Geography 360 : Principles of Cartography
In-Class Discussion and Five-Minute Essay
Sustainability Indicators and Choropleth Map Design
Worth 10 Points and a wealth of insight for the lab assignment

Today you will participate in a small group discussion with one or two other classmates about how choropleth map design is an important part of  geographic representation of sustainability indicators.  We want you to make use of the lecture and lab learning experiences.  If you so choose, the five-minute essay you write as part of this activity, as well as the comments you receive can be used to help you prepare the write-up for the lab assignment that is due soon.  To help with the discussion, we would like you to use the following steps as a guideline.

1. Clarify with each other the following three questions.

a. What information do we gain by classifying attribute data, although the attribute data might be measured at a ratio level?  How does data classification simultaneously create and destroy the opportunity to gain information?

b. Which of the four data classification techniques is the better technique to use for a map of the human development index (or one of its components)?  Why?

c. Visual constrast, visual balance, and figure-ground are all important aspects of choropleth map design.  How can they be used to express a visual hierarchy for a choropleth map of the human development index (or one of its components)? How is the visual hierarchy on the HDI map related to your intellectual hierarchy on the map?

2. Write your name on a clean sheet of paper.  Writing on that paper, take five minutes to respond to one of the questions.  You can agree with the others in your group for all of you to answer the same question; or, each can do a different one - group choice.  Don’t spend too much time deciding.  Think of the advantages and disadvantages of each option – and maybe decide after you have read all of these instructions.

3. Trade papers in a multiple-way exchange in your group - so no one has their own essay.

4. Write your name below the original author’s name and write “written comment” next to your name.  Comment in written form on the answer your classmate provided in the essay.  Write directly on their paper.  Remember to be cordial and constructive.  Make sure you clarify which question your classmate answered.

5. Exchange papers again so that you have an opportunity to read your classmate’s essay as well as your other classmate’s comments to that essay.  Write your name on the paper and write “verbal comments” next to your name.  Each student taking a turn (if no one volunteers then start in alphabetical order by last name), comment verbally on the original essay as well as the written comment(s) on the essay.  Do you agree or not with the interpretation? You can ask for clarification.  How might you see the topic in the same or different way than your classmates?

6. Return the essay to the original author. You may edit your essay to improve your answer before you turn it in.
If you use a second sheet of paper, make sure your name is on both.

7. Turn in your essay.  As mentioned above, this essay, and now the comments, should help you think through and respond to the questions in the Lab Assignment.  We will hand back the essays on Monday.

Find below the rubric your instructors will use to evaluate your essays (10 points).
0 : unacceptable – no show, and no medical excuse or other form of absence not approved in advance
2 : low acceptability – participate in discussion aboout choropleth map design
4: low-medium acceptability – elucidate concepts underlying choropleth map design
6: medium acceptability – elucidate concepts underlying  choropleth map design and provide an example
8: medium-high acceptability – elucidate concepts & evidence underlying choropleth map design; provide example
10: high acceptability – elucidate concepts, constraints and evidence about choropleth map design; provide examples