This course provides an overview of applications of Geographic Information Science in New Zealand and internationally. Through field teaching, individual and group work, and guest lectures from industry professionals, students will gain a strong understanding of the dimensions of the geospatial industry from data collection, to storage, analysis and dissemination. Specific attention will be given to organisations’ use of and impact on GIS; ethics; and how GIS fits within organisations, the economy, communities, and its impacts on their decision making.
If COVID alert levels change, the class will continue as follows:
- Level 1 Class as normal. Attendance in person preferred and strongly encouraged. Lecture recordings will be available on Blackboard.
- Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 Class will be conducted solely over zoom with recordings available later for review.
Sessions of this class that take place in the Buchanan Room (Cotton 209A) will be recorded and posted to Blackboard.
| Item | Dates |
|---|---|
| Trimester | 22 February to 19 June 2021 |
| Teaching period | 22 February to 28 May 2021 |
| Mid-trimester break | 5 April to 16 April 2021 |
| Last assessment item due | 4 June 2021 |
| Study period | NA |
| Examination period | NA |
| Withdrawal dates | See Course additions and withdrawals |
If you cannot complete an assignment or sit a test or examination, refer to Aegrotats
The schedule for the course will be posted here, along with links to lecture materials, etc. Some materials may only be available through Blackboard, which you should check regularly.
Prof. David O'Sullivan Office CO227 Extn. 6492 Office hours preferably by appointment click here but direct message me on the Slack and we can arrange contact. My office phone is not a good way to reach me.
An outline of the three day (two night) residential field trip is posted here, along with the timetable (not yet finalised).
These are in the Buchanan Room at 12PM on Wednesdays, unless otherwise noted. Details are subject to change as the trimester unfolds, so check Blackboard regularly for any updates.
| Week | Date | Speaker | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 17-19 Feb | Otaki field trip | Detailed timetable |
| 1 | 24 Feb | No meeting | |
| 2 | 3 Mar | Introducing 'Critical GIS' (David) - Video | Discussion of assigned readings |
| 3 | 10 Mar | The power of maps (and GIS) (David) - Audio | Discussion of assigned readings |
| 4 | 17 Mar | Counter-mapping and indigenous perspectives (David) - Audio | Discussion of assigned readings |
| 5 | 24 Mar | Ocean Mercier (VUW Māori Studies) | Ocean's chapter in Imagining Decolonisation Materials from the session on Blackboard |
| 6 | 31 Mar | Sydney Shep (VUW Waiteata Press) | Video unavailable (sound failed to record) |
| SEMESTER BREAK | NO TEACHING | ||
| 7 | 21 Apr | Duane Wilkins | LINZ |
| 8 | 28 Apr | Mairéad De Roiste (VUW) | Course feedback |
| 9 | 5 May | Katie Jones | GNS |
| 10 | 12 May | Elaine McAlister | 'Women who know their place: diversity in the spatial industry' WIS on LinkedIn WIS blog |
| 11 | 19 May | Jake Hanson & Cullum Pene-Wesche | Ministry for Primary Industries Video |
| 12 | 26 May | No meeting |
There are three course assessments, with details linked in the table below. Asll assignments should be submitted to the dropboxes provided on Blackboard.
| Item | Course credit | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Data collection report (up to 10 pages plus story map) | 30% | 5pm Mon 15 March |
| Critical GIS essay (up to 2500 words) | 40% | 5pm Mon 26 April |
| GIS in New Zealand essay (up to 2500 words) | 30% | 5pm Fri 4 June |
The primary mode of communication for the course will be via Blackboard and Slack, so please ensure that your contact details there are up to date and are regularly checked (note that Blackboard defaults to your myvuw.ac.nz email address).
A volunteer is need to act as class representative. If you are interested let me know. Further information about the role is available here.
- Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
- Aegrotats
- Academic Progress (including restrictions and non-engagement)
- Dates and deadlines
- Grades
- Resolving academic issues
- Special passes
- Statutes and policies including the Student Conduct Statute
- Student support
- Students with disabilities
- Student Charter
- Student Contract
- Turnitin
- VUWSA