Spring 2022

HIST 1947 - The Imperial Map: Geographic Information in the Age of Empire

Maps and empires have entangled histories. In this course we will examine the evolution of geographic information technology and the way imperial states and subjects used atlases, boundary surveys, town plans, and topographical maps to manage information flows and generate political and cultural capital. We will learn to speak the language of maps: particularly maps of the Russian Empire. Through units devoted to Siberia, the Black Sea, and European Russia, we will reconstruct the history of an empire through maps held right here at Harvard.

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SCI 6322 - Mapping: Geographic Representation and Speculation

Maps both represent reality and create it. It is in the context of this contention that this course presents the fundamentals of mapping, spatial analysis, and visualization. In a design process, the act of mapping selectively narrates site conditions. By choosing what features, forces, and flows to highlight—and which to exclude—the designer creates the reality in which their intervention will be situated.

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GOV 94DN - Mapping Social and Environmental Space

This seminar will use mapping as a methodological technique to examine social and environmental issues. Students will be expected to use mapping software to examine spatial data for a location and topic of their choice for their final paper. Weekly discussions will be conducted in class on various mapping related topics. References will range from books like "How to lie with Maps" to current journal articles examining the use of GIS in social science.

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GHP 534 - Introduction to Spatial Methods for Public Health

This is an introductory level course in the conceptual and analytic tools used to understand how spatial distributions of exposure impact on processes and patterns of disease. It covers methods that allow: (i) examination of patterns of health and disease in place and time, (ii) application of geospatial technologies and methods for epidemiology, (iii) analysis of time-space relations, (iv) identification of clusters and diffusion of disease, and (v) study of geographical epidemiology of selected infectious and noninfectious diseases.Course Activities: Assigned readings must be read in...

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ANTHRO 2020 - GIS & Spatial Analysis In Archaeology

An introduction to the GIS and remote sensing methods used by archaeologists to document and analyze datasets at the scale of the site and the region. This class will involve the hands-on use of printed maps, aerial photography, satellite imagery, digital terrain models, GPS-based observations, and UAV (drone) photogrammetry to approach archaeological research questions. Students will gain competence in creating spatial data for fieldwork, print publication, and online visualization (web maps and 3D modeling), and in basic spatial analysis of archaeological datasets.  Labs will use...

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CSCI E-8 Web GIS: Technologies and Applications

Web GIS, as the combination of the web and GIS (Geographic Information Systems), is a new and promising field. It has unlocked the power of GIS, and put online maps and geospatial intelligence in the offices of millions and the hands of billions. This course aims to provide students with the essential web GIS knowledge needed for managing web GIS projects, teach students the latest web GIS technologies needed for building modern web GIS applications, and inspire students with real world case studies. This course focuses on Esri's web GIS platform, the most widely used GIS technology in...

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