WORLD OF MAPS

Dr. Rudy Banerjee, PhD, MSU&RP, B.Arch 

Office: Cavanaugh Hall, Room# 207D 

Phone: 510-684-0096 (leave a message with a return phone number) 

Email: rbanerje@iupui.edu (This is by far the best way to contact me) 

Office Hours: 1:30-2:30 PM WEDNESDAYS or by appointment 

 

Before I start: 

About Geography … (from Dr. Nate Gabriel, Rutgers U)  

 

 

“The discipline of Geography is about much more than maps. In essence, it is the study of space, 

of spatial relationships among people and things, including humans’ relationships to each other, 

our planet, cities, outer space, and the other spaces we inhabit and influence. Thus, we need to be 

careful about conflating geography with maps. Instead, students should think of maps as an 

interest of geographers because maps are among the most common representations of spatial 

relationships. This class, thus, is ostensibly about maps, but is really about the social and spatial 

relationships that underpin the creation and use of maps, and the consequences of “mapping 

assemblages.” 

 

G300: WORLD OF MAPS 

 
Objective: Geography is a discipline with many well recognized and established sub-fields which over time have developed highly specialized techniques pivoting on 2 dimensional graphical outputs, especially MAPS. The objective of this course is to provide an overview of the world of maps, to introduce the characteristics of geographic research problems and commonly adopted methodologies and provide experience with specific techniques. 

This course addresses to some degree all the Principles of Undergraduate Learning, but particularly core communication skills (oral and written), critical thinking, the integration and application of knowledge, and the understanding of society and culture (through independent research projects). This course, in combination with G311 (Research Methods in Geography) and G338 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, provides the foundation for development of intellectual depth and adaptiveness in the realm of geographic inquiry using maps. 

Text: A series of readings may be provided for some weeks. It is important that you keep up to date with these readings as we will discuss the material in class and a portion of your grade (participation) will be assigned based on the extent to which you contribute to such discussions. 

Textbook: 

• TBA 

Alt Textbook (only for Grad Students) 

• TBA 

Grades will be based on 16 intensive assignments and a Final Project. NO Exams. 

 
Lecture & Lab Topics (listed by week of the semester) 

WEEK#	TOPIC	TIMELINE
1	Introduction: What is a Map?  A History of Mapping: Ancient, medieval and colonialism maps  Maps and Nationalism  Deconstructing the Map – Semiotics, Hermeneutics, Deconstruction & Post Structuralism  The Development of Modern Mapping  Digital Mapping: Geographic Information Science/Systems (GIS)  The Future of Mapping (… a surprise here?)	Ex1&2:   Make a map without computers;  Intro to GIS software – make a Digital map    Making the Future Maps …
2	The Science behind Maps  Scientific Communication: Thinking about data  Intro to Science of Networks	Ex3&4: Exploring Adjacencies, Topologies, Markov processes, Random Walks in Maps
3	Data Collection in Geography and Environmental Studies: Overview   Database Design, Queries etc. for Maps (DBMS, SQL, Python)	Ex5&6: From bits & bytes to information & knowledge – making digital maps from scratch
4	Boundaries and Categories: Census and Gerrymandering	Ex7&8: Gerrymandering – same votes, different results!
5	Map as a Panopticon: The present & Future Surveillance State  Centralized Information – Power from Networks	Ex9&10: Data and Surveillance (Drones, networks)
6	Reliability and Validity   Statistical Mapping – Making Space-time Map: Diffusion  Disease Mapping	Ex11&12: Bayesian Mapping – The Cutting Edge in Space-time Statistics
7	A Network of Neighborhoods: AI, Real-Time Simulation, and Emerging Systems  Algorithmic Zoning for Prosocial Behaviors; Public Space	Ex 13&14: Zoning for good! Transportation Equity
8	Location Science: Equity, Efficiency & Profit  FINAL PROJECT (tentative)	Ex 15&16: Finding efficient vs profitable vs equitable locations  Discussions & Student  Presentations
FINAL PROJECT DUE (tentative)