GIST Graduate Certificate: Options for Students in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Graduate students interested in social applications of GIST now have the option of getting a GIST Graduate Certificate by completing the courses listed below.
REQUIRED COURSES
- GEOL 5321 Introduction to GIST (3 hours)
- GEOL 5322 Advanced GIST (3 hours)
TECHNICAL CORE ELECTIVE
SOCI 5381 Cartography and Visualization: Mapping Social Data with GIST (3 hours)
This course provides: (1) an introduction to the principles and techniques of cartography, with a specific focus on mapping socio-demographic data; and (2) hands-on experience with thematic map design and production using GIS software.
NOTE: No prior GIS coursework or knowledge is necessary. Currently offered only in the Summer semester.
APPLIED ELECTIVES
SOCI 5390 Individual Studies: Analyzing Social Data with GIST (3 hours)
The purpose of this course is to build on the basic principles covered in introductory GIST and/or cartography courses and gain experience with analytic approaches emphasizing various demographic and socioeconomic applications of GIST. Several GIS-based analysis and modeling techniques relevant to the specific applications are covered.
NOTE: Prior GIST coursework is required (GEOL 5321: Introduction to GIST or SOCI 5381: Cartography and Visualization). Currently offered as a Directed Study course in Sociology.
SOCI 5363/SOCI 5341 Environmental Justice: Theories, Methods, and Policy (3 hours)
This course examines concepts, theories, debates, methodologies, analytic tools, policies, and case studies that contribute to our understanding of environmental justice (EJ) and social vulnerabilty to environmental hazards. It explores the use of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, including GIST and web-based tools, for environmental risk and EJ analysis.
NOTE: Students wishing to use this course for the GIST Graduate Certificate must complete a final project where they apply GIS-based methodologies for EJ analysis in a particular study area (case study paper). Students who select this option must notify the instructor at the time of enrollment. Prior GIST coursework is required (GEOL 5321: Introduction to GIST or SOCI 5381: Cartography and Visualization).