About the Course
The workshop is centered on equipping students with "geoliteracy" to solve contemporary global problems through spatial analysis and sustained inquiry. It provides a systematic study of the patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth's surface. Moving beyond simple memorization of locations, students utilize landscape analysis and spatial concepts to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. Students become more engaged in contemporary global issues and informed about multicultural viewpoints.
- Incorporate Geospatial Mastery, whereby students can apply mapping and geospatial technologies to analyze data and visualize spatial patterns.
- Move beyond map-making to interpret geographic information from satellite imagery, infographics, and diverse data sets to draw evidence-based conclusions.
- Develop research questions to tackle "ill-defined" problems, such as sustainable urban development or cultural preservation.
- Transfer skills to help students learn to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to generate and evaluate arguments about human-environment interactions.
- Analyze conflicting narratives and stakeholder viewpoints in complex issues like migration or economic development.