Postgraduate Course: GIS and Society (PGGE11089)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/ |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This module will examine the interrelationships between GIS and the structures of modern society. The course is a mix between the $ùdoing&© of GIS and the consideration of the importance of the broader social implications of GIS. Through case studies related to the geographies of health we will consider how GIS systems and spatial data are embedded in particular economic, political and social structures and the implications this has for research will be debated throughout the module. The way in which GIS is employed in society has the ability to influence values, perceptions and knowledge, this representation of knowledge in GIS will be discussed with particular reference to how information is represented and understood. Other areas of importance include public participation and GIS, representation in GIS, ethics and privacy and the use and misuse of GIS. Computer practicals will include the downloading and use of census data for research, the use of health data and standardization and methods used to define catchments or $ùneighbourhoods&© for research. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, students should have achieved and demonstrated, or be able to achieve and demonstrate, the ability to:
-understand how GIS technology is being used to represent information about society
-acknowledge the profound effect that the use and misuse of GIS will have on the directions and outcomes of future projects
-understand the ethical and regulatory issues, particularly related to privacy and social exclusion, that are raised by the wider applications of GIS in society
-understand how different societal perspectives have shaped the availability and management of spatial data and GI technologies
-locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topic
-develop reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature
-plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard
-take responsibility for your own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience |
Assessment Information
50% coursework
50% examination |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Niamh Shortt
Tel: (0131 6)51 7130
Email: Niamh.Shortt@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Caroline Keir
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: caroline.keir@ed.ac.uk |
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