Course Name:  Map Reading and Land Navigation 
Course Prefix: GEOG
Course Number: 1002
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Bryan Dorsey, bdorsey@weber.edu

Current Date:  1/17/2011
College: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Department:   Geography                              
From Term: Spring  2011 

Substantive

change 

Current Course Subject GEOG
Current Course Number 1002

 

GEOG 1002. Map Reading and Land Navigation (1) Orienteering and the use of maps, compasses, global positioning systems (GPS), and other navigational aids. Weekly two-hour lab sessions for ten weeks.

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  GEOG            

Course Number: 1002

 Check all that apply:
    This is for courses already approved for gen ed.
    Use a different form for proposing a new gen ed designation.
DV  CA  HU  LS  PS  SS 
EN  AI  QL  TA  TB  TC  TD  TE

Course Title: Map Reading and Land Navigation

Abbreviated Course Title:

Course Type:  LEL

Credit Hours:  2  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 1 hr./week  Lab 2 hrs./week   Other

Repeat Information:  Limit 0   Max Hrs 0 

Grading Mode:  standard

This course is/will be: a required course in a major program
a required course in a minor program
a required course in a 1- or 2- year program
elective

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

None

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

GEOG 1002. Map Reading and Land Navigation (2)
Orienteering and the use of maps, compasses, global positioning
systems (GPS), and other navigational aids. Lecture and field work prepares course participants to apply navigational knowledge and skills in a professional setting.

Justification for the new course or for changes to an existing course. (Note: Justification should emphasize academic rationale for the change or new course. This is particularly important for courses requesting upper-division status.)

Justification for two credits: For the last two years, the Map Reading and Land Navigation course (GEOG 1002) has been offered as a one credit course. During this time it has proven difficult to accomplish the objectives as originally designed: to offer a course that prepares students to apply navigational knowledge and skill to a professional setting. The one credit course does meet the objectives for a recreational user, but is unable to surpass that within the time and work constraints of a one-credit course.

A two-credit designation will allow additional practice on the basic navigation skills, the instruction and practice of advanced navigation tools, more field experience critical for gaining proficiency, and the inclusion of the Navigation Logistics Project. This project allows students to apply these navigation skills in a mock professional setting.
 

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).

GEOG 1002 (2) MAP READING AND LAND NAVIGATION

TWO CREDIT COURSE SYLLABUS

Justification for two credits:  For the last two years the Map Reading and Land Navigation course (GEOG 1002) has been offered as a one credit course.  During this time it has proven difficult to accomplish the objectives as originally designed:  to offer a course that prepares students to apply navigational knowledge and skill to a professional setting.  The one credit course does meet the objectives for a recreational user but is unable to surpass that within the time and work constraints of a one-credit course.

A two-credit designation will allow additional practice on the basic navigation skills, the instruction and practice of advanced navigation tools, more field experience critical for gaining proficiency, and the inclusion of the Navigation Logistics Project. This project allows students to apply these navigation skills in a mock professional setting.

Course Description:  This field studies course introduces students to maps and map use both in the classroom and in the field.   While exploring local natural environments from a geographer's perspective, particular application is made of map interpretation, compass use, orienteering, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).  Lecture and field work prepares course participants to apply navigational knowledge and skills in a professional setting.

Prerequisites:  None

Course Objectives:

a.   Students will demonstrate map interpretation skills through using topographic map symbols, colors, scales and contour lines and drawing correlations between them.

b.   Students will be able to identify natural landforms by their contour line representation on a topographic map.

c.   Students will be able to use a simple base plate compass to both measure and plot field bearings.

d.   Students will demonstrate how to follow a compass bearing in the field to within a three degree error.

e.   Students will demonstrate how to plot a field bearing on a map with accuracy.

f.    Students will be able to combine the appropriate map and compass skills to triangulate their position within one quarter mile.

g.   Students will be able to plot a GPS coordinate (using either UTM or Lat/Long) onto a topographic map to within 49 meters.

h.   Students will be able to use a GPS for computing surface areas and distances.

i.    Students will be able to download GPS data for use in a spreadsheet.

j.    Students will be able to successfully program and navigate to a given location using a GPS.

k.   Students will understand and apply practical traveling skills by successfully and safely completing a field based practicum.

l.    Students will be able to apply navigation skills to a professional setting by successfully completing the Navigation Logistics Project.

Required Text:

Wells, D. (2005).  NOLS Wilderness Navigation.  Mechanicsberg, PA: Stackpole Books.

 

All information, including maps, that is not common knowledge must be referenced either by footnote or in-text citation.  Any form of plagiarism will result in your failing the course.          

