GEO 120 - Maps and Mapping

Maps are essential tools for geographers and others who use spatial information and study spatial phenomena. Maps can be used to both explore and present data, and they play an important role in our society. This course is an introduction to maps and cartography, with an emphasis on how they relate to geographic information systems (GIS). Major topics include data sources, the map abstraction process, "map infrastructure" (scale, projections, reference systems, accuracy), map types, use, and interpretation. The course material covers technical and social issues as well as applications. Geography 120 serves as an introduction to courses in cartography, GIS, and remote sensing offered in the Geography Department

Course Prerequisites: Pretty much none. Student are expected to be comfortable using a computer and a web browser to accomplish course exercises.

**Course Grading**
Component	Percent of Grade	Points
Online Quizzes	10	20
Exam 1	10	20
Exam 2	10	20
Exam 3	10	20
Activity A	5	10
Activity B	5	10
Final Project	20	40
Final Exam (Comprehensive)	20	40
Instructor Discretion	10	20
*Total Points*	*100%*	*200*

Class #	Date	Lecture Topic	Reading C - Campbell L -How to Lie with Maps S - Spying with Maps	Additional Information	Exercises/ Quizzes
1	W 1/14	Introduction (What and Why of Maps)	C: 20-21 (color plates), L: Chapter 1	Definitions 1	-
2	W 1/21	What Makes a Map and Map Scale	C: Chapter 1 & pp75-80	-	-
3	W 1/23			-	-
4	M 1/26	Map Production	C: Chapter 2 L: Chapter 2	-	-
5	W 1/28	The Earth she isa round…like a Ball. No the Earth she isa flat … like a Pancake	-	Definitions 2	Quiz 1
6	F 1/30	More Description of the Earth	-	-	-
7	M 2/2	Map Projections A	C: Chapter 3	Definitions 3	-
8	W 2/4	Map Projections B	-	-	Quiz 2
9	F 2/6	Where In the World	C: Chapter 4 S: Chapter 1	Definitions 4	-
10	M 2/9	A World Divided/Review	-	-	Quiz 3
11	W 2/11	Exam 1 (C: Chapter 1-4, L:1-2)	-	-	-
12	F 2/13	Generalization	C: Chapter 5 L: Chapter 3	-	-
13	M 2/16	Generalization	-	-	-
14	W 2/18	Measurement on Maps	C: Chapter 6	-	-
15	F 2/20	Measurement on Maps	-	-	-
16	M 2/23	North and its Various Meanings	C: Chapter 7	-	Quiz 4
17	W 2/25	Navigation at Sea	L: Chapter 7	-	-
18	F 2/27	Location with Electromagnetic Waves Navigation in the Air	-	-	-
19	M 3/1	Terrain Representation	C: Chapter 8	-	Quiz 5
20	W 3/3	Interpreting the Terrain Map	C: Chapter 9 L: Chapter 9	-	-
21	F 3/5	Topography, Morphology and Process	C: Chapter 10	-	-
22	M 3/8	Topography, Morphology and Process	-	-	Quiz 6
23	W 3/10	Exam 2 (C: Chapters 5-10, L: 7 & 9)	-	-	-
24	F 3/12	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
	3/15 - 3/19	Spring Break
26	M 3/22	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
27	W 3/24	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
28	F 3/26	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
29	M 3/29	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	Quiz 7
30	W 3/31	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
31	F 4/2	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
32	M 4/5	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	Quiz 8
33	W 4/7	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
34	F 4/9	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
35	M 4/12	Using Maps to Understand the World	-	-	-
36	W 4/14	Exam 3 (C: Chapter 11-21)	-	-	-
37	F 4/16	Final Project Presentations	Groups 13, 14, 15	-	-
38	M 4/19	Final Project Presentations	Groups 10, 11, 12	-	-
39	W 4/21	Final Project Presentations	Groups 7, 8, 9	-	-
40	F 4/23	Final Project Presentations	Groups 4, 5, 6	-	-
41	M 4/26	Final Project Presentations	Groups 1, 2, 3	-	-
Final	TBD	Final Exam	-	-	-

	We will be following the orginization of the primary text Map Use and Analysis. While the following syllabus outlines the anticipated topics for lectures, actual class discussion may take advantage of maps in the news, student questions and other topics of opportunity. Changes to the syllabus will be announced in class and on UBLearns.