GEOGRAPHY 256 MAPS AND MAP READING FALL 2003
Description of Course:
One of the tasks of a Geographer is to explain the interrelationships between objects and phenomena found in different places the earth. Maps are therefore invaluable communication tools for the Geographer. Maps seem to be everywhere we look today; in daily newspapers and journals, in books and on televisions. Local government and planning agencies use them for plotting environmental and resource data and tourists need them to plan their trips. Soil, geology, water and utility professionals use maps in their daily works. The list of uses and users of maps seem endless. As society has become complex and maps have become vital for our daily lives and travels, so has the need for the citizenry to understand and interpret them. It is this need which will be fulfilled in this course.
Skills:
This course is about the making and interpretation of maps. It involves a lot of hands on training in map making and interpreting. A number of skills will also be taught and tested. In addition to written work, students will be required to determine directions from angles, heights from contours, locations of towns and places, and the identification of map symbols. We will undertake mathematical calculations based on scales and distances, slopes, GPS readings and angles. About half of the course will be devoted to explanations and discussion of concepts while the other half will usually be devoted to lab exercises. Remember that some practical exercises will take us to the field. You will be responsible for the care and return of all materials supplied for the course by the department. You will need to purchase pencils, pencil sharpeners, rulers and a set of compass and protractors for class work.
Course Requirements and Grading:
Exams will consist of short definitions, essays and practical questions. You will be assigned some Lab work every week to complete for grading. In addition, unannounced quizzes will be conducted to test students’ preparation and understandings of concepts from assigned readings. Such quizzes will be factored into the project and assignments grade. Grade deductions will be made for all work turned in late at a rate of 10% per school day. Labs that are two weeks late will not be accepted. Make-up exams will ONLY be arranged with prior approval and for students with official University excuse. Class attendance will be taken randomly and it will figure into the class participation grade. Prior preparation (reading referenced texts and articles at home) and good attendance are strongly suggested.
Course Requirements:
Your performance on this course will be evaluated as follows:
|
Midterm |
30% |
|
Finals |
40% |
|
Labs and Projects |
20% |
|
Class Participation and Attendance |
10% |
Any student who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate education opportunities.
IMPORTANT DATES
1. NESTVAL (Local AAG Meeting at Hartford, CT) …… …. October 10 – 11th, 2003
2. Geography Club (proposed trip to Niagara Falls) ………. …. November 7, 8 & 9, 2003
Required Textbooks for the Course
1. Campbell, John., Map Use and Analysis. Dubuque, Iowa. Wm. C. Brown Publishers
2. Useful Materials Supplementing Campbell’s Book can be found at the following internet address:-
http://www.mhhe.com/earthsci/geography/campbell/
Class Schedule:
A tentative class schedule is provided below. The topics covered on any given day may vary depending on the progress of the class, snow dates, and other incidents. All assignments and projects will come with due dates attached. These due dates, along with exams dates may not change and any lab handed in late WILL NOT will not be graded.
Week 1: September 2, 4, 2003
Introduction to Maps - types of maps, marginal information, elements of a map
Campbell, chapter 1 & Articles from the Internet
Week 2: September 9, 11, 2003
Topographic Map Symbols and Legends. Campbell, chapter 9 & Articles from the Internet. Article Lecture
Week 3: September 16, 18, 2003
Map Projections and the Mapping Process. Campbell, chapter 2 & 3 & Articles from the Internet Article Lecture_1 Lecture_2
Week 4: September 23, 25, 2003
Locational and Partitioning Systems. Campbell, chapter 4 & Articles from the Internet Lecture USPLC_Sketches;
Week 5: September 30th, Oct. 2, 2003
Scale and Generalization and Measurements. Campbell, chapters 5 & 6 and Articles from the Internet
Week 6: October 7, 9th 2003
Elevation and Relief, terrain representation, contours. Campbell, chapter 8
Week 7th & 8th October 7, 9, 14, 16 2003 (Mid-term Examination on October 9th, 2003).
Contour Interpretation and Topographic features. Campbell, chapter 9 & 10
Week 9: October 21, 23 2003.
Qualitative and quantitative information and Characteristics of Map Features. Campbell chapter 11 & 12
Weeks 10 and 11: October 28, 30, November 4, 6, 2003
Directions determination, Prismatic Chain Survey and Field Work. Selected Articles. Lecture Article:
Weeks 12 and 13: November 11, 13, 17, 20, 2003
2 Remote Sensing and Air photo Interpretation. Campbell, chapter 17 & 18
Week 13: November 25, 2003
Maps misuse Campbell chapter 16 and Selected Articles from Journals
Week 14: December 9, 11, 2003. Revision and projects completion
The date for Final Examination is :- Tuesday, December 16, 2003 (11.00 and 1.00 p.m.)