Cartography How do maps work? What are their intended uses and impacts? How do maps differ across cultures and times? In this course we will explore these questions through a series of practical exercises, readings, discussions, and critiques. We will learn fundamental concepts, principles, and patterns for using graphics to depict geographical ideas. We will practice both manual and digital methods for making maps, including GIS and graphics software, and compare frameworks and paradigms for evaluating map style and use.

The Global Environment (formerly GEOG 0206) This course will provide an introduction to the study of the physical environment, with an emphasis on how environmental systems interact. The first half of the course will focus on Earth’s climate, specifically, Earth’s energy budget, the greenhouse effect, global wind and weather patterns, and global ocean circulation patterns. The second half of the course will focus on patterns and processes of the Earth’s surface by examining global patterns of vegetation and the creation of landforms by fluvial, glacial, and aeolian processes. We will use this foundation to understand how our rapidly changing climate will alter each of these systems.

Cartography (formerly GEOG 0231) What are the timeless elements of maps that make them useful, informative, and beautiful? In this course we will explore how purpose, scale, culture, technology, geography, and other factors interact to influence the look of maps, and we will learn how to incorporate good examples of map-making into our own creative work. We will compare different ways to read and evaluate maps and discuss concepts, principles, and theories that help explain reasons for good map design. Through a series of practical exercises, we will apply methods with computer software and create a final original project with a public critique.

Mapping Global Environmental Change (formerly ENVS 0150) How do geographers use geospatial technologies to observe the Earth’s surface? How do geographers use this information to interpret changes in the global environment across space and time? In this course we will learn how to work with large geographic datasets to explore patterns and changes to the Earth’s surface at local to global scales. Case studies will use remotely-sensed images to study land cover, climate, weather, wildfire, and other topics. Students will learn concepts, methods, and ethics for using a cloud-based geospatial analysis platform to process data, critically interpret workflows and results, and communicate findings with web maps and graphics.

Mapping Global Environmental Change (formerly GEOG 0150) How do geographers use geospatial technologies to observe the Earth’s surface? How do geographers use this information to interpret changes in the global environment across space and time? In this course we will learn how to work with large geographic datasets to explore patterns and changes to the Earth’s surface at local to global scales. Case studies will use remotely-sensed images to study land cover, climate, weather, wildfire, and other topics. Students will learn concepts, methods, and ethics for using a cloud-based geospatial analysis platform to process data, critically interpret workflows and results, and communicate findings with web maps and graphics.

Conservation Planning (formerly GEOG 0310) Conservation planners try to identify and protect places with natural and cultural values. In this course we will investigate geographical concepts and methods for interpreting landscape change, inventorying natural resources, and evaluating conservation plans. We will examine the contributions and limitations of maps and geographic information systems in conservation planning through a combination of computer-based analyses, field investigations, readings, writing workshops, and discussions. The Town of Middlebury will provide a case study and students will develop independent projects that compare Middlebury to other towns in Vermont. (GEOG 0150).

Mapping Global Environmental Change How do geographers use geospatial technologies to observe the Earth’s surface? How do geographers use this information to interpret changes in the global environment across space and time? In this course we will learn how to work with large geographic datasets to explore patterns and changes to the Earth’s surface at local to global scales. Case studies will use remotely-sensed images to study land cover, climate, weather, wildfire, and other topics. Students will learn concepts, methods, and ethics for using a cloud-based geospatial analysis platform to process data, critically interpret workflows and results, and communicate findings with web maps and graphics.

Cartographic Design (formerly GEOG 0325) In this course we will study principles of cartographic design in the digital era. Major topics will include cartography before computing, reference map design, thematic map design, and atlas production. Laboratory exercises will develop workflows for cartographic design with geographic information systems and graphics software. Through authentic projects and group critiques, students will learn to design cartographic products that facilitate spatial thinking and effectively communicate geographic information to specialist and lay audiences.

Conservation Planning Conservation planners try to identify and protect places with natural and cultural values. In this course we will investigate geographical concepts and methods for interpreting landscape change, inventorying natural resources, and evaluating conservation plans. We will examine the contributions and limitations of maps and geographic information systems in conservation planning through a combination of computer-based analyses, field investigations, readings, writing workshops, and discussions. The Town of Middlebury will provide a case study and students will develop independent projects that compare Middlebury to other towns in Vermont. (GEOG 0150).

Town-Gown Lands of Middlebury In this course we mix methods to investigate lands that connect Middlebury College and Vermont towns. We will study the natural and human histories of land and investigate relationships between Middlebury College and local human and natural communities. We ground these themes at field sites along a transect from the Champlain Valley to the Green Mountains where college and non-college communities overlap in space and time. Students explore questions from multi-disciplinary perspectives, learn to interpret and integrate different kinds of evidence, including texts, images, maps, and direct observations, share their work with peers to help contextualize field excursions, and produce a short research article linked to a web map of Middlebury town-gown lands.

Jeff Howarth

Reviews and ratings for Jeff Howarth at Middlebury College.Jeff Howarth teaches Cartography, The Global Environment, Mapping Global Envrn Change and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Jeff Howarth good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Cartography is probably the most difficult but rewarding class I have taken at Middlebury. Jeff is such a gifted professor, and you learn so much with him. However, this class is really determined by how much you put into it. Making good maps requires a lot of time and thought, and if you don't have that in you, this class will not be enjoyable. So, if you can put in the time, you'll develop amazing illustrator and Q skills, but expect a lot of late nights. I definitely recommend the class, but be aware of what you are getting into with it. 

I took this course as required for my major; however, I was relatively disappointed with what I got out from this course. While there were extenuating circumstances that contributed to my lack of excitement for the course material, the curriculum was relatively unstructured and somewhat random. The two major essays were extremely open-ended, but so open-ended to the point where I was questioning what I was getting out of writing them. Maybe I'm just simply uninterested in studying Earth's climate and environmental geography, but the class having a lot of busy work that only sometimes amounted to a class discussion made it not as enjoyable as it could have been.

This course had a lot of detailed work, but it was enjoyable. Making maps and learning new skills in QGIS and Adobe Illustrator were nice breaks from other class work. Jeff is a fantastic professor, and I highly recommend taking a class with him. 