Courses

I briefly describe and provide the syllabi for the courses I have lectured at the University of Wisconsin–Madison below. I taught and redesigned Geography 572 in 2017. I share a few additional materials that I created as well as my assigned readings for 572. I would love any feedback!

Geography 170: Our Digial Globe


Geography 170 is an introduction to Geographic Information Science (GIScience). It guides you to explore the tools and technologies for acquiring, analyzing, managing, and displaying geographic information. This course introduces a variety of geospatial technologies and tools, including geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), remote sensing (RS), spatial analysis, and cartography (the science and art of mapmaking). Although Geography 170 is a non-specialist course, it provides a foundation for various upper-level courses which are specifically about GIS, GPS, RS, Cartography and Web-animated cartography.

Syllabus

Online Geography 370: Introduction to Cartography


Geography 370 provides a general introduction to Cartography, broadly defined as the art, science, and ethics of mapmaking and map use. G370—and the UW Cartography curriculum generally—focuses upon the design of maps, drawing from research and practice on graphic design, information visualization, and semiotics, perspectives that you are unlikely to receive in other GIS courses. Specifically, G370 emphasizes mapmaking over map use (compared to G170) and print mapping over web-based or interactive mapping (compared to G572 and G575, respectively). G370 is divided into two components: lectures and lab.

Syllabus | Schedule

Course Materials



Geography 370: Introduction to Cartography


Geography 370 provides a general introduction to Cartography, broadly defined as the art, science, and ethics of mapmaking and map use. G370—and the UW Cartography curriculum generally—focuses upon the design of maps, drawing from research and practice on graphic design, information visualization, and semiotics, perspectives that you are unlikely to receive in other GIS courses. Specifically, G370 emphasizes mapmaking over map use (compared to G170) and print mapping over web-based or interactive mapping (compared to G572 and G575, respectively). G370 is divided into two components: lectures and lab.

Syllabus | Schedule

Examples of Student Work



Geography 572: Graphic Design in Cartography


Geography 572 provides an in-depth examination of advanced themes and topics in cartographic design. G572 is an extension of the G370 course, but with a focus on cartographic design for the web rather than print. This course explores the intersections of cartographic design with graphic design, web design, and the digital humanities. Specifically, G572 integrates theory (new ways of critically examining cartography) and practice (cartographic implementation) emphasizing the design of web delivered static maps, rather than the design of interfaces for manipulating these maps. G572 is divided into two components: lectures and lab.

Syllabus | Schedule

Course Materials and Blog