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Historic Preservation Home > Syllabi > 300 Level Courses > HISP 345 Computer Applications in Historic Preservation

UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION
HISP 345-01 Computer Applications in Historic Preservation
Spring Semester 2009

Mr. Stanton
MWF 2-2:50pm
Combs Hall, 011

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Traditionally, preservationists rely on drawings, photographs, documents, and maps to provide insight into past lifeways, to investigate the built environment, and to study cultural landscapes.  Increasingly, preservationists are taking advantage of technology to help organize, view and understand these sources of information.  This course will provide an introduction to two different types of computer technologies frequently used in this capacity, including computer-assisted documentation (CAD) using AutoCAD® 2004, and using geographic information systems (GIS) with ArcView® 9.x.  Through lecture, hands-on experience and projects, students will explore the possibilities of using technology in the field of Historic Preservation, to provide new means of documenting, interpreting and analyzing cultural resources.

Students successfully completing the course should be able to do the following:

  • Explain basic CAD operations and concepts
  • Create two-dimensional drawings in AutoCAD®, including building floorplans
  • Employ the concept of layers and line weight in AutoCAD®
  • Print drawings or plot drawings for use in publication (paper and electronic)
  • Explain the difference between two and three dimensional drawings in AutoCAD®
  • Create a three dimensional drawing
  • Explain basic geographic information system concepts
  • Use ArcView® desktop GIS
  • Create a project in ArcView®, with existing and created data
  • Incorporate database and CAD information into an ArcView® project

Class Format

            Classes will typically begin with a demonstration, followed by discussion, and ending with an in-class lab exercise on the computer.  Occasional guest presenters and lecturers will discuss specific applications of these technologies to cultural resource management and historic structures.  These will be scheduled outside our regular class periods. This class may also require additional fieldwork to collect data for use in the GIS portion of the class, all other data will be provided for the students.

Course Work

            The majority of work in this course will take place on the computers, during the time set aside in class each day.  Additional reading of required texts, and suggested background reading should take place, prior to the class when those materials will be discussed.

Graded Projects
During the course, one project will be assigned for CAD, and one GIS.  Each of these will be completed on the computer.  The CAD project will include creation of floorplans and details from fieldnotes.  The AutoCAD project will be due on March 30th. You are encouraged to return to your own drawings from other classes to convert them to electronic format. The GIS project will include use of a database with census and tax records, deeds, or fire insurance records from Fredericksburg and Falmouth.  The final GIS project will build on the concepts covered in these sections, as well as include data created in the GIS portion. You GIS project will be due at the Final Exam, Thursday, 29th at the exam time.

Tests
The student is responsible for all required readings and lecture materials.  Any handouts in class should be considered materials that will be tested.  Examinations will be computer-based and test your knowledge concerning basic terms, concepts, procedures or significant examples from in-class discussions, assignments and readings.  Tests include fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions, as well as requirements to extract data, complete partially rendered drawings or perform spatial analysis.  There will be two tests: Monday, February 16th and a final on Wednesday, April 29th 3:30pm-6:00pm.

Please note that as part of the GIS portion of this class, you will receive the Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Using ArcView® 9.x class as taught by the Cultural Resource Geographic Information Services Facility of the National Park Service.  This class is the only GIS class developed specifically for cultural resource management of historic resources.

Course Texts

Recommended:
George Omura, AutoCAD® 2004 and AutoCAD LT® 2004. Alameda CA, 2004. (not in bookstore)

Required and Provided
Cultural Resource GIS Facility, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Using          ArcView® 9.x. National Park Service, 2008. (not in bookstore)

MY OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesday           11:00-12:45
Thursday         11:00-12:45

OFFICE
Combs 128
Phone: 654-1313
I am happy to make an appointment to see you at some specific time that suits your needs--ask me in class, or write me an email message at <gstanton@umw.edu>

Grading
Your final grade will be based on the work completed in each section of the course, including: 2 projects (each worth 25%), midterm (worth 15%), the final exam (worth 20%) and class participation (worth 15%). Your attendance in class is part of the class participation.  Please note:  No passing grade can be achieved in this course without completion of all examinations and out-of-class graded assignments.

This class emphasizes skills acquisition. We will be helping each other to master the skills necessary to be successful with these software materials. However, during tests or in the actual production of graded work the Honor Code makes clear that each student will do their own work. If you have any questions concerning what is acceptable shared learning and what is unacceptable copying, please see me. If you see or hear others inappropriately sharing information or files please bring this situation to my attention immediately.

The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities.  If you receive services through that office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs.  Bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in the strictest confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise.

