Atlas Exercise

 

This exercise is designed to introduce you to the resources available through the Dr. Mary T. Dooley Map Collections section of the MSU Memorial Library. The map collection is located on the first floor of the library. Specifically, this exercise will give you a look at the types of atlases available for your use at the library.

Note: Most of the atlases in the MSU library are for in-library use only and cannot be checked out, so be prepared to schedule the time needed to complete this exercise in the library.

 

Find any atlas that is of interest to you (there are a variety of ways to locate an atlas):

• You can look through the shelves and pick an atlas from the 1^st floor map section.
• You can use the library web page to search underBooks (select the Books tab) using keywords
• You can use the library web page to do an advanced search under Books
  • Select the Bookstab, and then select the ADVANCED New Catalog Search
  • This ADVANCED search will allow you to limit your search byCollection:
    • Map Area-Atlas and Book Collection-1^st Floor
    • ERC Juvenile Collection-Lower Level (Good for K-12 Education Majors)

 

This exercise must be completed using materials available through the MSU Memorial Library. It cannotbe completed using on-line materials.

 

Your summary of the atlas you have chosen should include the following:

1. The TITLE of the atlas.
2. The CALL NUMBER assigned to the atlas (This is how you locate items in the library.)

• Check the spine of the book or inside front cover
• The Call # should start with a letter and look similar to: G1201.S1 H4 2007

1. The YEAR the atlas was published.

 

1. Look through the atlas and pick TWO different maps to summarize:

For EACHof the two maps you select include the following information:

1. 1. PAGE NUMBER and TITLE of the map
   2. The map SCALE used to show distance (graphic, verbal, or representative fraction)
   3. The map PROJECTION used to make the map (if no information is given, note there is none).
2. Describe and summarize EACH of the TWO maps:

• What information is represented on each map (what is your interpretation of the data presented); what did you learn; do you have any questions specific to the map?

How the map is designed is not as important as what you learned. I should be able to tell from your summary theexact map you are summarizing.

 

6. Comment on your impression of the ATLASas a whole. Was it a unique topic for an atlas? What did you find informative and useful?

 

Your summary of the two maps and the atlas itself should be at least two typewritten pages (12 point font, double-spaced and stapled or printed double sided).

 

Grading Criteria (25 pts):

Appropriate format andcontent(plus stapled or double sided)             5 pts

Complete atlas and map information              (#’s 1.-4.)                       5 pts

Complete map summaries                               (#5.2 x 5 pts each)       10 pts

Atlas comments                                              (#6.)                 5 pts

25 pts

Remember that this is due at the beginning of class, and be sure to put your name, Geog100-(your section number) , and yourTech ID clearly, in one line at the top of your exercise. (This is part of the format)