Geography 12
Maps and Mapping
COURSE SYLLABUS
General Information
Lecture Sessions:
Mon/Tue/Thu, 2:00 – 3:20, Psych 1902
Lab Sections:
Wed, 2:00 – 4:00, Ellison 5824 or
Fri, 1:00 – 3:00, Ellison 5824
Course URL:
http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~pingel/Geog12/
Instructor / Teaching Assistant
Thomas J. Pingel, Trailer 942, Rm. 1002, email: pingel@geog.ucsb.edu
Office Hours: Thursday 12:00 –2:00 and by appointment.
Website: http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~pingel (includes directions to my office)
Gargi Chaudhuri, Trailer 942, Rm.1003, email: gargi@geog.ucsb.edu
Office Hours: Monday 10:30- 12:30
Course Description
Maps and Mapping is an introduction to the production and use of maps. Topics covered include
the history of maps and map making, cartography, map-based navigation, and the use of maps as
propaganda tools. Students will learn the basic elements of sound map design, how to use
topographic maps, the workings of GPS technology and in-car navigation systems, basic
information about satellite and other remotely-sensed imagery. Students will also be introduced to
Geographic Information Systems and Digital Earth products.
Materials Required
- Campbell, J. 2001. Map use & analysis. 4th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
One copy of the textbook is on reserve at the library.
- Monmonier, M. How to Lie with Maps. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. One
copy of this book is on reserve at the library.
- Lab: US Geological Survey Goleta, CA. 7.5 minute quadrangle. Available at the UCSB
bookstore (ask at the desk). You need this almost immediately!
- Metric/imperial (millimeter/inches) ruler. Clear is best.
- Scientific calculator. Should be able to do logs, angles, scientific notation.
Assessment
-
Midterm Exam 25% - Multiple choice and short answer. (Date: Thu, July 10)
Final Exam 35% - Multiple choice and short answer. (Date: Thu, July 31)
In-Class Quizzes 5% - 2 to 4 short quizzes over recent lecture and reading material.
Weekly Assignments 35% - Hands-on exercises requiring roughly 2-4 hours each to complete
Late Policy
Each lab is due one week later in the lab session. Late labs will only be accepted if turned in
within two days of the due date. Labs turned in late lose 10% of the total possible value each day.
Extra Credit
There are extra credit opportunities available through participation in the Geography Research
Pool. The pool provides a source of research participants for faculty and graduate student
researchers in the Department of Geography. The Pool is managed by the Geography Research
Pool web system at http://ucsb-geog.sona-systems.com. For each hour of research in which you
participate, you will earn extra-credit points equal to 1% of the total points in the class, up to a
maximum of 3%. If you cannot or do not want to participate in the Pool, you may get the
equivalent amount of extra credit through an alternative that does not require research
participation. More information about this option is available on the course website.