Geographic Information Systems

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor, Undergraduate

Geospatial technologies include a suite of inter-connected technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies (e.g. satellite imagery). These technologies have emerged in recent decades as cross-cutting, enabling, and prevalent in all aspects of life. This course primarily focuses on illustrating how GIS is enabling decision-makers and professionals in understanding the needs of our rapidly changing, extremely diverse, yet ever more interconnected world. This course is designed primarily for graduate students who aspire to be leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors of international affairs and global development. Graduate students interested in international development, global politics and security, global human development, reducing poverty, global public health, and humanitarian/crisis management are welcome to join this course. Special attention will be put on the importance of ethics and best practices in applying GIS and other related technologies in these fields.