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David DiBiase
Department of Geography, 217 Walker Building
Location: Lectures 26 Hosler Building; Labs 208 Walker Build
Times: Lecture M, W 11:15 am; Section 001 Lab M 12.20 pm
"Understanding Geographic Data" by David DiBiase published online at ESRI Virtual Campus http://campus.esri.com. GEOG 121 students receive free course access codes
Mapping involves producing and using geographic data. Geographic data specify the locations and characteristics of people, the objects people create, and the various phenomena of the natural environment with which people interact. Geographic data are produced by several methods, including land surveying, aerial photography and photogrammetry, satellite remote sensing and positioning systems, and social surveys such as those conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. 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. GEOG 121 helps students begin to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that constitute geographic information literacy - the ability to "recognize when information is needed and ... to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information" (ALA 1989).
Geographic information science (GIScience) is a research enterprise concerned with the design, development, and use of geographic information technologies to help institutions and individuals not only respond to, but ideally to predict, environmental and social change. GEOG 121 is an introduction to GIScience that provides students with the technical and contextual knowledge they need to become knowledgeable consumers of geographic data and information produced by government agencies, industry, and popular media. 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.
The course consists of two 50-minute weekly meetings of the entire class (typically 120-160 students per semester at University Park) and one 50-minute weekly meeting of laboratory sections composed of not more than 24 students each. Meetings of the entire class include instructor presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities. Laboratory sessions include workshops in which student leadership teams (under the supervision of graduate teaching assistants and undergraduate teaching interns) guide peers through the mastery of skills and concepts targeted in six project assignments. Most project assignments culminate in reports that students "publish" in personalized e-portfolios.
Students who excel in GEOG 121 are able to:
GEOG 121 students earn grades that reflect performance on two criteria: 1) their mastery of learning objectives related to course content, and 2) their contribution to the class learning environment. Opportunities to demonstrate mastery of learning objectives include:
A project leadership assignment provides an opportunity for students to contribute to a learning environment in which students share responsibility for learning with the instructional team.
Course grades are assigned according to the total achievement points that students earn through the completeness, quality, and timeliness of the assignments they complete. The course grading scale is:
| Total Points Earned | Course Grade |
|---|---|
| 95 or more | A (Exceptional Achievement) |
| 92.5 to 94.9 | A- |
| 90.0 to 92.4 | B+ |
| 85.0 to 89.9 | B (Extensive achievement) |
| 82.5 to 84.0 | B- |
| 80.0 to 82.4 | C+ |
| 70.0 to 79.9 | C (Acceptable achievement) |
| 60.0 to 69.9 | D (Minimal achievement) |
| 59.9 or less | F (Inadequate achievement) |
Opportunities to earn achievement points include both required and optional assignments. Students can earn up to 79 points by completing required assignments. They can earn up to 40 additional points are available by completing optional projects. Varied options enable students to select activities that match their interests and abilities.
| Required Assignments | Possible Points |
|---|---|
| Four in-class activities | 4 points |
| Three midterm essay examinations | 15 points (5 points each) |
| Final essay | 30 points |
| Project leadership assignment | 30 points (5 point bonuses for teams that volunteer to go first) |
| Optional Assignments | Possible Points |
| Map Projections and Coordinates Web Publishing project |
5 points |
| GPS project | 5 points (Option A) 10 points (Option B) |
| National Map Data Download project | 5 points |
| Landsat Data Search project | 5 points |
| Census Thematic Mapping project | 5 points |
| TIGER Geocoding project | 5 points |
Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting other's work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other student's papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include forfeiture of credit for an assignment or course failure.
The academic integrity policy of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (which includes the Department of Geography) is published at http://www.ems.psu.edu/students/integrity/tables.html.