Instructor: Alan Forsberg.
Office hours: after class or by appointment.
Tel: (650) 574-6677 x9296
e-mail: griots@hotmail.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
"Because of personal computers and electronic publishing, map users can now easily lie to themselves -- and be unaware of it." (course textbook on page one). That is precisely the reason why this first course in the 3 part series on GIS focuses first and foremost on cartographic and geographic concepts. This course focuses on map reading skills and introduces the many uses of geographic information systems software. Transfer: CSU.
COURSE SCHEDULE (below) and this syllabus can be accessed at the following web address:
https://griots.tripod.com/sky/gis301sp01.html
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of the course you should be able to:
TEXT
How to Lie With Maps (2nd ed.) Mark
Monmonier 1996 U. of Chicago Press
Reading assignments will be made from this textbook, and occasional handouts.
HOW THE COURSE IS ORGANIZED
The topics of this course are divided into weeks, which normally cover one or more chapters. Specific topic areas are supplemented with online resources (posted on the COURSE SCHEDULE below). Classes will be in the lecture/discussion format with full use of graphic illustration, and involve some student group work.
PREPARATION AND ASSIGNMENTS
You should complete the assigned reading by the due date. Check the schedule to see if there have been any revisions. Prepare for the class by taking notes and asking questions on topics that you do not understand.
COMPUTER LINKS
The links from the COURSE SCHEDULE below are designed to complement the readings and lecture, and to provide students with additional explanation and resources. Treat them as readings on reserve.
QUIZZES / IN-CLASS EXERCISES
I give four quizzes/exercises (each worth 150 points) to encourage you to keep up with your reading and to enable you to measure your progress. Questions may include multiple-choice, true-false, open-ended questions, and matching. Some questions will involve the analysis of maps, diagrams, or statistics. There will be no make-up quizzes.
EXAMS
There will be one final exam the last day of class worth 300 points or 30% of your grade. The final will consist of essay and short answer questions.
ATTENDANCE & CLASS PARTICIPATION
Attendance will be taken periodically. Class participation means attending regularly, answering questions in class, asking appropriate questions, contributing to classroom discussion and group activities. You may be dropped if you are absent more than twice without notifying the instructor. However, it is your responsibility if you decide to drop the class. Do not count on me to drop you before the last date for a "W".
COURSE EVALUATION
Examinations (One Final Exam) | 300 points |
In-class Quizzes/Exercises (4 @ 150 points each) |
600 points |
Participation | 100 points |
TOTAL POINTS | 1000 points |
GRADING
The total number of points that you accumulate during the semester will determine your final course grade. Final grades are based on the following percentages of total points:
A = 900-1000 pts. | B = 800-899 pts. | C = 700-799 pts. | D = at least 600 pts. |
Week | Date | Topic | Readings | Links |
1 | 1/17 | What is a map | Ch. 1 | Online Atlases and Map Collections |
2 | 1/24 | Elements of a map - Map Projections Examples, Cartographic Communication website | Ch. 2 | |
3 | 1/31 | Map generalizations | Ch. 3, 4, 11 | Make a Map - assignment 2 |
4 | 2/7 | Map interpretation and the physical environment. | Ch. 5, 6, 7 | Site a Landfill - assignment 3 |
5 | 2/14 | Map interpretation and culture. | Ch. 8, 9, 10 | Lead Study - assignment 4 |
6 | 2/21 | Introduction to GIS | Ch. 12, 13 | GIS links, Microdem Program, GIS Introduction |