Course Objectives

To explore cartographic issues that are beyond the scope of GEOG 3531, Map Design and Graphic
Methods. This course will focus on the map user and the needs of map consumers. The aim is to
investigate and develop alternatives to traditional map representations (such as static paper maps) —
predominantly map animation. As geographers, we are interested in "process", and map animation
offers us a method for illustrating this. We will also consider multimedia presentations as a non-
traditional map representation.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for this course include GEOG 3531, STAT 1565, 90 credits completed at UMD, 16 credits in
geography, or graduate student, or permission of instructor.

Textbook

The text for this course is How Maps Work, by Alan MacEachren.

Office

My office is located in 328 Cina Hall. My email address is sfreunds@d.umn.edu.

Course Evaluation

This will be a seminar style course. You will take turns preparing and giving lectures, and lead
discussions. Each student in the class will be responsible to give at least two lectures/lead discussion
based on assigned readings. There will not be any exams—grades will be based on your lectures, class
participation, and on lab. For the lab, the class will design and create a multimedia map animation for
50% of your grade. Grading curve: 100% > A > 85% > B > 75% > C > 65% > D > 55% > F > 0%

The format of this course will be fairly unstructured—the direction the class takes will be shaped by
discussions in class, and by ideas that each of you have for the lab project. The preliminary course
outline on the following page is just that, a (very) preliminary course outline. It outlines a possible path
for the 1st half of the quarter. This is open to change, depending on class interests.

Preliminary Course Outline

Class Topic Reading

Week 1 What Do We Mean By Visualization? Handout
HMW 1-16
HMW 355-360
Week 2 Dynamic Elements

Week 3 Sonic Elements

Week 4 How Do People Understand Maps?
(color, design, message, aesthetics)

Week 5 What Software Is Out There For Animation/
Multimedia/Web Publication?

Week 6 User Interfaces

Week 7 The Efficacy Of Multimedia And Animated Maps

Week 8 Map Ethics

Week 9 What Are Advanced Cartographic Tecniques?

Week 10 TBA (based on previous lecture topics)

Week 11 TBA (based on previous lecture topics)

Week 12 TBA (based on previous lecture topics)

Week 13 TBA (based on previous lecture topics)

Week 14 TBA (based on previous lecture topics)

Week 15 TBA (based on previous lecture topics)

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