See the Syllabus for the current instructor.
Dr. Mark Corson
(Fall 2 and Summer)
Mark Corson has been a professional educator for over 30 years. Mark is a Professor Emeritus of Geography at Northwest Missouri State University. Through a cooperative agreement with Penn State he authored and teaches "Geographic Foundations of Geospatial Intelligence" as the foundation course for the Penn State Graduate Certificate Program in Geospatial Intelligence. Mark received his Bachelor of Science degree in Government from the University of San Francisco and his Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Geography from the University of South Carolina. He also has a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. Mark began his teaching career in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York. Mark specializes in military and political geography. As a faculty member in the Emergency and Disaster Management Program at Northwest, Mark also taught: "Disaster Response and Recovery," "Emergency Management Planning," "Vulnerability and Mitigation," "Principles of Humanitarian Relief" and "Homeland Security and Defense."
Mark can be reached by phone at: (816) 294-2614. For email, please use the course email system in Canvas or mwc11@psu.edu [1] (link sends email). You can also email him at mcorson@me.com [2] (link sends email).
Meet Mark Corson, instructor of GEOG 882 (1:00 minutes).
Mr. Steve Handwerk
(Fall 1 and Spring 1)
Meet Mr. Steve Handwerk, instructor of GEOG 882 (1:41 minutes).
Dr. Gregory A. Thomas
Greg Thomas was in the law enforcement intelligence analysis field for the 26 years before coming to Penn State. Greg received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University, and a PhD in Administration and Leadership Studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His dissertation work focused on the role of state and local law enforcement in homeland security.
Greg is a lifetime Certified Criminal Analyst through the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts. He has published articles relating to organized crime, criminal intelligence analysis, and terrorism. In addition to teaching at Penn State, Greg has provided instruction for law enforcement intelligence analysts and is an adjunct instructor at Central Pennsylvania College, teaching criminal intelligence analysis courses.
Greg's framework for teaching this course is from an analytical perspective. He intends to show how geospatial intelligence can be used as a technique for analyzing data.
Greg can be reached by phone at: (814) 867-1471. For email, please use the course email system in Canvas or gat5@psu.edu [4]. For additional information about Greg, click here. [5]
Meet Greg Thomas, instructor of GEOG 882 (0:43 seconds).
Dr. Michael L. Thomas
(Spring 2)
Mike Thomas has been with the Federal Government in some capacity in technical and intelligence analysis field for over the past 30 years all over the world, primarily in Europe and Africa, but also in Asia and South America. His current duties are instructing full time as a Professor of Cyberwarfare Studies at the USAF Cyber College and USAF Air War College at Maxwell AFB. His previous assignment was as a Systems Engineer, and duties included designing and implementing intelligence based networks for various DoD users on behalf of Naval InfoWarfare Center (NIWC) LANT.
Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the State of New York, a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics & Statistics from the University of West Florida, a Master of Science in Military Arts and Sciences from the Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), a Master in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, an MSGIS from Penn State and lastly, finished a Doctorate in Information Systems while stationed at Georgia Tech. His military education includes completion of the Army Signal Officers Basic Course at Ft. Gordon, Ga, the Basic Communications Officers Course at Keesler AFB, MS, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College (AWC) at Maxwell AFB where he won the 2008 8th AF Award in Cyberspace Research. His specialty is how big data analysis can be used as a method for evaluating geospatial intelligence.
Currently the latest strategy for Cyberwarfare names four nation states, China, Russia, Iran and the DPRK as primary threats in the cyber domain. Now, more than ever, cyber has a "geo" component, from the four nations name previously to the whole concept of "Defending Forward." "Forward" is a direction and the nation states certainly correspond to places.
Many data sources not commonly thought of as having a "geo" context actually do have a "geo" reference on closer inspection.
Mike can be reached by phone at: (850) 814-7064. For email, please use the course email system in Canvas, mlt222@psu.edu [6] or mthomas304@yahoo.com [7].
Meet Mike Thomas, instructor of GEOG 882 (0:46 seconds).
GEOG 882: GEOGRAPHIC FOUNDATIONS OF GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE. Orientation to the geographic foundations of geospatial intelligence and its applications in national security and disaster management.
Prerequisites: Admission to the Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Geospatial Intelligence
GEOG 882 is the required first course in the Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Geospatial Intelligence. The program is designed specifically for current and aspiring geospatial intelligence professionals who are able to study only part-time and at a distance, and is offered exclusively through the World Campus.
Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) leverages geographic information science and technology (including cartography, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and global positioning systems) with intelligence tradecraft to develop intelligence products that support national security, disaster response, and international relief efforts.
