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GEOGRAPHY 411-001: ADVANCED DIGITAL CARTOGRAPHY
George Mason University 11399
Syllabus for Spring 2010
Innovation 336
Tuesday & Thursday 10:30am-11:45am
Instructor: Jill Hallden
Email: [email protected]
Office: Robinson B, room 477C
Phone: 703-993-4242
Office Hours: noon-1pm Tues & Thurs and by appt (just send me an email and we’ll find a time)
Course Description:
Advanced Digital Cartography is a hands-on class focusing on current issues and technology in
Cartography and Geographic Visualization. It takes the fundamentals learned in Geog 310 and
expands into animated and interactive maps, web mapping, and new visualization techniques.
Tuesdays will be spent discussing new concepts, critiquing maps, and demos of software. Labs
will be demoed and started on Thursdays. The end of the semester will focus on an individual
final project consisting of a web-based animation, visualization, and/or interactive map that you
research, design, develop, and present.
Class websites:
Blackboard: https://gmu.blackboard.com/
This will serve as the formal website for the class. It will hold the syllabus, lab assignments,
review sheets, grades, and pertinent class information.
Posterous: http://geog411.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: 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. Go to http://itusupport.gmu.edu/help/keywordcontent.cfm?contentid=23
Please verify that your email forwarding is working throughout the semester!
Supplies:
There is no textbook required for Geog 411. Articles will be posted online or handed out in class.
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 is another way to save a backup copy. Saving your
work to a local machine is not a reliable method. Don’t risk losing what you’ve worked on….
Software:
Adobe Flash is required for this course – it is used for the majority of the lab assignments as well
as the final project. We will be using version CS4. We will also be experimenting with Photoshop
Elements, Google Earth, among others. No prior exposure to these programs is expected.
Computer Labs:
Innovation 336 has the Adobe Design Suite so all class meetings will be held there. The only
issue is that IN336 is not open after class time (and labs often take several hours). Therefore, all
students will receive a door code and computer account for the Robinson A113 computer lab.
RA113 is open only to students taking GGS courses, is open 24 hours, and has Flash (our primary
software).
Classroom/Lab Expectations:
1. You are expected to attend and be on time for class each week (both Tues and Thurs).
2. Stay on top of the material – do the readings, finish the labs promptly, make comments
and post online. Class participation is important.
3. Do not eat or drink in the lab or 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 411 blog to house their work this semester. Posterous accepts
Flash files so we will use that site. You can start fresh or “add-on” to your Geog 310 blog – your
choice!
Weekly Map Post:
One of the best ways to expand your Cartographic skills is to examine maps – to analyze them
and critique them. With each lab assignment, find a high caliber example on the web. Track down
a map/graphic of the same style as the lab, 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). Posts are assigned on Thursday and are due
the following Tuesday (so they can be viewed before the lab is due).
Labs:
Lab assignments will be handed out each Thursday and are due the following Thursday at the
start of class (10:30am). No printed labs this semester – all labs will result in a graphic/movie that
is uploaded to your personal 411 blog. Make sure you answer any lab questions in the
accompanying blog post. Assignments must be uploaded and working at the start of class (unless
other instructions have been given). No late assignments will be graded! 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 upload your assignment!
Topic Reviews:
Each week we will tackle a new concept in design and development in cartography and
visualization. To launch us into the discussion, student groups will give Topic Review
presentations. The Topic Review will consist of a clear explanation of the concept (posted on
their blogs), a minimum of 5 quality online examples with detailed comments, plus an in-class
presentation of the material with demos of the examples. Topic sign-ups will be in week 2 along
with a grading rubric.
Exam:
There will be one exam. It will be an essay format covering lecture material, labs, readings, and
discussions. Specific details will be discussed prior to the exam. NO makeup exam will be given.
Final Project:
In place of a final exam, there will be a final project. It will consist of an original web-based
animation, visualization, and/or interactive map you select, research, design, and develop.
Specific details will be discussed during the semester. The Final Project is due at the final exam
period - the same time as your Final Project Presentation to the class.
Final Project Proposal:
A Final Project Proposal is due on Tuesday, March 30. In addition to the written proposal,
students will present a brief overview of their topic and concept to the class.
Final Project Critique:
Starting the week of April 20th, 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 will be graded on their critique comments. Attendance is key.
Student Responsibilities:
To successfully complete this course, you must attend class, do the readings, 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
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
500 (10 labs at 50 points each)
Exam:
100
Topic Review:
60
Weekly Map Posts
50 (5pts for each of the 10 lab topics)
Final Project Proposal & Presentation:
50
Final Project Critique:
60
Final Project & Presentation:
150
Participation:
30
Total:
1000 (plus extra credit)
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 15, 2010)
Week
Date
Topic
1
2
3
T 1-19
Th 1-21
T 1-26
Th 1-28
T 2-2
Intros
Overview
Flash Metaphor
Timelines
5
T 2-16
Interactive
interfaces
6
Th 2-18
T 2-23
Th 2-25
T 3-2
9
10
T 3-9
Th 3-11
T 3-16
Th 3-18
T 3-23
T 3-30
12
Th 4-1
T 4-6
Th 4-8
13
14
15
16
T 4-13
Th 4-15
T 4-20
Th 4-22
T 4-27
Th 4-29
Th 5-6
Blog
2: Flip-books
1
3: Timelines
2
2-2 Last day to add class
AND the last day to drop
with no tuition liability.
2-19 Last day to drop with
no academic liability.
4: Faux-GIS
3
5: Motion tween
4
6: Shape tween
5
--
--
7: Preloaders, links,
camera effects
6
8: Google Earth &
Image Overlay
7
Objects that
morph…
--
Spring Break – No class!
Professional effects
3D maps &
modeling
Th 3-25
11
Blog
Object that move..
Th 3-4
8
Notes
1: Flash Basics
T 2-9
Th 2-11
7
Lab
Due
Animation Basics
Th 2-4
4
Lab Assigned
FP Proposal
Presentations
Final Project Proposal
Due
9: Sketchup
8
10: Photoshop
Elements
9
Cartograms
In-class Exam
FP Critiques
FP Critiques
FP Critiques
FP Critiques
FP time
10
FP time
FP time
FP time
FP time
10:30am-1:15pm
Last class
Final Project
Presentations & Projects
Due