmu.edu/
This will serve as the formal website for the class. It will hold the syllabus, lab assignments,
grades, and pertinent class information.
Posterous: http://ggs551.posterous.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. If you know the answer to someone’s post, please take the initiative and post a response.
Check the blog for news and updates (key messages will also be sent out via email to your GMU
account).
GMU email: Important class and university information will be sent to your GMU email account
over the course of the semester. If class is cancelled or the university is closing early, 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!
Supplies:
There is no textbook for Geog 551. We will use online sources.
For the lab component, you must bring a flash drive for saving your assignments. Please save
frequently while working in the lab and definitely keep a backup copy of your work! Uploading a
copy of finished labs to your GMU Web space (or Dropbox) is good way to save a backup copy.
Software: We will be using Adobe Illustrator as our main software. Adobe Photoshop, ESRI
ArcMap, and other programs will be available for certain labs plus the final project.
Computer Labs:
Robinson A352 is a Mac computer classroom with the Adobe software suite. Since the room is
locked outside of class time, everyone will receive access to the GGS computer lab in Research 1
room 249 for completing assignments.
Classroom/Lab Expectations:
1. You are expected to attend and be on time for class each week.
2. Stay on top of the material – participate in the discussion, finish the labs promptly, make
comments and post online. Class participation is important.
3. Do not eat or drink in the classroom.
4. 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 511 blog to house their work this semester. We will be using
Posterous.
Weekly Blog Post:
One of the best ways to expand your Cartographic skills is to examine maps – to analyze them
and critique them. With each weekly topic, find a high caliber example on the web. Track down a
map/graphic of weekly theme, post a link to it on your blog, and write a paragraph explaining
why it is noteworthy. Really search for a quality example – something that impresses you (and
something that has not been posted already).
Labs:
Lab assignments will be handed out each Tuesday and are due the following Tuesday at the start
of class (4:30pm). Labs will be either printed on paper or turned in digitally. All labs will include
a digital version posted to the personal class blog.
If for some reason (sickness, power outage, jail time, etc.) you are unable to turn in/upload your
lab on time, you get an automatic extension until noon Wednesday. After noon on Wednesday,
you will receive no credit. There are no “make-ups” or “redos.”
If you are having problems with your lab/blog, please contact the professor prior to the due date.
Don’t wait until the last minute to seek help!
Constructive Critiques:
Each week we will tackle a new concept in design and/or development in thematic mapping.
Every student, at some point, will be assigned an online map to critique and lead a discussion on
to the class the following week. Three students will also be selected each week to present their
maps from the prior week to the class -- to explain their design decisions and production process - and give the class an opportunity to provide a constructive critique of the map.
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 Tuesday, May 15th at 4:30pm. During
the final exam block, students will present their projects to the class.
Final Project Proposal:
A Final Project Proposal is due on Tuesday, April 3. In addition to the written proposal posted on
the blog, students will present a brief overview of their concept to the class with online examples.
Final Project Critique:
Starting on April 24th, students will present their in-progress final project map to the class for
constructive feedback. The critique stage is a key component of professional map development.
Attendance is key.
Student Responsibilities:
To successfully complete this course, you must attend class, review the weekly online materials,
participate in discussions, and complete the lab assignments. 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 important – make comments, ask
questions, help your fellow classmates. Each map must be individual, but the development
process can be communal.
Grading Scheme and Policy:
Grades will be assigned for the completion of this course based on the combination of the
following scores:
Lab assignments:
Discussion Lead for online map:
Map Briefing
Weekly Blog Posts
Final Project Proposal & Presentation:
Final Project Critique:
Final Project & Presentation:
Participation:
Total:
500 (10 labs at 50 points each)
100
50
50
50
50
150
50
1000
Academic Integrity:
Academic Integrity is essential, 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://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/honorcode/
Course Schedule: (as of Jan 20, 2012)
Week
Date
Topic
Lab
Assigned
Blog
Lab
Due
Notes
1-31 Last day to add class AND
the last day to drop with no
tuition liability.
1
T 1-25
Class Introduction;
What Makes a Map
2
T 1-31
Lab 1
Blog
3
T 2-7
Symbolization;
Generalization
Coordinate Systems
Map Projections;
Scale
Lab 2
1
4
T 2-14
Typography
Color
Lab 3
2
5
T 2-21
Data Classification
Lab 4
3
6
T 2-28
Choropleth Maps
Lab 5
4
7
T 3-6
Dot Maps
Lab 6
5
8
T 3-13
--
--
--
9
T 3-20
Proportional Symbols
Lab 7
6
10
T 3-27
Isarithmic Maps
Lab 8
7
11
T 4-3
Final Project Proposal
Presentations
Lab 9
8
12
T 4-10
Lab 10
9
13
T 4-17
Mulitvariate Maps &
Cartograms
New Directions
FP time
10
14
T 4-24
Final Project Critiques
FP time
15
T 5-1
Final Project Critiques
FP time
16
T 5-8
--
--
17
T 5-15
Final Project Presentations
4:30 – 7:15 pm
--
2-24 Last day to drop with no
academic liability.
No Class! Mid-Semester Break
Final Project Proposal Due
Reading Day -- No class
Final Project due at 4:30 pm