Syllabus for
GEOG 705.95 / PH770.07 / URBG 787
Spatial Analysis of Public Health
Issues in the Urban Environment
Fall 2006
Monday 5:35 – 8:10 PM
ICS Computer Lab Thomas Hunter Hall 403
Instructors (in alphabetical order): Jochen Albrecht, Tom Angotti, Jack Caravanos
Please see your respective department directory for contact details
Course Overview:
Research and policy analysis on urban health issues is increasingly
crossing disciplinary boundaries. The epidemics of asthma, diabetes, and
obesity, for example, have focused new attention on the role played by suburban
sprawl, transportation, building design, and energy policies, and the extent to
which they may contribute to pollution, environmental risks, and adverse health
impacts. New research on sustainability, environmental justice, and holistic
approaches to urban health links social and spatial elements of the
environment, public health and urban planning, and theory and practice.
Geographic Information Systems allow researchers and practitioners to better
understand spatial relationships, and disparities in urban health within and
among communities and cities.
This interdisciplinary
seminar brings together graduate students from the Hunter programs in
geography, urban health, and urban planning. Students will learn from and
discuss literature in other disciplines, and jointly undertake a workshop
project within
Required Textbook: None – but you will receive an extensive list of recommended readings.
Pre-requisites: Participants have to have at least 12 credits prior to their enrollment into this course.
Policies:
Attendance is crucial. Given that the class-learning environment is active learning, meaning that most of the student performance is practical assignments rather than tests, adherence to protocols and the course timetable is very important. Lateness in arriving at class, both lectures and laboratory/discussion sections will not be tolerated. Active involvement in the course is evidenced in part by undertaking the mechanics of the practical assignments systematically, and learning the tools by hours of practice. In so doing the tools soon come to be seen as a means to an end, rather than the end itself. For example, you will make many maps, and may get caught up in this creative activity, but remember that the maps are being made for particular scientific purposes. Class participation includes timely attendance at laboratory sessions, participation in organized class discussions, accomplishments of in-class tasks, accomplishment of the preliminary assignment on time
Plagiarism is simply not acceptable. Helping other students on use of the software is encouraged. However, do not help other students answer questions from the labs. Many of the problems have a "sample" problem, which includes the answer. The best way to help your fellow students is to work the sample problem. If a sample problem is not available, create an exercise similar to the problem in the lab and solve that problem. You can't actually learn this material unless you do the work yourself. Therefore, do not share your calculations or measurements with other students. You must do your own work (and it is easy to see when students copy work from other students). Students with labs showing copied work can receive failing grades.
Special accommodations for persons with disabilities are provided upon request. Please see the instructor if you feel the need for them.
Lab policies are described in detail in http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/computing/policies.html
Assignments are due one week after they are given in class. Late labs will be downgraded by one letter grade. Labs will not be accepted if greater than one week late. It is in your best interests to keep up with the work and meet deadlines for assignments. Incomplete grades and time extensions are not an option for this course. There are no "extra-credit" assignments. Unless otherwise instructed, you will submit assignments in electronic form. For all labs, you are expected to show all the work you did in order to complete the assignment. It is more important how you did the work, than whether you got the right answer. Partial credit will be given for good work but incorrect results.
Criteria for
Evaluation:
Evaluation of your performance in this course will consider both theoretical and project components, using the following breakdown:
Presentation on theory of own discipline 20%
Quiz on theory of other discipline 20%
Mid-semester project update 20%
Final project presentation 20%
Self and group critique 20%
Schedule:
Session
#
|
Date |
Topic |
|
1 |
09/06 |
Overview; presentation of project topics |
|
2 |
09/11 |
Theoretical background in Public Health; project management |
|
3 |
09/18 |
Theoretical background in Urban Planning; interview methods |
|
4 |
09/25 |
Theoretical background in Computational Geography; thematic mapping |
|
5 |
10/03 |
Data sources I: US Census and NYC Planning Department |
|
6 |
10/16 |
Data sources II: Geodata portals; lab exercise |
|
7 |
10/23 |
Community-based planning |
|
8 |
10/30 |
Mid-semester presentation of projects |
|
9 |
11/06 |
Geodatabases and geocoding – lecture and lab exercises |
|
10 |
11/13 |
Housing and community
development
|
|
11 |
11/20 |
PH topic I |
|
12 |
11/27 |
Spatial analysis: measures of accessibility – lecture and lab |
|
13 |
12/04 |
PH topic II |
|
14 |
12/11 |
Project presentations I |
|
15 |
12/18 |
Project presentations II |