Geographic Information Systems (Modules 12, 16)
Wednesday, June 17; Thursday, June 18
Hinds Hall, Room 013
Jonnell Robinson (Syracuse University)
The module sequence introduces participants to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) spatial data visualization and analysis. Six sessions provide participants with hands-on experience using ESRI’s ArcGIS software suite and a variety of open-source mapping programs including QGIS, Open Street Map, and Google My Maps. Participants will learn to locate and generate high quality spatial data, display mapped data using professional cartographic principles, perform basic spatial data analysis, and how to further hone their GIS skills. The modules also introduce “critical GIS” and “participatory GIS” and highlight important ethical concerns when mapping socially constructed data. Participants are welcome to work with their own data during the mapping exercises. Participants will leave the module with the skills and confidence to create simple yet powerful maps.
Participants may enter the module sequence after it has begun, but their doing so is discouraged.
Geographic Information Systems I (M12, June 17)
8:45am - 10:15am – Enhancing Qualitative Social Science Research with GIS
This first session of six introduces participants to some of the ways that mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can enhance a range of qualitative and quantitative research approaches and methodologies. Using housing as a hypothetical research area, the session demonstrates ways to examine housing access using spatial data visualization and analysis. During the hands-on portion of the session, participants will learn the interface of ESRI’s ArcPro, a leading GIS mapping software.
Required readings:
McElroy, E. (2018). Countermapping displacement and resistance in Alameda County with the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project. American Quarterly, 70(3), 601-604. http://doi.org/10.1353/aq.2018.0039
McNeese, Dr Jazmyne. “How to Conduct a Housing Needs Assessment Using PolicyMap: A Case Study in Indianapolis, IN.” PolicyMap, August 27, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2026 from https://www.policymap.com/blog/housing-needs-assessment-case-study.
Shelton, T. (2018). Mapping dispossession: Eviction, foreclosure and the multiple geographies of housing instability in Lexington, Kentucky. Geoforum, 97, 281-291. doi:https://doi-org.libezproxy2.syr.edu/10.1016/j.geoforum.2018.09.028
Suggested readings:
ESRI. (n.d.). What is GIS? Geographic Information System Mapping Technology. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://www.esri.com/en-us/what-is-gis/overview.
Cope, M., & Elwood, S. (2009). Qualitative GIS: A mixed methods approach. Sage. (ebook is available via Syracuse University library)
Hamlin, M. (2022). Participatory sketch mapping for policy: A case study of reentry housing from Chicago. The Professional Geographer, 74(1), 52-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/00330124.2021.1952883
Monmonier, M. (2007). Mapping it out: Expository cartography for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Univ. of Chicago Press.
Steinberg, S. J., & Steinberg, S. L. (2006). GIS: Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences: Investigating Space and Place. Sage Publications. (ebook is available via Syracuse University library)
1:30pm - 3:00pm – Basic GIS Functions
This session explores basic map visualization and spatial analysis functions such as map scale, building and querying attribute tables, clipping and buffering map features, and symbolizing nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio data.
Required readings:
Branch, J. (2016). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in International Relations. International Organization, 70(4), 845-869. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818316000199
Demsey, C. (2023). Basic uses of GIS. GIS Lounge. May 18. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://www.gislounge.com/basic-uses-of-gis/
Starr, H. (2002). Opportunity, willingness and geographic information systems (GIS): reconceptualizing borders in International Relations. Political Geography, 21(2), 243-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0962-6298(01)00058-0
Suggested readings:
Bolstad, P. (2019). GIS Fundamentals: A first text on Geographic Information Systems (6th edition). XanEdu.
ESRI. (n.d.). About ArcGIS Pro. About ArcGIS Pro-ArcGIS Pro Documentation. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/2.8/get-started/get-started.htm
Maantay, J. and Ziegler, J. GIS for the urban environment. Esri Press. 2006.
3:30pm - 5:00pm – GIS Data Sources, Spatial Data Repositories, and Data Integration
This session will review the types and sources of secondary data that are available for GIS users working in both data rich and data poor settings, the ethics of using mapping in research, and how metadata is used to communicate information about secondary sources of spatial data. Participants will learn how to locate, assess, and download spatial data from web-based repositories and integrate the data into GIS. The difference between vector data (points, lines, and polygons) and raster (grid-based orthoimagery) data will be demonstrated.
Required readings:
Allen, C., Tsou, M.-H., Aslam, A., Nagel, A., & Gawron, J.-M. (2016). Applying GIS and Machine Learning Methods to Twitter Data for Multiscale Surveillance of Influenza. PLoS ONE, 11(7), e0157734. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157734
Crampton, J.W., Huntley, E.M. and Kaufman, E.C. (2017). Societal impacts and ethics of GIS, Elseveier. Comprehensive Geographic Information Systems, 398-414. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09628-7
Jung J.K. & Elwood, S. (2010). Extending the qualitative capabilities of GIS: computer-aided qualitative GIS. Transactions in GIS, 14(1), 63-87. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9671.2009.01182.x
Suggested readings:
- Gregory, I. N., & Geddes, A. (2014). Toward spatial humanities: Historical GIS and spatial history. Indiana University Press.
