Quantitative Reasoning in the Geosciences Spring 2016 Geography 138, 3 credits Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 11:00-11:50 AM, 242 Schroeder

Office Hours: MW 10 – 10:45, F 12 –1 by appointment Phone: 309-438-7679

Instructor: Dr. John Kostelnick 107 Felmley Hall E-mail: [email protected]

Objectives: Analysis and visualization of quantitative data are important tasks for geoscientists, including geographers, who study the Earth. Maps and other graphics are essential visualizations that help us understand our world. From a broader perspective, maps are everywhere in society today, used for many purposes. This course surveys the recent explosion in the use of maps and related geographic information (GIS, remote sensing, GPS) in society, and how these are used for quantitative reasoning in the geosciences. We explore this “mapping revolution” through several perspectives by considering how maps are used, how they are created, and how their use impacts society. Our analysis will include appreciation for the historical growth of mapping, and an emphasis on recent “cutting-edge” advancements in mapping today. This course serves as a gateway to more advanced courses in the Geographic Information Sciences (cartography, GIS, and remote sensing), and geography in general. At the conclusion of the course, you should be able to:     

  

Demonstrate how to use maps for analysis and visualization of quantitative information. Read, understand, and use a range of maps effectively. Understand and describe how different types of maps and geographic information are used (and sometimes misused) for a variety of societal purposes, and across a range of academic disciplines. Understand the key steps involved in producing maps. Describe and understand core concepts related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and the Global Positioning System (GPS), and their relevance and application to a variety of topics. Describe emerging trends in mapping today. Analyze maps critically, and explain key ethical issues related to mapping. Apply concepts learned in class to your academic major and your everyday life.

Required Textbooks: The World of Maps by Judith A. Tyner. 2015. New York: Guilford Press. (Listed as “Tyner” in the reading assignment schedule on pages 4-5). How to Lie with Maps, by Mark Monmonier. 2nd edition, Chicago: University of Chicago. (Listed as “Monmonier” in the reading assignment schedule on pages 4-5). Additional readings from professional journals and the popular press will be assigned also.

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General Education: This course fulfills the Middle Core Quantitative Reasoning General Education requirement at Illinois State University. General Education provides students with a broad, common foundation of study upon which to build an undergraduate education. The program develops skills of oral and written communication, logical and scientific reasoning, computer usage, and quantitative analysis. Courses in General Education explore ways of knowing in the various disciplines through examination of significant historical, social, cultural, and scientific issues. Grading: Final grades will be calculated based on the following points: Exams (3 @ 100 each, 60%) = Quizzes (3 @ 10 each, 6%) = Exercises (6 @ 15 each, 18%) = Discussion Posts (5 @ 10 each, 10%) = Attendance/Participation (10 @ 3, 6%) = ----------------------------------------------------------

300 points 30 points 90 points 50 points 30 points -------------------500 total points

Grading Scale: The following grading scale will be used to determine final grades: A B C D F

450 – 500 points 400 – 449 325 – 399 275 – 324 < 275

100% – 90% 89% – 80% 79% – 65% 64% – 55% < 55%

Exams: Three exams will be given, each weighted equally. Each exam will cover material since the previous exam and will not be comprehensive in nature. Exam questions will be derived from class lectures, class activities, exercises, and readings. Specific details regarding exam format and content will be provided in class prior to the exams. Quizzes: A short quiz (approximately 10 multiple choice questions each) will be assigned approximately a week before each exam to provide feedback as you study for the exam. Quizzes will be submitted online in ReggieNet. You may use your class notes, textbook, and any other resources for each quiz as these are intended to be learning experiences to prepare you for the exam. Exercises: Exercises will be assigned every few weeks to provide “hands on” experience with mapping activities. Exercises (6 total) will cover a diverse array of topics, from topographic map reading to GIS analyses. Many of these exercises will require that you have access to a computer and the web. Some exercises will utilize specialized software (e.g., Google Earth) that demonstrates specific mapping tasks. The computer lab in FHS 202 is available for your use to complete these assignments. Discussion Posts: We will use online discussions/blogs in ReggieNet to stimulate class conversation about important course topics. The purpose of the online discussions is to encourage you to think critically about current trends in the mapping revolution today and to give you a forum to voice your thoughts and opinions. You will receive a grade of 0 - 10 points for each online discussion topic, based

