Class Info/Sylabus

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  WEEKLY READINGS

• Introduction to Urban Geography using GIS:   Text, Chapters 1, 2, 3

• Chapter 4:  The Internal Structure of Cities

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ASSIGNMENTS and EXERCISES

Beginning this week, MOST assignments and exercises will be those found at the ends of chapters in Greene and Pick, Exploring the Urban Community: A GIS Approach, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. So, unless othewise indicated, when a text chapter is assigned as the week's reading, the accompanying exercise is likewise assigned. Not all chapters will require the exercise turned in for 'grading purposes,' but you are encouraged to do ALL the exercises -- as certain skills will be assumed and required to complete future tasks.  Afterall, the more you Use GIS, the more you'll learn and the better prepared for the marketplace.

In addition to the 'canned exercises' (which if you follow instructions you can most likely accomplish), a few graded exercises will be assigned that require analyses similar to those practiced, but using new and different geodata. These so-called "Performance Exercises" will be announced ahead of time and will be designed for you to complete during class time.

• Exercise -- Chapter Four:  The Internal Structure of Cities

• NOW DUE! Exercise Number Two:  Publically Available Data for YOUR CITY
• SOURCES -- GeoData:
• GIS DATA DEPOT
• GEOBlog
• Geography Network
• Geodata.gov
• ESRI
• Topo Data
• Stanford Library Links

• Combining Sources

• Exercise Number One:  GIS on the INTERNET

START
• Choose a Small to Medium-sized City (LA or Orange County)
• Find the city's OFFICIAL Website
• IF your choice does NOT have a website, Make Note of that Fact and return to START
• Search for Links to the city's Mapping and/or Geographic Information System
• IF your choice does NOT have any maps or GIS links on the website, Make Note of that Fact and return to START
• Record the URL of what appears to be the Main Page for the Map/GIS Department for the City
THEN
• Where is mapping/GIS done within the City?  Its own department?  Within another city department?  Several departments? Is there a contact person?
• What kinds of Map/GIS products are available over the internet?  Static maps?  Interactive Maps? Custom Maps or Searches?
• What LAYERS can you identify as part of the City's GIS?
• Are there MetaData available?  Dates, projections, accuracy, sources .. etc.?
• Does the City have Aerial Photography?  Is it tied to a common coordinate system?  What is the spatial resolution?
• Does the website contain useful map information for the public?  Is it easy to access and use?
BE PREPARED
• To show the rest of the class the site and summarize your findings.
• To critique the site -- acknowledging what you learned and what you think could be better.