Course # 38520 Section Number 1 Day(s) W Time(s) 3:00pm-5:50pm Term Fall 2025 Specialization Survey Research Syllabus Syllabus 2/14/24 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) refers to tools and techniques for handling, analyzing, and presenting spatial data. GIS has become a powerful tool for social sciences applications over the past thirty years, permitting lines of scientific inquiry that would not otherwise be possible. This course provides an introduction to GIS with a focus on how it may be applied to common needs in the social sciences, such as economics, sociology, and urban geography, as distinct from physical or environmental sciences. Students will learn basic GIS concepts as applied to specific research questions through lectures, lab exercises, and in-class demonstrations. Examples of the kinds of topics we will pursue include how we can use GIS to understand population trends, crime patterns, asthma incidence, and segregation in Chicago. Quarter Title Instructor Day(s) Time(s) Syllabus Spring 2025 GIS Applications in the Social Sciences Robert Shepard Monday 3:00pm-5:50pm Syllabus Recent News More news Q&A: Assistant Professor Erin Kelley on Her Work in Program Evaluation, International Development, and With the World Bank Wed., July 09, 2025 University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth Launch New Pathbreaking Master’s Program in Climate and Energy Policy Tue., July 08, 2025 Provost Katherine Baicker Appointed Emmett Dedmon Distinguished Service Professor Thu., July 03, 2025 Upcoming Events More events Get to Know Harris! Public Sector Scholarship: A Conversation with Ranjan Daniels Tue., July 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM Civic Leadership Academy 2026 Virtual Information Session Wed., July 16, 2025 | 12:00 PM Bridging Capital and Communities: Integrating Impact Investing, Real Estate Development, and Public Policy Thu., July 17, 2025 | 7:00 PM