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on the quality and insightfulness of your contribution to the class discussion for each topic. Generally, each discussion post will be open for one week. Topics and due dates will be announced in class. Attendance and Participation: Attendance at all class sessions and participation in class activities is expected. A portion of your final grade will be based on your class attendance and participation. Attendance will be taken randomly throughout the semester and will be factored into your class participation grade. If you know in advance that you will be unable to attend a class, I would strongly encourage you to contact me prior to the class meeting. Make-up exams will not be issued unless proper documentation can be provided for a medical illness, an approved university function, or another reason that I deem acceptable. Please note that I will not provide class handouts and notes to you in cases of unexcused absence. Classroom Etiquette: Please turn off all phones, iPads, and other electronic devices before class so as not to distract other students. If you disrupt a class session in any way (talking, texting, etc.), you may be asked to leave the classroom. ReggieNet: Class lecture outlines, assignments, and grades will be posted on the class ReggieNet site. To access the site, log in from your My Illinois State or go to https://reggienet.illinoisstate.edu/xsl-portal and log in with your ULID and password. Late Policy: All assignments are due on the assigned due date at the time of the class period. Assignments turned in after the due date, but within one week of the due date, will be accepted for half credit. No credit will be given for any assignments turned in after one week of the due date. Incompletes and Withdrawals: No incomplete (I) grades will be issued for the course except in extreme circumstances such as serious illness. If you choose to withdraw from the course, you may do so by January 25 and a withdrawal grade will not be assigned. The last day to withdraw from a course is March 4. Please note that you will receive a withdrawal (WX) grade if you withdraw from the course between January 26 and March 4. Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Those found guilty of academic dishonesty will be penalized in accordance with university policy. Special Needs or Disabilities: Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TTY).

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Week

Topics

Reading

1

Course Introduction; What is a Map? The Mapping Revolution

Tyner Chapters 1 and 3

January 11 – 15

Exercise

Why and How Do We Use Maps?

2 January 18 – 22

3 January 25 – 29

4 February 1–5

Mapping Revolution in the Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Health, and Business

Tyner Chapter 11

Navigation Maps: Getting from Here to There; Terrain Maps: Visualizing the Lay of the Land

Tyner Chapters 10 and 8

Topographic Maps and Cartometrics

Cartometrics: Maps for Measurements

How Do We Make Maps?

5 February 8 – 12

6 February 15 – 19

7 February 22 – 26

8 February 29 March 4

History of Mapmaking; Exam 1, February 12

Tyner Chapter 2; McCleary and Cook Reading

Shrinking and Flattening the Earth: Map Scale, Coordinate Systems, and Map Projections

Tyner Chapters 4 and 5

Visualizing The Geography of Numbers: Thematic Maps

Tyner Chapter 9

When Maps Lie: Ethical Issues in Mapmaking

Monmonier Chapters 1; 3-4; 10-11

9

Map Scale, Coordinate Systems, and Projections

Thematic Mapping

Spring Break, No Classes

March 7 – 11

Related Mapping Fields and Technologies

10 March 14 – 18

11 March 21 – 25

12 March 28 – April 1

Smart Maps: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GIS

Pinpointing Location: Global Positioning System (GPS); Exam 2, March 23

Tyner pp. 102-106

The View from Above: Remote Sensing

Tyner Chapter 6

Emerging Trends in Mapping 4

Remote Sensing

13 April 4–8

14 April 11 – 15

Maps and Web 2.0; Mobile Maps; Maps from the Crowd; Maps and Social Media

Goodchild Reading

Community and Participatory Mapping; 3-D Maps and Virtual Reality

Tyner pp. 97-102

Web Maps

Maps and Society

15 April 18 – 22

Maps, Surveillance, and Privacy

Dobson and Fisher Reading

16

The Power of Maps: Maps for Persuasion and Decision-Making; The Mapping Revolution Revisited

Tyner Chapter 13; Monmonier Chapters 5-7; Dobson Reading

April 25 – 29

Final Exam, TBA, May 2 - 6

The above schedule and topics are tentative, and may be modified. I encourage you to get in touch with me if you have any questions during the semester, I am more than willing to work with you.

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