GEOG 4043/5043, Cartography 2:

Interactive and Multimedia Mapping

Dr. Kenneth E. Foote, Instructor

Office Hours: 12:15-1:00 MW or by appt. in Guggenheim 102B, Phone: (303) 492-6760, E-mail: k.foote@colorado.edu

Galen Maclaurin, Teaching Assistant

Office Hours: Wednesday 12:15-1:15 in Guggenheim 301 and Friday 12-1 in KESDA or by appt., Phone: (303) 735-1084, E-mail: maclaurg@colorado.edu

Overview

Cartography 2 is designed as an introduction to multimedia, interactive, animated, and Web cartography, stressing the new and important roles digital cartography is coming to play in cyberspace. The course focuses on principles of effective cartographic communication and the question of how these apply in multimedia and hypertext environments. Special attention will be directed to how multimedia expands the range of options open to cartographers, yet constrains cartographic communication in other ways. Emphasis will also be placed on using the Web as a research resource for cartographers and on effective ways of evaluating Web-based data resources. The course is designed to allow you to reach three interrelated goals:

1) To create effective hypertext, animated and Web maps

To know how the principles of cartographic and visual communication apply to multimedia, animated and Web maps
To understand the strengths and weaknesses of the hypertext environment for composing maps
To describe different static and interactive methods of organizing maps in the Web, including the use of mapserver technologies

2) To gather and evaluate digital cartographic information, particularly materials found in the Web

To know the most important starting places for cartographic information
To formulate efficient search strategies for finding data in the Web
To assess the strengths and weaknesses of various data suppliers and sources in the Web
To download, store and convert data and information collected in the Web

3) To gain the digital skills needed to create effective Web and multimedia maps

To author Web documents using a variety of authoring systems
To add interactive features such animations, touch-sensitive maps, and forms
To understand basic issues of Web usability and how to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web site
To be familiar with the issues of good netizenship, copyright and fair use as they apply to online environments

Cartography 2 is organized around active-learning projects, all of which will be published in the Web. The projects have been selected so that they raise a variety of technical and methodological problems related to the design of maps in the Web. Most of the materials for the class have been developed in hypermedia format as an on-line "electronic" textbook and lab manual in the Worldwide Web. The course does assume some previous experience in cartography or GIS (Mapping a Changing World, Cartography 1, GIS 1 or GIS 2), although it does not assume previous experience with Web authoring. Experience with Windows-based computers is valuable, as is any experience with ArcMap, Illustrator, Freehand, PhotoShop, Mozilla Composer, Internet Explorer, Frontpage, Flash, and MS Office software.

Grading: An Online Portfolio

Your course grade will be based on an online portfolio of work, as well as two take-home exams. Your portfolio will include four projects: 1) your course Web site (20% of final grade); 2) mapping Lafayette's architectural heritage (20% of final grade); 3) a virtual fieldtrip (20% of final grade); and 4) an independent project (20% of final grade). The two exams will each count for 10% of your grade. They will focus especially on readings and on careful observations of actual examples of multimedia and interactive maps.

It is my policy in all my classes to abide by the CU Honor Code (http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/) This means that I will penalize with course failure anyone who engages in academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, among other offenses, plagiarism of the writing of others, cheating on exams, falsification and fabrication of data, and submitting the assignments or papers of others as your own.

Lab Meetings

Attendance is required at all lab and lecture sessions, unless excused by the instructor for reasons of health or family emergency or for reasons given below under religious observances and disability access.

Textbooks and Software

No textbooks are required for this course. Most of the notes and materials are online in the Worldwide Web. Some additional books and readings will be placed on reserve or E-reserve.

The readings are noted in the class schedule and usually one or two articles or book chapters each week.

If you wish to find additional information about Web authoring:

Excellent reference sources are available in the Web including documents on Web publishing issued by CU's ITS (including its HTML and CGI Tools page), from other universities, and from other providers such as the W3 Consortium .
If you prefer a printed book, you might browse the books on Web authoring available in most bookstores or check online bookstores listed below.

We will be using a number of software systems during the semester. Most of these systems include excellent help files and tutorials that should provide all the training you will need to succeed in this course. However, many fine training guides are available for the software we will be using. You may wish to browse through books available at local bookstores, computer shops, and online booksellers to see if what is available, or ask me.

You may find it useful to buy software some authoring and graphics software for your home computer. Very good educational/instructional prices have been set for some of the software we will use. These include PhotoShop Elements or Adobe Creative Suite (CS4), and AutoCAD. You may also wish to download free copies of the Mozilla browser and SSH to use on your homecomputer..

Required Supplies

You should have a 1-4 GB memory stick available for use in this course. You will also need additional storage media for your backup files (CDs, DVDs or an additional memory stick). Please backup each project as you complete it and backup important files more regularly.

Identikey, Internet Access and E-mail

You will be making extensive use of the Geography Department's KESDA computer lab, the Internet, Worldwide Web, and E-mail. Be sure that you have a valid CU Identikey password and working email account. For more information go to:

1) http://www.colorado.edu/its/docs/accounts/activate.html
2) Getting Started with Campus Technology (http://www.colorado.edu/ITS/gettingstarted/)

Laboratory Access and Use

The course requires you to spend time working in the department's KESDA computer lab (Guggenheim 6) or using your own personal computer at home. You should plan to spend at least 4-5 hours on computer homework every week, in addition to your time in lab/recitation. Please study the guidelines for using the computer laboratory which are available online . These rules will be enforced strictly during the semester and their violation will result in loss of laboratory privileges.

Disabilities Assistance

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services to me in the first two weeks of the class so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities.

The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Counselor for Students with Disabilities, Disability Services Office, located in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671) and their instructors of any special needs. If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671). See also www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices

This University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education "solely by reason of a handicap." Disabilities covered by law include but are not limited to learning disabilities and hearing, sight or mobility impairments. If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see me or the Coordinator of Services to students with disabilities in the Disability Services Office, Willard 322 (phone 303-492-8671), so that such accommodations may be arranged.

I encourage students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury and attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, psychiatric disabilities, to discuss with me, after class or during my office hours, appropriate accommodations.

Religious Observances & Class

If conflicts arise between class meetings, assignment deadlines, or examinations and holidays or celebrations observed by your religion, please notify me, Professor Foote, at least two weeks in advance of a given conflict so that suitable schedule accommodations can be made.Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to reasonably and fairly deal with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments orrequired attendance. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

CU Sexual Harassment Policy

The Office of Discrimination and Harassment requests that all faculty include this information in their syllabi for every course.

The University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty. Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention. It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises or create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combination of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the OSH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at: http://www.colorado.edu/odh/

CU Classroom Behavior Policy

Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat all students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which they and their students express opinions. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender variance, and nationalities. See polices at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code

CU Honor Code

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution.Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council (honor@colorado.edu; 303-725-2273). Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

Last revised 2009.7.30. KEF