(Instructor: Jill Kelly); Course Number: EHS 568
Department: Environmental Health Sciences (EHS); Graduate
This course teaches the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a collection of hardware and software tools that allow users to acquire, manipulate, analyze, and display geographic data in its spatial configuration. Students learn both the theory of geospatial analysis and practical applications of GIS in a public health context.
(Instructor: Jill Kelly); Course Number: ENV 756
Department: Environment; Graduate
Modeling Geographic Objects teaches the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a collection of hardware and software tools that allow users to visualize and analyze geographic data in its spatial configuration. Geographic data is modeled spatially as drawings of discrete objects (vector) or as images of continuous space (raster). Students learn the theory of geospatial analysis alongside practical methods for acquiring, manipulating, displaying, and analyzing cartographic data.
(Instructor: Simon Queenborough, Jennifer Marlon); Course Number: EVST 3303;
Department: Environmental Studies; Undergraduate & Graduate
This course is for students who wish to gain an understanding of the principles, tools, and techniques needed to communicate effectively with data. Class topics include collecting, cleaning, and managing data, exploring and analyzing data, choosing and using chart types, formatting charts, human perception and biases, principles of design, and visual communication. We work with various software for managing data and creating charts, including data cleaning (OpenRefine), spreadsheets and charts (Excel, Sheets), presentation (Powerpoint, Slides), statistics and charts (base R, ggplot), charts (DataWrapper, Tableau), GIS (ArcGIS), and other tools to develop visualizations using diverse datasets. A basic understanding of descriptive statistics is expected. Programming or coding experience is not required.
(Instructor: Bill Rankin); Course Number: HIST 8912
Department: History; Undergraduate & Graduate
A research seminar focused on methodological questions of geography and geographic analysis in historical scholarship. We consider approaches ranging from the Annales School of the early twentieth century to contemporary research in environmental history, history of science, urban history, and more. We also explore interdisciplinary work in social theory, historical geography, and anthropology and grapple with the promise (and drawbacks) of GIS. Students may write their research papers on any time period or geographic region, and no previous experience with geography or GIS is necessary. Open to undergraduate students with permission from instructor.
(Instructor: Jill Kelly); Course Number: EHS 569
Department: Environmental Health Sciences (EHS); Graduate
The course teaches advanced concepts in GIS analysis; techniques for the planning, automation, and reproducibility of GIS workflows; and strategies for communicating results broadly. Students practice a range of technical skills essential for both academic research and practical application in the field of spatial public health. The Python programming language is introduced, with no prior coding experience required. Prerequisite: EHS 568, or equivalent comprehensive introduction to GIS and spatial analysis.
(Instructor: Xuhui Lee); Course Number: ARCG 3262, ARCG 7262, ARC726, EPS 3620, EPS 5620, EVST 3620
Department: Archaeological Studies, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Environmental Studies; Undergraduate & Graduate
A practical introduction to satellite image analysis of Earth’s surface. Topics include the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, satellite-borne radiometers, data transmission and storage, computer image analysis, the merging of satellite imagery with GIS and applications to weather and climate, oceanography, surficial geology, ecology and epidemiology, forestry, agriculture, archaeology, and watershed management. Prerequisites: college-level physics or chemistry, two courses in geology and natural science of the environment or equivalents, and computer literacy.
(Instructor: Jill Kelly); Course Number: ENV 755
Department: Environment; Graduate
Modeling Geographic Space teaches the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a collection of hardware and software tools that allow users to visualize and analyze geographic data in its spatial configuration. Geographic data is modeled spatially as drawings of discrete objects (vector) or as images of continuous space (raster). ENV 755 focuses on the latter, mapping the nature and pattern of spatial phenomena: both natural characteristics of the landscape, such as elevation, temperature or rainfall, and abstract, statistical characteristics, like distance, density and flow. Students learn the theory of geospatial analysis alongside practical methods for acquiring, manipulating, displaying, and analyzing cartographic data.
(Instructor: Jill Kelly); Course Number: EVST 2290,
URBN 3307
Department: Environmental Studies; Urban Studies; Undergraduate & Graduate
A practical introduction to the nature and use of geographic information systems (GIS) in environmental science and management. Applied techniques for the acquisition, creation, storage, management, visualization, transformation, analysis, and synthesis of cartographic data in digital form.
(Instructor: Aaron Reiss); Course Number: CSTC 2310
URBN 3307
Department: Child Study Center; Undergraduate & Graduate
How do maps play a role in border conflicts or colonial occupations? How can maps change the way we understand the places we come from? How can we read the biases and points of view inherent in a given map, or put forward those of our own? Students tackle these questions about the history, role, and significance of maps-in-storytelling through academic texts, investigative visual journalism, close readings of maps, and making maps of their own. Most course work revolves around students creating digital, interactive “map stories” on topics of their own choosing. Class is divided between lectures and tutorials. In lectures, we survey historic and modern maps to learn how they tell stories… and can also tell lies. In tutorials, we learn how to design and code interactive map stories of our own, starting from the very basics.