20:834:518 GIS for Public and Nonprofit Management Tentative Course Syllabus

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1 Meeting Time: Tuesdays, 5:30-8:10 p.m. Room: TBD Overview: This course introduces geographic information systems (GIS), applied visual data systems and analytics and its use in the public and non-profit sectors. Students will learn database management and design and digital cartography using popular GIS software, and how to combine the two to enhance analytic capacity. Integrating database management and spatial analysis allows students to go beyond simple mapping exercises to analyze complex public and nonprofit management problems. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes: This course should help students to make progress toward SPAA overall learning objectives by gaining specific skills: Advance toward the SPAA overall learning objectives described below 1. Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions. 2. Communicate and interact with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenship by gaining the following skills in this course: Understand ways that spatial data and analysis can inform important management problems in the public and nonprofit sectors; Identify, collect, and combine data from different sources to assess and solve management problems; and, Understand of the issues associated with maintaining spatial data systems. Use maps and visualization methods to present complex problems in more intuitive ways; Incorporate public input into complex management issues; and Recognize ways that maps can inform (or deceive) public discourse. Textbook: Law, Michael and Amy Collins Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop. 4 th ed. ESRI Press. ISBN: ; eisbn: Warning: Do NOT try to use an older version of the text, as it has changed substantially since the last edition. The ESRI Press can be located on the Internet at: 1

2 Required Journal Articles: Any journal articles used in class will be available through Rutgers University Library web site via Please consult a librarian if you need assistance locating or downloading articles. Software: We will use Blackboard for the distribution and submission of all assignments. We will use ArcGIS Desktop, Ver GIS software extensively in the class. This software is available in all public computer clusters on campus. o Also, when you buy the text book, you are entitled to a free 6-month license. To get the license and download the software, you will need to go to the ESRI website at: d=16 You will then follow the link at the bottom of the page. Your book will include a number inside the cover that will allow you to activate the license. Be careful not to do this too early. You don t want you 6-month license to expire before the end of the class! Students may need Microsoft Access for minimal parts of one or more assignments. It is available on computers in the RU-N public clusters. Requirements: Students are expected to attend class regularly, keep up with assigned readings, and participate in class discussions. Grades will be based on the following: Assignments (50%). Students must complete and turn in 5 problems sets. The instructions and any data sets needed for each will be posted on Blackboard under Assignments. Be sure to read all instructions carefully, and answer all parts of the problem set. Final Project (40%). Each student must develop a final project that demonstrates the student s mastery of GIS using real data. The Professor will attempt to have several projects available to work with real public or nonprofit clients, but students should be prepared to design their own topic. A more detailed description of the final project requirements will follow. Students will present their project to their peers. Participation (10%). Also, attendance and general participation in class discussions will be considered in the grade. 2

3 Grades: A B B C C F Below 70 Course Policies Late Work: Barring significant intervening circumstances, such as medical or family emergencies, I generally do not accept late assignments or adjust deadlines for individuals. Late assignments will be downgraded. There are no re-dos, no extra credit, and no substitutionary credit. Classroom Etiquette: Please respect the right of your classmates to get the most out of their class time. Please turn your phone off during class. If you are texting, etc. you will be asked to leave. You are welcome to bring your laptop to class for note-taking. However, I reserve the right to prohibit laptop use in the classroom if it is distracting. Writing Styles: You may use either APA or Chicago style, but please be consistent within the document. In-text citations are preferred to footnotes or endnotes. Writing clarity and quality are considered in grading. Please use a standard font such as Ariel, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Pages should use 1-inch margins, double-spaced, with 12 point fonts. If you think you need help with your writing, talk to the professor. There are resources on campus to help you. Also feel free to contact SPAA s writing coach, Terry Hall, at tlh135@scarletmail.rutgers.edu. Research Source Suggestions: Wikipedia and similar on-line resources are great, but they are not substitutes for traditional and peer-reviewed sources such as journals, periodicals, scholarly books. On-line sources may be appropriate for specific uses such as describing the stated policy of an agency, etc. There is no steadfast rule on this, but the strength of your arguments will rely on the reliability of your sources. You are expected to cite your sources and any quotes. Disability Services: Accommodations, Auxiliary Aids, and Services enable qualified students with disabilities to receive the same information and opportunities presented to a student without disabilities. They allow students who have disabilities to learn and convey knowledge of course materials in alternate formats. These aids and services make classroom, courses, labs, and programs accessible and must not compromise the academic standards or essential requirements of the course or the program. Following list gives some examples of accommodations, auxiliary aids, and service provided in post-secondary settings: Scheduling classes in physically accessible locations 3

4 Extended time on exam A reduced distraction testing location Books on Tape Interpreters Students should apply at and provide the Instructor with a copy of the Accommodation Authorization Form. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. and Communication: Communication about class schedules, requirements, homework assignments or readings may be made via Blackboard, so it is expected that students will check their accounts regularly. There is also a discussion board on Blackboard for the class. Students are encouraged to use it to share comment, questions, etc. Academic Integrity: This is a class on research. Research has always built on the work of others and often requires collaboration. Students may consult with each other on assignments, but the work handed in must be the student's own, original work. Plagiarism or cheating in any form will be dealt with forcefully, in accordance with the Rutgers Policy on Academic Integrity: Copyright Notice: Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law (Title 17, United States Code). Usage of such material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes fair use under the Copyright Act. Disclaimer : The instructor reserves the right to amend the schedule and/or readings at any time. 4

5 Tentative Class Schedule Note: required articles for each week will be announced as soon as they are available. September 8 September 15 September 22 September 29 October 6 October 13 October 20 October 27 November 3 November 10 November 17 November 24 December 1 December 8 December 15 Introduction to GIS & its Applications in Public & Nonprofit Mgt. Assignment #1 handed out. Database Concepts: Data Structures and Queries, Geodata Assignment #1 due. Introduction to ArcGIS Thematic Mapping, Symbolization & Classification Assignment #2 handed out. Spatial Queries and Data Analysis Assignment #2 due. Projections and Metadata Readings: TBD Assignment 3 handed out. Geoprocessing: Clip, Buffer, and Overlay Readings: TBA Assignment #3 due. Creating and Editing Data Assignment #4 handed out. Geodatabases Assignment #4 due. Geocoding Addresses Assignment #5 handed out. Raster Data Readings: TBA Assignment #5 due. Thanksgiving Holiday Managing GIS Operations Presentations Presentations 5