In this course, students will gain a background in the physical and cultural geography of the Great Lake basin and explore water issues in the watershed pertaining to topics such as pollution, climate change, ecosystem services, human water usage, and local and basin-level water resource policies. Emphasis will be placed on systems-based thinking as it pertains to the characteristics and functioning of water features (e.g., lakes, streams, wetlands, aquifers) within the basin.

Digital storytelling describes the practice of using digital tools to tell a ‘story’ in an engaging and compelling format. A story map is a digital storytelling tool that combines maps with multimedia content (e.g., images, video, text) to convey geographic information as a narrative. Students will employ elements of cartographic design, spatial analysis, and data visualization within story maps as a means for creating interactive science stories about Great Lakes water issues. Students will explore multiple story map formats and their utility in the effective communication of science to scientists, the public, and policymakers. Prior experience with web maps or story maps is not required. A laptop or tablet with an internet browser is required for multiple class meetings.