PrintGeog 160: Welcome to Mapping Our Changing World, Summer 2020
Instructor
Ellie Nasr Azadani serves as lead instructor of GEOG 160 during the Summer 2020 term
Please contact me through Canvas Inbox with any questions.
Course Overview
(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements
Mapping involves producing and using geographic data. Geographic data specify the locations and characteristics of people and objects both natural and anthropogenic in nature. Geographic data are produced by several methods, including land surveying, aerial photography and photogrammetry, satellite remote sensing and positioning systems, social surveys such as those conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, and by an increasing array of personalized sources (e.g., cell phone GPS). Geographic information systems (GIS) and related technologies are used to turn data into maps, tables, and other kinds of information people need to make informed decisions. In a rapidly changing world, detailed, up-to-date geographic data are indispensable for governance, for commerce, and for research intended to improve our understanding of social and environmental systems.
Geographic information science (GIScience) is a research enterprise concerned with the design, development, and use of geographic information technologies (sometimes also called geospatial technologies) to help institutions and individuals not only respond to, but, ideally, to predict environmental and social change. The course is intended to be of value not only to future specialists in the geographic information enterprise but also to every student who is concerned with social and environmental research and policy-making.
Course Objectives & Outcomes
The overall goals of GEOG 160 are that students will:
- gain a broad perspective on geographic information science and related technologies;
- be able to identify the kind(s) of geographic information needed for a particular task, to determine whether needed data are available, to use relevant technologies to acquire, process, and assess the quality of the data if available, and to interpret and appraise maps of the data critically;
- be prepared for more advanced study of GIS, remote sensing, and cartography;
- gain experience with asynchronous online learning.
Learning Outcome
Fulfilling these objectives should result in students becoming knowledgeable and critical consumers of geographic data and information produced by government agencies, industry, and popular media.
Course Expectations (your responsibilities)
The Department of Geography offers two versions of GEOG 160: one in the classroom, the other on the Web. The Web version consists of a required orientation; a free, online course text that consists of nine lessons; eight graded quizzes; two graded projects and 3 graded mini-projects; and participation in discussion. Everything takes place online. All of the material you will need is within the University’s online course management system, Canvas.
Students never have to log into the class at any particular time or place. Students are expected to keep pace with the assignment calendar posted in Canvas. Students communicate with instructors and with fellow students within Canvas using forums/discussions and email from within Canvas using the Conversations tool. They upload project reports by submitting an assignment in Canvas. Depending on their prior experience and comfort level with desktop computing and Web publishing, students need to devote about 6 or 7 hours of effort per week over the 15-week course. Working on course assignments sporadically, or not at all, will earn poor or failing grades. As is often the case in e-learning, the Web version is more demanding than the classroom version of the course.
Required Course Materials
To participate in GEOG 160 as a registered student you need high-speed access to the Internet, and access to Penn State's course management system, Canvas. The course text is open to anyone with Internet access. Access to Canvas requires a Penn State computing account, which registered students acquire by paying an annual technology fee. Students may be asked to download and install free software applications for mapping. No additional materials or proprietary software or data are required for GEOG160.
Using the Library
Many of Penn State's library resources can be utilized from a distance. Students can...
- access electronic databases, and even full-text articles, from the University Libraries website(link is external);
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep...or even your desktop;
- access materials that your instructor has put on Electronic Reserve;
- talk to reference librarians in real time using the "Virtual Reference Service."
Access to these services is available under the Library Resources tab in Canvas.
Technical Requirements and Help
Minimum technical requirements for this course are as follows (Required for your own computer):
- Robust Internet Connection
- Internet Browser Settings: Cookies, Java, and JavaScript MUST be enabled
Assignments and Grades
Detailed descriptions for each of these requirements are given on the Canvas site. Please see those descriptions or the course calendar for the appropriate deadlines, and guidelines for submissions!
8 Graded Chapter Quizzes (120 pts)
Quizzes are open-book, multiple-choice format, and provide feedback immediately after submission. The purpose of these quizzes is to help you self-assess your understanding of the course text. Many quiz questions also challenge students' ability to think beyond what they've read.
Starting with Chapter 2, each chapter includes one cumulative graded quiz, worth 15 points each (with a mix of 1 and 2 point questions, depending on the chapter). The graded quizzes are open-book format and can only be submitted once. Once you submit the graded quiz, the grade you receive on it is final. You are welcome to open, view, and even print quizzes, and to consult them while reading the text. While throughout the course you are free to collaborate with classmates, please remember: if you are not able to score well on the graded quizzes on your own, you will probably earn a poor score on the projects and a disappointing grade for the course.
3 Mini-Projects (150 pts)
In conjunction with weekly chapters, registered students are assigned three graded mini-projects (10%, or 50 points each). Projects require you to conduct research (primarily via the Web), make maps, perform tasks, and demonstrate your ability to apply concepts discussed in the course text. Details on required forms of submission for each mini-project will be contained in the project instructions. In all cases, some components of the project will require an assignment submission in Canvas; whether you have met the project deadline will be determined by submitting the assignment on time and (in some cases) the time of posts to a discussion forum. Teaching assistants provide detailed individual critiques and itemized scores in response to every student report.
Depending on your previous experience and comfort level with computing, you'll find projects to be moderately to highly challenging. The key to success is to pace yourself, pay close attention to the grading criteria/rubric, and take time to write at a professional level. Due dates appear in the course Assignments list in Canvas as well as in the calendar.
