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Thematic Cartography

By BALAKRISHNAN P.   |   Kannur University
Learners enrolled: 20
The objective of this course introduces students to the fundamental skills required to create and interpret thematic maps—maps that focus on specific topics or types of information, such as population, rainfall, or land use. The emphasis is on clear and effective map design, enabling students to present geographic data visually in a meaningful and accurate way.
Students will learn to use various types of diagrams—such as line, bar, and circle graphs—to represent data, along with mapping techniques like choropleth maps, dot maps, and proportional symbols to display spatial patterns based on area or point data. They will also explore the use of isolines to represent continuous phenomena such as temperature or elevation.
The course further provides training in the use of overlays, combining different types of map data (points, lines, and areas) to better understand spatial relationships. Practical demonstrations are incorporated to familiarize students with open-source GIS platforms such as QGIS for preparing simple thematic maps. These hands-on sessions will equip students with the technical skills needed to apply thematic mapping techniques in their research projects and other academic or professional work.
By the end of the course, students will be able to design and produce clear, effective thematic maps and will have a solid understanding of how geographic data can be visually communicated to reveal spatial patterns and relationships.

Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Core
Language for course content : English
Duration : 15 weeks
Category :
  • Geography
Credit Points : 4
Level : Undergraduate
Start Date : 05 Jan 2026
End Date : 09 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends : 28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages : English
NCrF Level   : 5.5

Page Visits



Course layout

Weeks Weekly Lecture Topics (Module Titles)

1 Day 1 Module 1 : Introduction to Cartography
Day 2 Module 2 : Maps- Definition, Significance
Day 3 Module 3 : Classification of Maps 
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

2 Day 1 Module 4 : Use of Thematic Maps
Day 2 Module 5 : Map versus Photographs: Generalization and Symbolization 
Day 3 Module 6 : Principles of Map Design
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

3 Day 1 Module 7 : Visual Hierarchy and Layout
Day 2 Module 8 : Practical Demonstration- Prepare a layout for a given thematic map using Q-GIS/ArcGIS
Day 3 Module 9 : Introduction to Diagrammatic Techniques
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

4 Day 1 Module 10 : Sources of Data for Thematic Mapping 
Day 2 Module 11 : Line Diagrams – Construction and Use
Day 3 Module 12 : Bar Diagrams – Types and Application
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

5 Day 1 Module 13 : Pie Circle Diagram – Calculations and Uses
Day 2 Module 14 : Proportionate Circle Diagram – Calculations and Uses
Day 3 Module 15 : Introduction to Thematic Mapping: Techniques and Choice 
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

6 Day 1 Module 16 : Properties and Limitations of Thematic Maps
Day 2 Module 17 : Constructing Choropleth Maps- Basic Principles and Issues
Day 3 Module 18 : Practical demonstration of drawing of Choropleth Map for showing areal data (making classes- Natural Breaks, Equal Interval, Quartile; selecting symbols) 
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment
 
7 Day 1 Module 19 : Dot Maps – Concept and Construction (demonstration) 
Day 2 Module 20 : Advantages and Limitations of Dot Maps
Day 3 Module 21 : Proportional Circles – Scaling and Placement
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

8 Day 1 Module 22 : Proportional Circles – Demonstration 
Day 2 Module 23: Point Data and Interpolation Basics (practical demonstration)
Day 3 Module 24 : Creating Isopleth Maps (practical demonstration)
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

9 Day 1 Module 25 : Accuracy and Limitations of Isopleths
Day 2 Module 26 : Concept and Uses of Overlays
Day 3 Module 27: Planning an Overlay Map
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

10 Day 1 Module 28 : Map Overlay Techniques – Manual vs. GIS
Day 2 Module 29 : Map Overlay v/s Bi-variate Mapping 
Day 3 Module 30 : Overlaying Areal Data – Cases and Examples
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

11 Day 1 Module 31 : Overlaying Point Data – Cases and Examples
Day 2 Module 32 : Overlaying Line Data
Day 3 Module 33: Visualization Challenges in Multi-layer Mapping
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

12 Day 1 Module 34 : Overlaying Point Data on Area Map (proportionate circle and choropleth)
Day 2 Module 35 : Overlaying Point Data on Line Data (Dot map and isopleth)
Day 3 Module 36 : Multi-layer Thematic Maps- Organization and Design Considerations
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

13 Day 1 Module 37 : Preparing a 3-layer overlay map (areal, point, and line)- practical demonstration- manual and GIS
Day 2 Module 38 : Preparation of Thematic Map
Day 3 Module 39 : Demonstration of preparation of final map outlay in GIS 
Day 4 Discussion 
Day 5 Assignment 

 15 Day 1 Module 40 : Interpretation of Thematic Maps- Principes and Techniques 
Day 2 Interaction based on the Modules covered.
Day 3 Revision.
Day 4 Term end assessment

Books and references

Misra, R. P. and Ramesh A. (1989). Fundamentals of cartography. Concept Publishing Company: New Delhi.
Dent, B. D., Torguson, J.S., and Hodler T.W. (2009). Cartography: Thematic Map Design. Mc Graw Hill.
Singh, G. (1996). Map Work and Practical Geography. Vikas Publishing House: New Delhi. 
Khan, M.Z.A. (1998). Text Book of Practical geography. Concept Publishing: New Delhi. 
Singh, R.L. and Singh, R.P.B. (1991). Elements of Practical Geography. Kalyani Publishers: New Delhi.
Tyner, J. A. (2014). Principles of map design. Guilford Publications.

Instructor bio

BALAKRISHNAN P.

Kannur University
Mr. Balakrishnan P. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Kannur University, Kerala. He has over a decade of teaching experience and an excellent track record as a teacher, researcher, and academician. Before joining Kannur University, he served as an Assistant Professor (Ad hoc) at Miranda House and Indraprastha College for Women, both affiliated with the University of Delhi. During his tenure at the University of Delhi, he actively contributed to various academic committees involved in syllabus design and the formulation of detailed course guidelines.

He holds M.A. in Geography with a specialization in Regional Development and Quantitative Methods and an M.Phil. from the Centre for the Study of Regional Development (CSRD), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His research interests broadly encompass Labour Studies, the Political Ecology of Dispossession and Development, Spatial Theory, the Political Economy of Agrarian Change, and the Social and Economic Geography of India.

Course certificate

1.       End-Term Examination:
  • Weightage: 70% of the final result
  • Minimum Passing Criteria: 40%
2.       Internal Assessment:
  • Weightage: 30% of the final result
  • Minimum Passing Criteria: 40%
Calculation of IA Marks:
  • Out of all graded weekly assessments/assignments, the top 50% of assignments shall be considered for the calculation of the final Internal Assessment marks.
All students who obtain 40% marks in the internal assessment and 40% marks in the end-term proctored exam separately will be eligible for the SWAYAM Credit Certificate.
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