Introduction to the Course

The world of information is massive, complex, dynamic and multi-dimensional. The synthesis of information visually, coherently and accurately in the form of often flat, static graphs and charts, maps, photos, videos, and text is challenging - yet vital in comprehending our understanding of the world we live in.

In the first half of this course, students will learn about visual communication, perception and cognition; and map reading, analysis and interpretation activities and tasks. With this background, students will then be able to understand effective cartographic communication, and translate this into the design of cartographic and other visual products.

In the second half of this course, students will explore different types of mapping methods and datasets including: visualizing historical data; first nations and community mapping procedures; web based static and dynamic maps; spatial literacy (teaching mapping and spatial concepts to children); open source and volunteer geographic information (VGI) and the future of 'cartography'.