Geographic Information Systems for Global Affairs

Geographic information systems (GIS) are frameworks designed for the creation, storage, retrieval, analysis, and visualization of spatial data. GIS is applied across fields as diverse as global studies, urban planning, environmental management, law enforcement, industrial location, and marketing, and for scientific research in many disciplines. This course is a hands-on course which will introduce students to foundational concepts and skills in working with spatial data, including finding and creating data, spatial analysis, and GIS-based map production. Specific global affairs topics will be analyzed using ESRI¿s ArcGIS software suite. The course also includes a special focus on a final GIS project on a global affairs issue chosen by the student.