Final map project
A final map project is the cornerstone assignment of GEOG 248. Focusing on a topic within their area of research/scholarly interest, students will use geospatial data to tell a place-based story through a thoughtfully-designed map. In addition to adhering to general principles of cartographic design, final map projects must reflect some kind of quantitative or qualitative analysis. Very short (~250 word) write-ups will accompany the submission of the final maps.
Your final map projects will be due to Canvas on Monday, December 7 at 11:59pm. We’ll use our final class meeting on Tuesday 12/8 to compile the map projects into the digital exhibition.
Submission schedule
The final map project is spread across a few different deadlines, which are in many cases incorporated as assignments into your regularly scheduled coursework:
- October 15: Project kickoff, submit the topic form (ungraded)
- October 29: Final project proposal (Activity 06)
- November 17: Draft map due (Challenge 04)
- December 7: Final map project due via Canvas
- December 16: Digital exhibition launch (Lab 04)
Requirements
Keyword
Use the geographical keywords below to guide your selection of a topic (these keywords will factor into the organization of the digital exhibition):
| Environments | Concepts | Processes | Representations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape | Place/belonging | Bordering | Figure-ground |
| Earth system | Region | Heterogeneity | Projections |
| Watershed | Gradient | Connectivity | Colors |
| Sustainability | Scale | Narrative | Maps as art |
| Urban systems | Power | Justice | Lettering |
When you are thinking about a keyword, one of the most important considerations is data availability. How hard will it be to procure and process the data you’ll need?
Basemap
For your final map project, you must create a basemap. What is included in your basemap will depend on the kind of story you are telling in your map, but it should probably have some natural features (rivers, mountains, hillshade), some symbolic or political features (neighborhood boundaries), some features of the built environment (parking lots, roads, buildings), and text/labels.
Key datasets
You must utilize at least three source spatial datasets in your final map project. They could be vector or raster.
Analysis
Your final map project should reflect some kind of spatial analysis. It doesn’t have to be extremely complex, but it should yield at least one derivative dataset: something you didn’t directly download, but had to process through geospatial methods.
Text
The final map should include thoughtful use of text. Here, I’m not talking about labels, but interpretive text placed throughout the map. Again, this map should tell a place-based story, so additional text on the map can be used to help tell the story.
Visualization
Your final map should include some kind of non-map visualization (like a chart or other graphic). I’m flexible on what this could be. If you’re unsure of whether something would qualify as a non-map visualization, ask me.
Digital exhibition
Creation of a digital exhibition will constitute the fourth and final lab in this class (as well as the final assignment overall). More details released in Week 11.