Foundations of Geospatial Thinking

This course introduces geographic perspectives that are foundational to Geographic Information Systems, including: human-environment interactions, spatial thinking, and systems thinking. Students will learn about the power of maps as communicative tools, and the ethical issues in the field of cartography. Key theoretical topics will include the spatial side of: systems, processes, distributions, clusters, movement, and networks with special attention to how cultural, biological, and earth systems interact. Students will interact with existing geographic data portals to explore topics in a region of interest to them. No previous experience in geography or data science is needed. This course will prepare students for any GIS course with the ability to think and communicate from geographic perspectives.