The University of Sheffield
Geography Undergraduate Student Handbook

GEO361 GIS and the Social Sciences

Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Approved for BA Geography, BSc Geography, Duals with Archaeology (BA), Economics, Mathematics, Planning, Politics, Sociology
Semester Spring
Prerequisite GEO210 or GEO231
Description Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide increasingly important tools in the social sciences and especially in the development and monitoring of social and economic policy. This module will introduce students to some of the key data sources used for this type of analysis, such as the population censuses and other large government surveys. It will also introduce students to a range of techniques used for the analysis of socio-economic data. Some of the practical and policy-related issues which arise in this type of analysis will also be considered. The course will include practical sessions using state-of-the-art software
Aims
  • To introduce students to the techniques and issues related to the use of Geographic Information Systems in the social sciences
  • To introduce students the use of GIS for socio-economic policy analysis
  • To enable students to carry out independent research in the area of GIS and socio-economic applications
  • To enable students to apply a variety of GIS and related spatial modelling methods and techniques to socio-economic geographic data
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module, a student will be able to demonstrate:
  1. An awareness of the importance of geographical dimensions of public policy.
  2. A good understanding of the socio-economic data and methods available to analyse public policies.
  3. An understanding of the geographical implications of urban, regional and national social policies.
  4. An understanding of the practical and ethical problems associated with the use of GIS and socio-economic data sets.
Outline Contents
  • Overview of GIS in the Social Sciences
  • Data sources
  • Data integration and mapping
  • GIS in socio-economic impact assessment
  • GIS in social and economic policy analysis
  • GIS in BusiEnvironmental Sciences and Service Planning
  • GIS, Local Democracy and Local Government Spatial Decision Support
Delivery Methods Lectures and practicals
Student Contact Hours 30
Supporting Texts
  • Nyerges, T., Couclelis, H. and McMaster, R. (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of GIS and Society
  • Ballas, D., et al (2005) Geography matters: simulating the local impacts of national social policies
Assessment Methods Assessed essay/coursework
Staffing
(convenor underlined) 		Dr Dimitris Ballas
 

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