Ola Ahlqvist, ahlqvist.1@osu.edu
Office
phone: 247-7997
Office address: 1049 Derby Hall, 154 N Oval
Mall
Office hours: Wednesdays 1-3 PM, or by appointment, or drop-in
(my door is always open when I am in but I reserve the right to be
busy)
The powerful language of maps visually shows trends, and patterns that are not apparent in other data presentations; Corporations, government, media, and researchers use maps and geographic information technology to understand and visualize data on for example natural resources, flows of trade, historical events, property management, and diseases. We will explore what makes spatial information special, how and why maps is such a powerful tool to understand an increasingly complex world, and how modern technology is currently transforming the art and science of map making. In hands-on laboratory exercises and discussions we will look at, and make, maps of global and regional trends in climate, population, and economy.
Required:
The New York Times, or other newspaper with good maps and graphics in their coverage of current events.
You will be asked to present to the class and discuss the design of maps on current events. This activity will be ongoing throughout the quarter. Free copies of NYT are available to students in the residence halls and student discounted personal subscriptions run ~$10/month (www.nytimes.com/student).
Additional required readings will be provided in Carmen
Week 1 Why is spatial special? Introduction to geographic information
Week 2 Mapping through the ages
Week 3 The earth moves: A global perspective
Week 4 Hot and cold: weather patterns and what makes a climate
Week 5 All roads lead to Rome: Patterns of population and growth over 2000 years
Week 6 Crossing the line: the nature and significance of political boundaries
Week 7 Wheres Wall Street? The wealth of nations and their connections
Week 8 Water world: In the eye of the storm
Week 9 The new Wiki cartography
Week 10 What can maps do for us? Personally selected topic related to the course material
The most up to date schedule will always be posted on Carmen under Course info. Any significant changes to the schedule will be announced well in advance.
Mondays and Wednesdays 09:00 AM — 10:18 AM in 1116 Derby Hall.
Class material such as lecture notes, worksheets, handouts will be made available through Carmen under the heading Lectures.
During lectures we will often spend some time to work with sample problems and discuss practical applications. These activities are meant to build a deeper understanding of the subject matter but it also relies heavily on your active participation. You will also sometimes have work to prepare before classes or other types of homework assignments.
Labs are in 0140 Derby Hall and follow directly after the lectures Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30 AM — 11:18 AM. Details on the labs will be posted on Carmen under the Labs heading
Overall credits for the course are given approximately as follows:
|
Lab Assignments |
~50% |
|
In-class work & Homework |
~25% |
|
Final examination |
~25% |
The credits given to each course component reflects my notion that I can only facilitate for you to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge. Only you can learn what we want you to. Consequently, assessments relate mainly to your own learning, such as demonstrating practical use of the covered topic matter.
Final letter grades will be assigned based on how many percent of total points available you have earned.
92.5
<= A
90.0 <= A- < 92.5
87.5 <= B+ < 90.0
82.5
<= B < 87.5
80.0 <= B- < 82.5
77.5 <= C+ <
80.0
70.0 <= C < 77.5
60.0 <= D < 70.0
F <
60.0
All course work (labs, homework, et c.) are expected by the due date. A late penalty of at least 10 percentage units will be taken off each day after the due date.
If you have a genuine reason (known medical condition, a pile-up of due assignments on other courses, ROTC, athletics teams, job interview, religious obligations etc.) for being unable to complete work on time, then some flexibility is possible. However, if in my judgment you could reasonably have let me know beforehand that there would likely be a delay, then a late penalty will still be imposed if I don't hear from you until after the deadline has passed. For unforeseeable problems, I can be more flexible.
If there are ongoing medical, personal, or other issues that are likely to affect your work all semester, then please arrange to see me to discuss the situation.
Lab Assignments: You are welcome to discuss the labs amongst yourselves, in fact this is encouraged, but the final product you hand in must be your own work (see Academic Integrity Policy below). Details of the lab assignments will be posted on the course web site.
In-class work & Homework: Most classes have time allotted for discussions, in-class work and other activities. Your contribution in these and in class generally, will be noted, and used to determine part of your final grade, just showing up is not enough! Obviously, you will receive no credit for in-class work if you are not present.
During the quarter, there will be several homework assignments. The main purpose of the homework is to provide an opportunity to learn how to apply the things we cover during the lectures. Homework will be assigned during class, and usually due by the next class period. If you are having difficulty with assignments you should get help, from fellow students or from me. Whatever you do, ask someone!
Map presentations: You will be asked to present to the class and discuss maps on current events. This activity will be ongoing throughout the quarter.
Exam: There will a continuous evaluation through lab, homework and in-class assignments. There will be no final exam; instead an individual essay will assess your ability to apply what you have learned in a practical situation. The written essay should be in the form of a White Paper. This is a type of document that is commonly used to introduce ideas, technology, or products to key-decision makers. It should address some topic of your choosing but it has to relate and include substantial material and ideas from the course. Separate instructions on this assignment will be handed out later in the quarter.
There will be no make-up exams or labs except for documented medical or family emergencies.
Academic integrity is essential to maintaining an environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and other educational and scholarly activities. Thus, The Ohio State University and the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM) expect that all students have read and understand the University’s Code of Student Conduct, and that all students will complete all academic and scholarly assignments with fairness and honesty. Students must recognize that failure to follow the rules and guidelines established in the University’s Code of Student Conduct and this syllabus may constitute “Academic Misconduct.”
The
Ohio State University’s
Code
of Student Conduct
(Section 3335-23-04) defines academic misconduct as: “Any
activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the
University, or subvert the educational process.” Examples of
academic misconduct include (but are not limited to) plagiarism,
collusion (unauthorized collaboration), copying the work of another
student, and possession of unauthorized materials during an
examination. Ignorance of the University’s Code
of Student Conduct
is never considered an “excuse” for academic misconduct,
so I recommend that you review the Code of Student Conduct and,
specifically, the sections dealing with academic misconduct.
What
this really means is:
If I suspect that a student has committed academic misconduct in this
course, I
am obligated
by University Rules to report my suspicions to the Committee on
Academic Misconduct. If COAM determines that you have violated the
University’s Code
of Student Conduct
(i.e., committed academic misconduct), the sanctions for the
misconduct could include a failing grade in this course and
suspension or dismissal from the University. Please do not put
yourself in that situation.
If you have any questions about the above policy or what constitutes academic misconduct in this course, please contact me.
Other sources of information on academic misconduct (integrity) can be found on the Committee on Academic Misconduct web pages (oaa.osu.edu/coam/home.html)
Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated, and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/.