BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN SOCIAL STUDIES

SPECIALIZATION: Secondary Social Studies

COURSE NAME: Map Reading and Interpretation for Social Studies

Teachers

COURSE CODE: SS200SEB

YEAR : TWO

SEMESTER: ONE

NUMBER OF CREDITS: 2

NUMBER OF HOURS: 30 hours

PREREQUISITES: CXC/CSEC Social Studies General Proficiency

Grades I or II or GCE O’level Grades Aor B

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed todevelop geographical knowledge and skillsto apply to the teaching of Social
Studies. It willequip the student teacher with map reading and interpretation skills essential for the
effective teaching of Social Studies. Students will be exposed to a range of maps, written materials,
diagrams and pictures as well as how to infuse computer technology into map reading and representation
of statistical maps and diagrams. This approach will ensure that student teachers are beingprepared to
deliver with efficacy the grades 7-9 Social Studies curriculum as well as the CXC Social Studies
syllabuses.

COURSE CONTENT

UNIT 1.Map Features and Types

No of hours: 4 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

1. define a map;
2. distinguish between map, photograph, plan
3. gather information from photographs

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4. recognise the relationship between, maps, photographs (google earth)
5. create maps of Jamaica, Caribbean and world with requisite features
6. discuss the importance of each feature
7. recognise conventional symbols used on map
8. apply the qualities to create maps
9. identify types of maps
10. explain the uses of various types of maps
11. Draw and complete map work.
12. Design the model of a map utilizing various materials.
13. Co-operate in groups to complete assign tasks.
14. Develop social and intellectual skills in doing activities.
15. Be willing to participate in class activities.

Content:

1. definition of map
2. distinguishing features of photograph, plan
3. Features of a map – key, scale, border, title, north arrow or grid reference
4. Key – common symbols and colours used
5. Qualities – neatness, clarity, accuracy, penmanship, correct use of colours and symbols
6. General reference maps e.g. topographical maps, wall maps, road maps, and thematic maps
(relief, political, climatic, resource etc.)

UNIT 2. Understanding Scales

No of hours: 3 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

1. explain the concept scale

2. identify the different types of scale
3. distinguish between large scale and small scale map
4. explain the use of a scale and the limitations of different types of scales
5. draw a map of their immediate environment
6. use scales to calculate distance .
7. Show appreciation for the different types of scales
8. Work effectively in groups .

CONTENT:

1. concept of scale

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 2. types of scale – linear, ratio, word/statement
3. large scale and small scale maps – amount of detail given, examples
4. uses and limitations of linear and ratio scale – calculate distance and area, show relationship
between map and actual area it represents ,height is ignored, rare to travel in straight line for great
distance.
5. Use linear scale to calculate straight line, and curved distances, in Jamaica and Caribbean

UNIT 3. Locating Places

No of hours: 4 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

1. locate places on a map using the 16 point compass

2. use hand held compass to determine location
3. calculate bearing between places/features on a map
4. explain the concept of a grid
5. define latitude and longitude
6. describe the characteristics of parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude
7. explain concept of a great circle
8. determine location using lines of latitude and longitude
9. calculate the time of places
10. locate places using four figure grid square and six figure grid reference
11. describe Jamaica’s position in the Caribbean and relation to the rest of the world
12. Work together in groups to complete group assignments.
13. Demonstrate the skills of locating places

CONTENT:

1. Use 16 points on compass to locate places/features on a map

2. Determine bearing from 00 to 360 0
3. Concept of grid
4. Latitude, longitude- angular distance, degrees, minutes
5. Characteristics of parallels and meridians
6. Easting, northing, grid square, grid reference

UNIT 4. Understanding Landforms on Maps

No of hours: 6 hours

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

1. Identify ways of representing height on a map

2. Identify contour representation of landforms
3. Calculate contour interval
4. Interpret and analyze contours representing landforms
5. Calculate gradient
6. Construct annotated sketch sections
7. Explain concepts of relief
8. Examine contours in order to describe landforms
9. Identify and locate the main physical features of Jamaica, Caribbean and world
10. Co-operate with others in carrying out group activities

CONTENT:

1. Representing height on a map – colours, layer colouring ,contours, spot height, trigonometrically
station
2. Contour lines representations – hills, plateau, ridge, escarpment, knoll, gaps, valley, spur, ravine,
cliff, headland, bay, undulating lowland, plain

Slopes – regular, irregular, scarp, dip, concave, convex

River valley and channel features- shape, width, braiding, sinuosity, size of meanders ,tributaries
and distributaries, confluence, gradient, stage/course

3. Describing relief /landforms – height, length, width, shape, size, relationship with adjacent
landform
4. Describe coastline- straight/irregular ,embayed, low lying or cliffed, composition- sandy, rocky,
muddy, marshy, erosional and depositional features
5. Physical features – mountains, rivers, plains, valleys, deserts

UNIT 5. Land Use- Settlement, Industry Vegetation, Transportation and

Communication

No of hours: 6 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

1. Identify various types of land use on a map

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 2. Analyze the relationship between various types of land use
3. Carry out land use mapping of immediate environment
4. Explain site, situation, function of a settlement
5. Describe the layout of a settlement
6. Analyze factors influencing site and location of settlements
7. Determine settlement type
8. Recognize hierarchy of settlements on a map
9. Evaluate the services provided by a settlement
10. Analyze the distribution of settlements on a map
11. Explain concepts density and distribution
12. Using map evidence identify factors that facilitate the development of industries
13. Identify various categories of roads and other forms of communication
14. Describe the transportation and communication network on a map extract
15. Relate forms of communication to relief
16. Identify how forms of communication overcome physical barriers
17. Distinguish between cultivated and natural vegetation
18. Show appreciation for the different land forms and settlement pattern.