2 Projects (200 pts)
Two larger projects will be assigned that count for 40% of your final grade (worth 100 points each). These projects also require you to conduct research (primarily via the Web) and prepare a report to demonstrate your ability to apply concepts discussed in the course text. Details on required forms of submission for projects will be contained in the project instructions. In all cases, some components of the project will require a submission to Canvas; whether you have met the project deadline will be determined by submitting your project as an assignment within Canvas on time and (in some cases) the time of posts to a discussion forum.
We expect submissions for all projects to be original. You may build upon ideas, words and illustrations produced by others, but you must generate original results and put ideas into your own words (or quote directly, when necessary). It is essential to cite and provide references for your sources (not only for quotes but for sources of ideas that you put into your own words). Reports that contain unacknowledged contributions by others are considered to be plagiarized. We use the plagiarism detection service Turnitin.com to evaluate the originality of students' work. Detailed guidelines about how to prepare an original report are included in the Academic Integrity Guide.
Participation in focused discussions (30 pts)
The final component of your grade will be based upon your participation in structured online discussions. There is a general discussion forum available throughout the course, and we encourage you to use those to ask questions, provide answers to other students, and make relevant observations (e.g., about interesting maps you see online that fit with what you have read about). In addition to this ungraded forum, there will be 5 discussion forums set up during the semester that provide a focused discussion topic that you are expected to address. At a minimum, for each, you are required to make at least one relevant post about the topic or a relevant follow up on someone else’s post. You can earn up to 5 points per discussion assignment.
Assignment Due Dates
Each graded quiz has a primary due date/time and a late due/date time. Quizzes will not be available after the second of these (a zero will be assigned for quizzes not submitted). For each quiz submitted on or before the primary due date/time, 1 timeliness bonus point will be added to your overall score (thus up to 8 points total).
Discussion contributions must be submitted by the due date/time to receive full credit. Discussions will remain open for 1 week beyond the deadline; 1 point will be deducted for late contributions during that period. No contributions will be allowed beyond the 1 week late window.
Project due dates are announced at the beginning of the course and are enforced. "Timeliness" points are awarded as a substantial part of each project score. Mini-projects submitted after the published due dates will forfeit all timeliness points. Mini Projects and Project 1 will be accepted for credit (minus timeliness points) until two weeks after the due date. Beyond that time, a project will receive zero points. For Project 2, Late projects will be accepted up to 24 hours late, but not after that. Any project submitted within the 24-hour late window loses 10 (out of 100) points. Any project that is more than 24 hours late receives a zero.
Grading Policy
Course grades are awarded on the basis of weighted percentages of assignment points earned within each category (chapter assignments, quizzes, projects, and participation). There is no final exam for this course. At the conclusion of the course, your instructor calculates the percentages of possible points you earned in each component of the course. Finally, letter grades are awarded based on the breakdown in the table below. Note: Geography majors need to earn at least a ‘C’ grade in Geog 160.
| A | 95-100% |
|---|---|
| A- | 90-94.9% |
| B+ | 85-89.9% |
| B | 81-84.9% |
| B- | 78-80.9% |
| C+ | 75-77.9% |
| C | 70-74.9% |
| D | 60-69.9% |
| F | <60% |
Geog 160 Course Schedule
Printable Schedule
Check out the schedule via the Calendar in Canvas. The Calendar in Canvas will have specific lesson time frames and assignment due dates. Here are the topics and objectives for each of the nine chapters of the online textbook and the course orientation.
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Course Policies
Attendance/Online Participation Policy
Due to the online and flexible nature of the course, generally, no excuses will be accepted for late work. There is plenty of time to plan ahead to finish projects on time. You are responsible for managing your coursework and your class/extracurricular schedule to allow yourself time to complete your assignments before they are due. We encourage you not to wait until the last minute to start working on projects.
The course abides by the Penn State Class Attendance Policy 42-27(link is external) and Attendance Policy E-11(link is external). Please also see the Illness Verification Policy(link is external) and the Religious Observance Policy(link is external). Students who miss project turn-ins for legitimate reasons will be given a reasonable opportunity to make up missed work. Students are not required to secure the signature of medical personnel in the case of illness or injury; the University Health Center will not provide medical verification for minor illnesses or injuries. Other legitimate reasons for missing project deadlines include religious observance, family emergencies, and regularly scheduled university-approved curricular or extracurricular activities. Students participating in University-approved activities should submit to the instructor a Class Absence Form available from the Registrar’s Office(link is external), at least one week prior to the activity. (Note: This form is currently only available online as a PDF).
Use of Trade Names
When trade names are used, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, of The Pennsylvania State University, is implied.
Technical Requirements
For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements(link is external) page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk(link is external).
Internet Connection
Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.
In EMS, inclusivity is one of our core values. We prioritize fostering a diverse and equitable community where each member knows they belong here and is inspired to succeed. We encourage everyone in our EMS community to be actively engaged in fostering this ideal, and all members of this class should contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and interact with civility. Our commitment to inclusivity aligns with Penn State’s values and policies.
To learn more, visit EMS Educational Equity(link is external). Here, you will find information about the EMS ALLWE initiative, the Rainbow EMS Network, Anti-Racism, active ally-ship, bystander intervention, and more. The site also has resources for where to turn if you need assistance and links to University references. Also, contact your EMS department’s Associate Head for DEI for more information about department initiatives.
Disclaimer
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes to the syllabus shall be given to you in written (paper or electronic) form.