IEEE VIS 2024 Content: Developing a Robust Cartography Curriculum to Train the Professional Cartographer

Developing a Robust Cartography Curriculum to Train the Professional Cartographer

Jonathan Nelson - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States

P. William Limpisathian - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States

Robert Roth - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States

Screen-reader Accessible PDF

Room: Esplanade Suites I + II + III

2024-10-13T13:10:00ZGMT-0600Change your timezone on the schedule page
2024-10-13T13:10:00Z
Exemplar figure, described by caption below
Developing and maintaining a robust cartography curriculum is challenging yet essential for meeting the needs of the professional cartographer. The cartography curriculum at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024-25) is organized within a conceptual framework, consisting of an orthogonal pair of axes to capture both the traditional distinction between mapmaking and map use and the more contemporary distinction between cartographic representation and interaction. The curriculum is collaboratively developed, conceptually-grounded, technologically diverse, and integrated with open educational resources to ensure it remains current, relevant, and synchronized across in-person/online learning modalities.
Full Video
Abstract

In this paper, we discuss our experiences advancing a professional-oriented graduate program in Cartography & GIScience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to account for fundamental shifts in conceptual framings, rapidly evolving mapping technologies, and diverse student needs. We focus our attention on considerations for the cartography curriculum given its relevance to (geo)visualization education and map literacy. We reflect on challenges associated with, and lessons learned from, developing a comprehensive and cohesive cartography curriculum across in-person and online learning modalities for a wide range of professional student audiences.