Geographic Information Systems II (M16, June 18)
8:45am - 10:15am – Open Source Mapping Tools
This session will introduce open source geovisualization and analysis tools and the opportunities and limitations that each presents. Participants will explore OpenStreetMap, Google My Maps, and QGIS and when using these platforms can be advantageous.
Required readings:
Haklay, M., & Weber, P. (2008). OpenStreetMap: User-generated street maps. IEEE Pervasive Computing, 7(4), 12–18.
Holder, S. (2018, March 14). Who maps the world? Bloomberg CityLab. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/03/who-maps-the-world/555272
Suggested readings:
Google. (n.d.). Google My Maps. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://www.google.com/maps/about/mymaps/
OpenStreetMap Contributors. (2022, April 13). OpenStreetMap Wiki. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/w/index.php?title=About_OpenStreetMap&oldid=2310396
QGIS. (no date). Documentation for QGIS 3.4. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://docs.qgis.org/3.4/en/docs/index.html
1:30pm - 3:00pm – GIS Data Creation: Digitizing Archival Maps and Historical GIS; Collecting Georeferenced Survey Data in the Field; and Involving Research Participants in Sketch Mapping and Participatory GIS
This session teaches various ways to collect primary spatial data. Participants will learn to digitize a historical map, collect georeferenced survey data during field work, and tools to engage research participants in participatory mapping.
Required readings:
Dunn, C. E. (2007). Participatory GIS — a people’s GIS? Progress in Human Geography, 31(5), 616-637. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309132507081493
Heasley, L. (2003). Shifting boundaries on a Wisconsin landscape: Can GIS help historians tell a complicated story? Human Ecology, 31(2), 183-213. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023928728978
Peluso, N.L. (1995). Whose woods are these? Counter-mapping forest territories in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Antipode, 27(4), 383-406. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8330.1995.tb00286.x
Suggested readings:
Craig, W.J., Harris, T.M., & Weiner, D. (Eds.). (2002). Community Participation and Geographical Information Systems (1st edition.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203469484 (ebook available via Syracuse University library)
Gregory, I.N. (2005). A place in history: A guide to using GIS in historical research. (2nd edition). Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Gregory2/publication/228725974_A_place_in_hi story_A_guide_to_using_GIS_in_historical_research/links/547726620cf29afed614470b.pdf
Oxford Big Data Institute. (n.d.). What is Epicollect5. Epicollect5 Data Collection User Guide. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://docs.epicollect.net
3:30pm - 5:00pm – Map Design: Effectively Communicating Mapped Data
This session will provide an overview of basic map design and geovisualization, integrating narrative and photos with GIS, and a discussion about how and where to further hone GIS skills. Participants will learn about the importance of purpose, audience and form when using maps to communicate, and the essential components of maps that allow users to accurately read and interpret spatial data.
Required readings:
Berry, L. (2020, September 9). 6 easy ways to improve your maps. ArcGIS Blog. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/mapping/mapping/6-easy-ways-to-improve-your-maps/
Brewer, C., Harrower, M., and The Pennsylvania State University. COLORBREWER 2.0: Color advice for cartography. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from http://colorbrewer2.org/#type=sequential&scheme=BuGn&n=3
Buckley, A., & Field, K. (2011). Making a Meaningful Map: A checklist for compiling more effective maps. ArcUser. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0911/making-a-map-meaningful.html
Ingraham, C. (2021, November 24). The dirty little secret that data journalists aren’t telling you. The Washington Post. Retrieved May 19, 2026, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/11/the-dirty-little-secret-that-data-journalists-arent-telling-you/
Suggested readings:
Brewer, C. A. (2015). Designing better maps: A guide for GIS users (2nd edition). Esri Press.
MacDonald, H. I., & Peters, A. H. (2011). Urban policy and the census. Esri Press.
Mitchell, A. (2020). The Esri guide to GIS analysis, Volume 1: Geographic patterns and relationships (2nd edition). Esri Press.
Mitchell, A. & Griffin, L.S. (2021). The Esri guide to GIS analysis, Volume 2: Spatial measurements and statistics (2nd edition). Esri Press.
Mitchell, A. (2012). The Esri guide to GIS analysis, Volume 3: Modeling suitability, movement, and interaction. Esri Press.
Monmonier, M. (2017) How to lie with maps. (3rd edition). The University of Chicago Press.