 

Course Outline/Schedule:  (Each session = 1 hr. lecture/week and 2 hrs. of field work/week)

Session 1:  Course Introduction and Map Interpretation

1.      Introduction

a.  Why is navigation important?  

b.      Navigation Tools: Maps, Compasses, GPS, Quad Tool
 

2.      Course Outline –syllabus, grading and policies review

3.      Introduction to Maps relevant to navigation

4.      Border Information

  1. Catalog Information
  2. Scales of importance
  3. Three North’s

5.      Measuring trail distances

a.       Estimating travel time

6.      Colors of the map and their meaning

7.      Pacing Homework assignment

 

Session 2:  Map Interpretation

1.      Contour Lines and Contour Activity

    1. Contour Matching Activity

2.      Mock field contour matching activity

3.      Map interpretation activity and homework assignment

 

Session 3:  Introduction to the Compass

1.      Review of Homework Assignment

2.      Introduction to the compass

a.       History

b.      Parts and terminology

3.      Adjusting for declination

4.      Field bearings

a.       Following

b.      Measuring

5.      Map bearing

a.       Measuring

b.      Plotting

6.      Triangulation

a.       Single line triangulation

b.      Multiple line triangulation

 

Session 4: Practical Topographic Matching

1.      Practical contour matching activity with the natural landscape

a.       Cone of possibility

b.      Matching landforms with topographic maps

                                                  i.      Problems with perspective

                                                ii.      How local vegetation can help

c.       Estimating distance

 

Session 5: Compass Practice

1.      Field bearings practice

a.       Following

b.      Measuring

2.      Map bearing practice

a.       Measuring

b.      Plotting

3.      Triangulation practice

a.       Single line triangulation

b.      Multiple line triangulation

 

Session 6: Coordinate Systems

  1. Coordinate Systems
    1. Latitude and Longitude
    2. UTM
  2. Map Projection vs. Datum
  3. Introduction to the Quad Tool
  4. UTM
    1. Measuring and plotting
  5. Lat/Long
    1. Measuring and plotting

 

Session 7:  Advanced Navigation Tools

1.      Altimeters

a.       How they work

b.      As a navigation aid

2.      Advanced Compass Features

a.       Sighting mirror

b.      Inclinometer

c.       Cut-outs

3.      Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

a.       History

b.      How they work and their limitations

c.       Basic Settings

 

Sessions 8:  Advanced Navigation Tools (GPS)

1.      Programming and field use

a.       Converting coordinates

2.      Plotting GPS coordinates on a map

3.      Entering map coordinates

4.      Route Feature

5.      Track Feature

 

Session 9: Navigation Logistics

1.      Navigation Logistics in a professional setting

a.       Navigation from the office (planning)

                                                  i.      Tools (computer mapping, web resources)

b.      Determining appropriate field sites

c.       Managing

 

Session 10:  Advanced Navigation Tools (GPS)

1.      Routes

2.      Area calculation

3.      Trac Back

4.      Integration with paper maps and computer mapping (GIS)

 

Session 11: Advanced Navigation Travel Techniques

1.      Avoiding obstacles

2.      Intentional offsetting

3.      Catching features and handrails

4.      Using Fall lines

5.      Using Slope Angles

6.      Night Navigation

7.      Dead Reckoning

 

Session 12: Navigation Logistics (continued)

1.      Support for completing Navigation Logistics project

 

Session 13: Lost Prevention

1.      Safeguards and Prevention

2.      Search and Rescue for the Individual by small group leader

 

Session 14: Unique Mapping Concerns

1.      Unique Mapping Concerns:

a.       Waterways

b.      International Mapping Differences

c.       Caving

d.      Bathymetric

2.      Review and questions about Field Experience 

 

Session 15: Field Experience and Final (4 hours)

1.      Field Based Practicum and Final:

a.       This activity consists of students working individually or in small groups (2-3) to answer questions relating to knowledge learned and demonstrate map, compass and GPS skills by traveling through an outdoor environment.

2.      Review and questions

 

Evaluation:                                                                                                                     

Class Attendance and Involvement:                                20 points

           Each 2-hour class

                (Does not include final field day)

Homework:                                                                      40 points

Pacing (5 points)

Map Interpretation (10 points)

Compass/GPS Exercises (10 points)

Navigation Logistics Project (15 points)

Final Field Day:                                                               40 points

           Preparation (5 points)

           Practicum Assignment (30 points)

           Actively participates (5 points)

                                                                    Total            100 points

Grading Scale:


 
A   = 100-95 points

A-  = 94.9-90

B+ = 89.9-87

B   = 86.9-83

B-  = 82.9-80
C+ = 79.9-77
C   = 76.9-73
C-  = 72.9-70
D   = 69.9-50
E   = 49.9-