G&ES 387: Interactive Cartography

SYLLABUS / ASSIGNMENTS / STUDENTS / EXAMPLES

Syllabus

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY 5500 N. St. Louis, Chicago, IL 60625
This syllabus is at http://www.neiu.edu/~ejhowens/387/387home.htm
Instructor: Professor Erick Howenstine
Wednesdays 7:05-9:45 S-242 Aug. 27 2008 - Dec. 8 2008
Holidays affecting this class: none
Final Exam: 8-9:50 p.m. Th Dec. 11
Office hours: MW 10-12, T 10-11 W 5-6 and by appointment
Phone: (773) 442-5647
E-Mail: E-Howenstine@neiu.edu
Prerequisite: G&ES 377: Computer Cartography
Weekly contact hours: 3
Credit Hours: 3
Graduate Assistant: Nick Ames CONTACT WEBPAGE
Graduate Approved Course (see addendum)
Preparation:If you'd like to get a start on this class in advance, read here

The Internet has become an important tool for cartography because of its accessability and interactive capabilities. In this course students will explore a variety of ways in which maps and geospatial information can be made dynamic and interactive. Although a variety of commercial software is available for this purpose, an emphais is placed on open source methods and free or inexpensive solutions. Advanced tools of Corel Suite (the backbone of G&ES 377:Computer Cartography) will also be used. Exercises include most of the following: animated maps, hyperlinks, rollovers, frames, cartograms, scalable vector graphics, java, html, panoramas, 3D modeling, and vector-layer solutions with a GIS-like interactivity. Students will also become proficient in finding resources and technical help on line.

Readings for this class will be provided either in printed handouts, in software manuals which will be kept in the lab, or on line. Students should expect to purchase at least one third-party manual during the course of study.

Course objectives:

1. To develop skills of web- interactive delivery of geospatial information.
2. To gain a working knowledge of web-based resources for the cartographer.

Requirements:

1. Read the required readings
2. Communicate with instructor and technical assistant promptly, as needed.
3. Complete homework assignments on time
4. Participate in classroom discussion, and present work to class when appropriate
5. Complete two exams.

Evaluation: The following grading scale will be applied to this course. Minor changes may be announced.

A 90-100%
B 80 <90%
C 70 <80%
D 60 <70%
F Less than 60%

SCHEDULE

Because of its fluid area of study the schedule of this course is very likely to change. Meeting numbers below indicate the planned sequence of events and only suggests the pace of the class; some items may be more or less than a single class period. Expect adjustments please; things may be added, omitted, or rearranged.

1: Intro to course

  1. Course Basics: Access, Procedures, Expectations, Grading
  2. Structure the /http directory for this course
  3. Newsgroups and information resources
  4. Basic .html
  5. Photopaint tools
    1. Objects
    2. Masks
    3. Stitching
    4. Transparencies
    5. Resample, sharpen
    6. Thumbnails
    7. Making map series
    8. Animated .gifs

2: Graphical Hyperlinks and Rollovers

3: Frames in .html

4: Java Scripts and Applets

5: Scalable images

6-7: Sketchup

8: Geosphere

9: Flash Animation

Meeting 10: Panorama

11: Catchup

12: Google Maps API

  1. Using Google Maps for your own purposes

13: Cartograms

 

14: Grad Student Presentations

Final Exam: Dec. 11

GRADING

10 Web Page (graded at end) organization, clarity, aesthetic, special effects
10 Animated .gif scale, clarity, timing, text, overall coordination and effectiveness
10 Rollover/link/frames rollover function, frame function, appearance, utility (purpose)
10 Java script utility, function, presentation, zoom resolution and effectiveness
10 Geosphere content, function, presentation, effectiveness
10 Sketchup 1 mastery of basic tools, materials, etc. Create building, animation
10 Sketchup 2 contribute to NEIU project -- coordinate style, detail, complexity
10 Flash functional trigger and event, complexity, overall, utility (purpose
10 Panorama function, seams, clarity, presentation
10 Cartogram function, legend placement, scale, control parameters
10 Google Map Hack function, TBD
-10 Lowest score* dropped this will be done automatically
20 EXAM three hour comprehensive
120 TOTAL  

Comments indicate main basis for grades
Grades will be based on percentage received; divide total received by 120.

RULES

  1. S-242 is open only during class times. Students may use the student labs and lab computers at other times by  following procedures explained in class.
  2. Because of the possibility of viruses please limit exposure as much as possible.  Report problems immediately.
  3. Take no books, equipment, or software outside of 252 without permission. Don't load programs on the lab computers.
  4. Read your e-mail regularly and maintain e-mail contact with instructor. Make sure the instructor has your preferred e-mail address.
  5. Complete your work by deadlines unless otherwise arranged in advance.
  6. Do not put equipment in the lab or classroom at risk of food or drink.
  7. Help one another, but do not do someone else's work.
  8. Back up your work regularly.
  9. Copying other's work and submitting it as one's own, even with slight modifications, will result in a failing gade for the class. Follow the normal Shut Down procedure before turning computers off.  Turn monitors off separately.
  10. Students should keep instructor appraised if, when, and why if they fall behind. No incompletes will be given to students who have procrastinated or fallen behind without notifying the instructor.

Useful and interesting sites: linksfor387htm.

© Erick Howenstine -- Geography & Environmental Studies 2006
Northeastern Illinois University: (773)442-5647 Email: E-Howenstine@neiu.edu