Mapmaking for GIS
Geography
410/510 2 credits
CRN: 82785/ 82786
Summer 2006
Wednesdays
Instructor:
David Banis
Email: dbanis@pdx.edu
Website for
course materials: http://web.pdx.edu/~dbanis/
Office: 424N
Cramer Hall
Office Hours: by appointment or just stop by
Course
Objectives
GIS
software makes mapmaking easy, but that does not mean that the maps produced
are correct or understandable. Maps made by those familiar with some cartographic
design principles will be more effective in communicating their intended
message. The focus of this class is on learning and using basic cartographic
principles to produce of presentation-quality maps with GIS software.
Content
The class is
primarily hands on, and students will learn to use the design tools available
in ArcGIS 9 software to complete a series of on-line and in-class computer exercises
and create maps for different purposes. Exercises from the ESRI Virtual Campus Course: Cartographic Design
Using ArcGIS 9 will be used as a component of the class. Topics covered
include map layout, use of graphical elements, labeling and annotation,
symbology, color, generalization, and georeferencing.
Some prior familiarity with GIS software is recommended.
Text
and
The text for this course is “Designing
Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users” by Cynthia
Brewer, 2005. The book is available online as part of the virtual course or can
be purchased as a hardcopy.
Access
to On-line Course and Computer Lab
Each student must
create an ESRI global account. Go to http://campus.esri.com and click ‘Create Account’. After you
do this, the instructor will give you a course access code for the online
course “Cartographic Design Using ArcGIS”. Click
"My Courses" on the left side of the page and then click the
"Have a new Course Access Code?" link. Type your course access code
in the field provided and click "Enroll Now." The title of the course
will appear in your course list. Click the course title to begin.
You will be
given access to CH 469 during times when classes are not being conducted by
providing your 5 digit badge number to the instructor. You may also obtain a
trial version of ArcGIS 9 from the instructor, which
allows you to do assignments on your own computer. In addition, all computer
labs on campus have the ArcGIS software.
Assignments
and Grading
On-line and in-class assignments are intended to be completed by the end
of class. You can take longer to complete them, but they must be emailed to the
instructor before the beginning of the next class session. Take-home
assignments are due at the beginning of the following class session. Be
prepared to share the maps you have created with the class at that time.
On-line and in-class
assignments are worth 50% of your grade, and take-home assignments are worth 50%
of your grade.
Class
Schedule
|
Date |
Topics |
Exercises |
|
June 28 |
Class
Intro Design
for Map Purpose |
On-line:
The Big Picture on
Design and Customizing Map Elements Take-home:
Portland Area Map |
|
July
5 |
Labels |
On-line:
Type Basics and Effective
Type in Map Design Take-home:
Revised Portland
Area Map |
|
July
12 |
Map
Critique Symbology and Misc Tools |
On-line:
Customizing
Symbols In-class:
Georeferencing Take-home:
US Map |
|
July
19 |
Map Critique Using
Color |
On-line:
Color Basics and Color
Decisions for Mapping |