The University of Hong Kong

Department of Geography

GEOG1005 Map Use, Reading and Interpretation (6 credits)

Timetable arrangement: Annual; First Semester
Friday; 11:00 – 12:50; CPD-LG.01

Contact
Prof. Yanjia CAO
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography
Email: yanjiac@hku.hk
Office location: Room 1017, Jockey Club Tower, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu
Lam, Hong Kong.
Office Phone: 391 77451

Mr. Joshua WHEELER – Lead Teaching Assistant

Demonstrator, Department of Geography
Email: joshuajw@hku.hk
Office location: Room 1048, Jockey Club Tower
Book Office Hours: https://book.morgen.so/joshuawheeler

Objectives
A major objective of the course is to provide students with a factual basis for making
intelligent decisions concerning the use and interpretation of maps. A secondary objective is
to stimulate interest in cartographic issues that play a vital role in modern development, such
as Geographic Information Systems, and to enhance computer literacy. It is important that
Geography students understand the principles of map design and how to analyze map
products.

Course Synopsis
Maps have been used for centuries to describe spatial patterns and portray association and
correlation. Recent developments in digital spatial data handling have changed the
environment where maps are used. Maps are no longer confined to the printed format. The
objective of this course is to provide an integrated discussion of standard planimetric maps,
their uses, and the basic skills necessary to take full advantage of these maps. The lectures
will cover fundamental concepts underlying different mapping/analytical techniques, their
strengths, limitations, and application settings. The practicals will be devoted to imparting
essential computer operating skills to visualize spatial data. Coursework assessment
comprises five practical exercises. An examination of multiple-choice and short-answer
questions will be administered during the examination period.

Lecture Topics
• Introduction to maps
• Cartographic representation and map projections
• Map reading and design
• Map interpretation
• Beyond map symbol
Course Assessment
40% Examination • 1.5 hours
60% Coursework • 1 take-home quiz
• 5 individual computer-based practical exercises

Details of coursework components

This course will be composed of lectures and hands-on lab sessions. The lab exercises will
help you implement the cartography theories you learned in lectures, and more importantly,
you will learn how to make maps! There are 5 labs in total, an a take-home quiz at the end of
the semester, and a final exam. The grades are as follows:

Lab Assignments 50% (5 labs, 10% each)

Take-home quiz 10%
Final exam 40%

The worksheet and guidelines on submission of each exercise will be posted on the course
Moodle in due course.

Lecture Overview

Lecture Topic Date Practical

Number
1 Introduction to maps 5th Sep 2025
2 Spatial Data and Map 12th Sep 2025
Characteristics
3 Choropleth maps 19th Sep 2025 Lab 1: Mapping with
ArcGIS Pro
4 Map reading and human visual 26th Sep 2025
5 Data Classification 3rd Oct 2025 Lab 2: Data
Classification
6 Map projections 10th Oct 2025
7 Reading week – no lecture
8 Symbol map 24th Oct 2025 Lab 3: Symbology and
Color
9 Layout alignment 31st Oct 2025
10 Typography and figure-ground 7th Nov 2025 Lab 4: Bivariate
choropleth mapping
and Figure-background
11 Generalization 14th Nov 2025
12 Animation 21st Nov 2025 Lab 5: Story Map
13 VGA and web mapping 28th Nov2025 Take-home quiz
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

1. Understand some principles of map making

2. Know some map design considerations
3. Acquire map reading and interpretation skills
4. Gain word processing, IT, graphics, and design skills

Alignment of Course Learning Outcomes with Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Geography Major Programme Learning Outcomes:

PLO1: Critically analyze the geographical aspects of the relationship between people
and the environment
PLO2: Demonstrate and develop an understanding of how these relationships have
changed with space and over time
PLO3: Identify, collect and utilize primary and secondary data to investigate and
analyze the issues and problems facing people, places and society
PLO4: Integrate, evaluate and communicate information from a variety of
geographical and other sources
PLO5: Participate in promoting social, economic, and environmental sustainability at
the local, regional and global scales
PLO6: Effectively apply a range of transferable skills in academic, professional and
social setting

Course Learning Outcomes Alignment with Programme Learning Course

(CLOs) Outcomes (PLOs) Assessment
PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO PLO Methods
After completing this course, 1 2 3 4 5 6
students would be able to:
1 Understand some √ √ √ In-class quiz,
principles of map making practical
exercises &
exam
2 Know some map design √ √ √ practical
considerations exercises

3 Acquire map reading and √ √ √ In-class quiz,

interpretation skills practical
exercises &
exam
4 Gain word processing, IT, √ √ √ Practical
graphics, and design skills exercises

For alignment with the Programme Learning Outcomes of “Urban Governance Major”,
please refer to the Department website http://geog.hku.hk
Grade Descriptors

Grade Descriptions
A • Excellent foundation knowledge of the subject.
• Demonstrate evidence of original thought, logical thinking, and strong
analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
B • A good foundation knowledge of the subject.
• Demonstrate evidence of critical and analytical thinking and skills. Good
organizational and presentation skills.
• No serious flaws in the answer.
C • Reasonable foundation knowledge of the subject.
• Little evidence of critical thinking or insight, although the answer has
some structure/coherence.
• Mostly descriptive in the work.
• Some flaws in the answer
D • Limited foundation knowledge of the subject. Mainly descriptive with
limited evidence of critical thinking and poor structure/coherence.
• Not well organized in presentation.
• A number of flaws in the answer.
F • No foundation knowledge of the subject.
• Major flaws in the answer.
• Poor organizational and presentation skills.

Recommended Reading List#

• Campbell, J. (2001). Map Use & Analysis. Boston: McGraw-Hill.

• Dodge, M. Kitchin, R.& Perkins, C. Eds. (2011). The Map Reader: Theories of
Mapping Practice and Cartographic Representation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
[Electronic Resource] Chapters 1.2, 1.6, 2.7, 3.4*, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8* (* indicates most
relevant)
• Kimerling, A. Jon, et al. (2016). Map Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation. Eighth
edition. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press

#Additional reading materials will be introduced by the course teacher in class.

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