Geography 360 : Principles of Cartography
In-Class Discussion and Five-Minute Essay
GIS Map Projections - Gaining a Sense of Distortion
Worth 10 Points and a wealth of insight for the lab assignment

NOTE: If you show up for class more than 15 minutes late, you should take the make-up because it is unfair to ask your classmates to bring you up to speed.

Today you will participate in a small group discussion with one or two other classmates about how "map projection selection" is an important part of  "geographic representation".  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 next week.  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. Maps help externalize thoughts and promote discussion about important geographic concerns.  When does it matter what kind of map projection is used as the underlying geometric framework of a dot map depicting population by country? Consider the kinds of distortion that could appear in a map projection.

b. Relationships between/among phenomena are very important when we try to understand issues of sustainability. What can be said about locational relationships between two data sets, each depicted on a map constructed from a different projection?  How do you bring two maps into spatial registration if you want to compare the information on the basis of location?

c. Sustainability is often thought of as a concern that pits population against resources or ecological quality. Discuss whether you agree or disagree, and consider how map representations can influence the nature of the argument to be made.

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 ahead of time 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 own 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 as soon as they are graded.

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 about map projections as evidenced by turning in an essay
4: low-medium acceptability – elucidate concepts underlying map projection selection
6: medium acceptability – elucidate concepts underlying  map projection selection and provide a sustainability example
8: medium-high acceptability – elucidate concepts & evidence underlying map projection selection, & provide a sustainability example
10: high acceptability – elucidate concepts, constraints and evidence about map projection selection, and provide a sustinability example