CONTENT:

1. Land use – settlement, industry, transportation and communication,

2. Site, situation,
3. Function-agricultural, mining, route centre, service centre, administration, residential,
commercial, etc.
4. Services – health, education, recreation, water and power supply-public services
5. layout-planned or unplanned,
6. pattern- nucleated, dispersed, linear,
7. differences between rural and urban- size, economic activity, spacing
8. hierarchy of settlement – isolated, district, small town, large town, city
9. Factors influencing site – relief, water resources, route ways, bridging point, defence
10. Type of settlement – urban, rural, suburban
11. Factors affecting location of industry- raw materials, transport, labour, market
12. Transportation and communication- airports, railway, roads
13. Description – categories, density,
14. Transport and communication- bridges, cuttings, embankments
15. Cultivated – agriculture
16. Natural – forest, swamp,

UNIT 6. Statistical Maps and Diagrams

No of hours: 7 hours

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students should be able to:

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 1. Identify and interpret statistical maps
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each type of statistical map and diagram
3. Choose the most appropriate method of representing data
4. Represent data in the form of tables, diagrams, charts, graphs
5. Interpret statistical data
6. Outline steps in creating statistical diagrams
7. Explain the use of GIS in creating maps
8. Examine statistical maps and diagrams
9. Analyze statistical maps and diagrams
10. Observe guidelines when producing statistical diagrams
11. Use appropriate computer software to create statistical diagrams
12. Co-operate in groups to complete assignments on time

CONTENT:

1. Dot map, isoclines maps, choropleth maps, flow maps

2. Advantages and disadvantages of each
3. Pie chart, line graph, bar graph, population pyramid
4. Guidelines – neatness, accuracy, choice of symbols and colours, effectively convey meaning
5. Create graphs charts using Microsoft word or excel

Teaching methods

Practical work, including mapwork, use of computer software

Lecture/discussion, individual and group work

Research and in class presentations

Use of resource persons.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES

Coursework
Weighting: 70%

Coursework should include: Portfolio of Best Work. Portfolio must include pieces from each unit

UNIT 1
 Lab exercise: produce political and relief map of Jamaica, 15%
Caribbean, World
UNIT 2
 Lab exercise: Calculate straight line and curved distances and 5%
calculate area
UNIT 3

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  Lab exercise – locate places using lines of latitude and longitude, 10%
compass direction and bearing. Calculate time,

UNIT 4
 Lab exercise: description and interpretation of landforms.
Drawing sketch sections 10%

UNIT 5

 Lab exercise: interpretation and analysis of land use- vegetation, 15%

settlement, industry, transportation and communication, land use
mapping of immediate environment
UNIT 6 15%
 Lab exercise: construct statistical diagrams. Interpretation and
analysis of statistical maps and diagrams

Written Examination
Weighting 30%

One 2 hour examination consisting of short answer questions covering all units.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND REQUIRED READING,

Drummond, D. W., & Drummond, R. R. (1986). People on Earth ; A World Geography .

Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company . (chapter 3, pages 26-49)

Floyd, B. (2002). First Lessons in Map Reading for the Caribbean. Kingston : LMH Publishing
Limited.(pages 5-23)

Macmillan Caribbean certificate Atlas. (1998). London : Macmillan Education Limited.(map of

the World, Caribbean, Guyana)

Morrissey, M. (1991). The Longman Atlas for Caribbean Examinations. Essex: Longman Group
UK limited. (pages 25-26 -maps of the Caribbean, 50-51-maps of Guyana, 120-maps of the
world

Morrissey, M., & Graham, H. (1991). Practical Skills in Caribbean Geography, Book 1 .
Kingston : Carlong Publishers Caribbean Limited. (pages 22-28, 37-45 and 51-59)

Poxon. Photo Mapwork. (pages 11-14, 45-46)

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Wilson, M. (1990). The Caribbean Environment . Oxford: Oxford University Press.(pages 10 -
17)
http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-16_u-188_t-631_c-2342/locating-features-on-a-map-area-and-grid-references/nsw/
locating-features-on-a-map-area-and-grid-references/geography-skills/maps-2-

http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Schools/Fieldwork+and+local+learning/Fieldwork+techniques/
Urban+and+settlement.htm

http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/landuse.html

http://geography.about.com/od/locateplacesworldwide/

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Prep_For_Basic_Training/prep_for_basic_common_tasks/identify-terrain-
features.shtml

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