      If you need accommodations, (note taking assistance, extended time for tests, etc.), I would be happy to refer you to the Office of Disability Services. They will require appropriate documentation of a disability.  Their phone number is 540-654-1266.

SCHEDULE OF CLASS MEETINGS, TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Monday 19 January 2009
Introducing the class, discuss logistics and organization as well as our study areas, Falmouth and Fredericksburg, VA.

Wednesday 21 January 2009
History of Computer Assisted Drawing.

Friday 23 January 2009
Basic concepts of AutoCAD® software: the mouse, the screen interface, drawing with layers, drawing in model space and paper space

Monday 26 January 2009
Drawing a box: basic 2D documentation with a template

Wednesday 28 January 2009
Drawing basics, covering cancel/undo/oops, snaps and reviewing basic lines and beginning to form your floorplan with offset.

Friday 30 January 2009
Add detail to your drawings with fillet, rotate, trim and erase.

Monday 2 February 2009
Make drawings go faster, such as copy, move, mirror and scale

Wednesday 4 February 2009
The wonders of text and dimensioning.

Friday 6 February 2009
Finishing off drawings with assigning layers and line weights, as well as hatching.

Monday 9 February 2009
Plotting and the use of color tables to assign line weight.

Wednesday 11 February 2009
Importing raster images and scaling, and then creating a vector drawing overlay.

Friday 13 February 2009
Review of 2D drafting with AutoCAD

Monday 16 February 2009
Midterm Exam

Wednesday 18 February 2009
Changing a 2D Plan into a 3D Model. Understanding isometric and orthographic views.

Friday 20 February 2009
Setting up model and paper spaces for three dimensional drawing, understanding user coordinate systems.

Monday 23 February 2009
Extruding a 2D drawing in three dimensions

Wednesday 25 February 2009
Introduction of 3D wire frame modeling. Defining faces and thickness.

Friday 27 February 2009
Drawing 3D using surfaces.

SPRING BREAK

Monday 9 March 2009
The John Marshall House, creating a 3D drawing

Wednesday 11 March 2009
The John Marshall House, creating a 3D drawing

Friday 13 March 2009
Plotting a 3D drawing

Monday 16 March 2009
What my teacher never told me about AutoCAD and CAD drafting

Part II: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Wednesday 18 March 2009
            History of electronic Geographic Information Systems and the associated Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

Friday 20 March 2009
Introduction to ArcView®.  Explanation of the ArcView interface and the components of ArcView® 9.x (ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox).  Using the help system.
Exercise 1: Getting Familiar with ArcView®9.x

Monday 23 March 2009
Reviewing questions from Introduction to ArcView®.  Organizing the data view, introducing data frames and data layers; changing layer symbology, labeling features, and creating layer files.
Exercise 2:  Displaying data with ArcView®9.x

Wednesday 25 March 2009
Reviewing questions from introduction of data display. Using Identify, Find, and Measure. How to select by attributes and by location as well as using interactive selection.
Exercise 3:  Querying data with ArcView®9.x

Friday 27 March 2009
Discuss spatial data formats and how to link features and attributes. Introducing and exploring the Arc Catalog interface.
Exercise 4:  Using ArcCatalog

Monday 30 March 2009
Introduce table properties, manipulating tables and using tables to create graphs and reports.
Exercise 5:  Working with Tables in ArcView®9.x
AutoCAD project is Due.

Wednesday 1 April 2009
Introducing editing data and attributes, sketching features, and calculating attribute values.
Exercise 6:  Editing Spatial Data in ArcView®9.x

Friday 3 April 2009
Understanding concepts of geo-referencing, coordinate systems, and projections.
Exercise 7:  Working with Projections in ArcView®9.x

Monday 6 April 2009
Techniques for creating spatial data.
Exercise 8:  Creating New Spatial Data in ArcView®9.x

Wednesday 8 April 2009
Discuss creating maps in ArcMap, preparing the layout page, adding map elements and creating map templates.
Exercise 9:  Making Paper Maps with ArcView®9.x

Friday 10 April 2009
Discuss the steps in creating a GIS project.
Exercise 10:  Building Your Project and Performing Analysis in ArcView®9x

Monday 13 April 2009
Building the Falmouth Historic District: Class exercise

Wednesday 15 April 2009
Collecting data for the District

Friday 17 April 2009
Adding data to the map project

Monday 20 April 2009
Completing the map project

Wednesday 22 April 2009
Plotting and printing the report

Friday 24 April 2009
Course Review
GIS Project is due

Wednesday 29 April 2009
            3:30—6p.m.  Final Exam