Mapping Our Worlds with GIS: Cartography and Analysis in GIS
How things are related in space matters for many things-where different groups live and work, who faces health hazards, how people experience the places they live in, and more. Maps are powerful tools because they help us recognize things we might not otherwise see-and because they present pictures of the world that people act upon to pursue goals. In this class we learn how to conduct spatial analyses and make maps, shouldering the responsibility entailed by the power maps can confer. In-class lectures and activities will provide conceptual and technical foundations for spatial analysis and cartography. Lab sessions and assignments will give a practical introduction to using GIS software to map and analyze spatial patterns.
Topics
- Explain conceptual issues and choices involved in making maps and understanding phenomena that take place across space.
- Use GIS software to implement data management and spatial analysis operations.
- Use GIS software to create informative maps and justify your choices in displaying information on those maps.
- Gather data, conduct an analysis, and present findings regarding a spatial phenomenon.
- Discuss and apply key concepts in social scientific work on mapping and spatial analysis.
- Frame research questions on phenomena with spatial dimensions, conduct analyses, and report findings in ways that reflect advanced reasoning and build on conversations within their discipline.
Official roster learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027