it’s basically looking for a map and talk about the map relates to today’s event such as election or any disasters. the detailed instruction is in the file. GEOG 6N: Map Critique Assignment
In this assignment, you’ll take everything you’ve learned about maps so far and analyze the way those things apply to a map of your own choosing.
Find a map that’s interesting to you and describes some event or phenomenon happening in the world today. I encourage you to search for current events online to obtain this map. Events from the past several years such as elections or maps of ongoing political turmoil are also appropriate for this assignment.
Maps that are off limits:
The following maps are off limits for this project:
?Any map we have looked at in the class lectures or labs
?Any online general reference map, such as Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, OpenStreetMap, etc. You should choose a thematic map for this exercise that conveys some message about a current event or phenomenon.
The following maps require caution:
?Interactive online maps are okay if you include a working URL with your report. If you do not include a working URL for an interactive map for us to use when grading your work you will receive a failing grade for this assignment.
Get approval of the map you want to critique from your TA, then take a screenshot or scan of the map and paste it at the top of your report along with a link to the map if it was found online. Then create a 500 word essay (NO LONGER than 500 words) that addresses the following points:
?What is the map’s message and audience?
oDescribe who produced this map, where it was published, and the date of publication (if known). If the map is on the web, provide the URL (web address).
oDescribe the map’s intended message and audience. Briefly summarize why and how you feel this map conveys (or fails to convey) this message with this audience. You will get into the details below.
?What data is used in the map?
oDescribe which data layers are used to convey the map’s theme, or purpose, and which are used as background or reference information.
oWhere do you think the cartographers obtained the data for the map? Did they get it from someone else or create it themselves? What cost or challenges (if any) would there be in collecting the data?
oComment on the use of vector vs. raster data in the map. Which one(s) does the map use, and why?
?What design choices does the map maker use in order to convey the message?
oDiscuss how selection, simplification, classification and symbolization are used (or misused) in an attempt to convey the message of the map.
?If data is put into different classes, explain your best guess of how the different class breaks were determined.
?Comment on how other symbols are constructed to convey certain variables (eg, “the point size represents dollars spent at the store, while the color represents whether it is a grocery store or mini mart”).
?Comment on what the map does NOT show and whether this helps or hurts the message of the map. What data might have been filtered out to make this map?
oCan we tell anything about the map projection used? Discuss whether different map projections would make any difference in this map.
oWhich of the above cartographic choices are most beneficial to the map’s purpose, and why?
oSummarize the characteristics of the map that detract from the message and suggest specific ways that you would improve them.
To receive full credit, make sure:
?You’ve avoided spelling and grammar errors
?Your sentences and ideas flow together logically
?Your arguments are specific and you provide evidence for the claims you make
oFor example, don’t just say, “The colors are confusing.” Say, “The map maker uses more colors than necessary to symbolize the income layer, employing a rainbow color ramp that overwhelms the map readers and requires them to scrutinize the legend. The same message could have been depicted with a simple sequential color ramp going from light green to dark green.”
Grading Rubric
Your map critique will be graded using the following rubric (note that it uses three quality components for each major essay portion):
Quality (map audience critique) the degree to which your answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
0 None of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
1 Only a few answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
2 Some of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
3 Most of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
4 All answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
Quality (map data critique) the degree to which your answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
0 None of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
1 Only a few answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
2 Some of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
3 Most of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
4 All answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
Quality (map design critique) the degree to which your answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
0 None of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
1 Only a few answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
2 Some of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
3 Most of the answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
4 All answers are carefully thought and well-reasoned
Clarity the degree to which your map critique essay is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
0 The report is impossible to read
1 A large number of clarity issues are present
2 A fair number of clarity issues are present
3 A small number of clarity issues are present
4 The report has no clarity issues and is easy to read
Completeness the degree to which your map critique essay contains all of the required elements as directed in the assignment
0 None of the required elements were included
1 Only a few of the required elements were included
2 Some of the required elements were included
3 Most of the required elements were included
4 All of the required elements were included
