Introduction to (Geo)Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization
QAC 231
Spring 2014
| Section:
01
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Geographic information systems (GIS) provide researchers, policy makers, and citizens with a powerful analytical framework for spatial pattern recognition, decision making, and data exploration. This course is designed to introduce social science and humanities students to spatial thinking through the collection, management, analysis, and visualization of geospatial data using both desktop and cloud-based platforms. Classes will consist of short lectures, hands-on training using different spatial analysis and geodesign technologies (e.g. ESRI ArcGIS, Google Fusion Tables, MapBox), group projects, critiques, and class discussions. Weekly readings and assignments will build skills and reinforce concepts introduced in class. The course will culminate in the development of a group project. Guest lectures by faculty across campus will allow students to comprehend the breadth of applicability geospatial thinking in today's research arena. The course is part of Wesleyan's Digital and Computational Knowledge Initiative and is aimed at students with limited or no prior GIS experience. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM QAC, SBS QAC |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (BIOL)(CADS)(DATA-MN)(ENVS-MN)(ENVS)(HRAD-MN)(PSYC) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: CQC |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Weekly readings will mainly be mass media and peer-reviewed academic journal articles aimed at illustrating specific skills or general themes regarding spatial data visualization and analysis in social science and humanities scholarship. (Example: Goodchild, MF and DG Janelle. 2010. Toward critical spatial thinking in the social sciences and humanities. GeoJournal 75(1):3-13.)
Potential textbook:
GeoHumanities: Art, History, Text at the Edge of Place (Dear et al., 2011) or The Spatial Humanities: GIS and the Future of Humanities Scholarship (Bodenhamer et al., 2010)
Qualitative GIS: A Mixed Methods Approach (Cope & Elwood, 2009)
Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences: Investigating Space and Place (Steinberg & Steinberg, 2005) or GIS and Spatial Analysis for the Social Sciences: Coding, Mapping, and Modeling (Nash, 2008).
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Examinations and Assignments:
2-3 exams
1 group project (oral presentation, written report, GIS products)
Multiple independent assignments |
| Instructor(s): Diver,Kim Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: ALLB204; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 0 | | |
| Seats Available: -4 | GRAD: 5 | SR non-major: 5 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 5 | FR: 5 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 15 | 1st Ranked: 6 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 6 |
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