GEOG 882 is designed to challenge current and aspiring GEOINT professionals to be more than technicians. Students who successfully complete GEOG 882 will appreciate that while geospatial technologies are useful in revealing "what, who, and where, and to some extent how" events are taking place, it is less useful in explaining "why" events occur, or what response is most appropriate. Students will learn that the political, cultural, historical, and economic perspectives of human geography are needed to put GEOINT analyses in context. The course will also challenge students to approach analyses critically, to consider alternative viewpoints and explanations, and to question their own assumptions.
What will be expected of you?
This course requires a minimum of 10 hours of student activity each week, depending on the speed at which you work. Included in the 10 hours each week is time to complete projects and related activities. You'll be glad to know that you don't have to show up for class at a certain time! All you need to do is complete the assignments before the published deadline at the end of the week.
You will need to check out the course message boards regularly. That's where students and instructors share comments, pose questions, and suggest answers. I strongly encourage you to get in the habit of logging in to the course Web site every day to check in on the class. With only occasional exceptions, I usually check message boards six days a week. You can be sure that I will read, but not necessarily respond to, every single message.
My colleagues and I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule, and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your fellow students.
For a more detailed look at what will be covered in each lesson, as well as due dates for our assignments and activities, please refer to the semester-specific course schedule that is part of this syllabus (see "Course Schedule").
For a more detailed look at what will be covered in each lesson, please refer to the semester-specific course schedule that is part of this syllabus (see "Course Schedule"). For due dates for our assignments and activities please refer to the Calendar tab in ANGEL.
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
Students who excel in this course are able to:
Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
In order to take this course, you need to have the required course materials and an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password (used to access the on-line course resources). Approximately two weeks prior to the course start date the World Campus will mail a Course Welcome Letter to you that includes detailed information about how to begin.
If you do not receive the Course Welcome Letter, please contact the World Campus' Student Services group immediately so that they can send you the information you need. They can be reached at 1-800-252-3592 in the US or internationally at 814-865-5403 ( country code 1). You may reach them by e-mail at psuwd@psu.edu [8].
There are two required texts for this course, which should be purchased from your favorite bookseller. Please be sure that you purchase the correct editions.
Using Penn State Library Resources
Many of Penn State's library resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Library Resources and Services for World Campus and Distance Education [10] site, you can...
NOTE: You must be registered with the University Libraries in order to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and services. You can register at the following URL https://sserver3.libraries.psu.edu/libraries/tas/ill/REGIS.HTM [11]. Registration and services are free.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
Students earn grades that reflect the extent to which they achieve the learning objectives listed above. Opportunities to demonstrate learning include:
My point scheme and grading scale are shown below.
Point Scheme
|
||
3 quizzes on readings | 40 points each | 120 points |
2 online certifications | 40 points each | 80 points |
1 online certification | 20 points (Extra Credit) | 20 points (Extra Credit) |
4 graded discussion forums | 125 points each | 500 points |
2 reflection papers | 150 points each | 300 points |
Total | 1000 points |
Grading Scale
|
||
A
|
Above 90% | 900 points and above |
A -
|
87.5 - 89.9% | 875 - 899 points |
B +
|
85.0 - 87.4% | 850 - 874 points |
B
|
80.0 - 84.9% | 800 - 849 points |
B -
|
77.5 - 79.9% | 775 - 799 points |
C +
|
75.0 - 77.4% | 750 - 774 points |
C
|
70.0 - 74.9% | 700 - 749 points |
D
|
60.0 - 69.9% | 600 - 699 points |
F
|
59.9% or below | 599 points and below |
Participation will be considered in grading for those whose final course grade is close to the next letter grade.
To view your grades during the semester you need to do the following:
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
Below you will find a summary of the learning activities for this course and the associated time frames. This course is 10 weeks in length, with an orientation week at the start of the course. Each lesson is one week long.
Objectives - After completing the Orientation you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 01 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 02 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 03 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 04 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 05 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 06 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 07 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 08 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 09 you should be able to:
Assignments
Objectives - After completing Lesson 10 you should be able to:
Assignments
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
Penn State e-Mail Accounts
All official communications from the Penn State World Campus are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail [29] to your preferred email account, so you don't miss any important information.
Deferred Grades
If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by email or US post) to your instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. It is up to your instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If for any reason the course work for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript. See the University Policies on Deferred Grades [30] for further information.
Academic Integrity
Please read the Academic Integrity Guide section of the Resources block after you have read through the complete syllabus.
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the instructor in advance of your participation.
Netiquette
The term "Netiquette" refers to the etiquette guidelines for electronic communications, such as e-mail and bulletin board postings. Netiquette covers not only rules to maintain civility in discussions, but also special guidelines unique to the electronic nature of forum messages. Please review Virginia Shea's "The Core Rules of Netiquette [31]" for general guidelines that should be followed when communicating in this course.
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
For this course we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on our "Program Technical Requirements [32]" page, located at
https://gis.e-education.psu.edu/gis/techspecs [32].
Not sure if your computer is set up correctly? You can use the links below to test some of your basic browser settings:
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the World Campus Help Desk [38].
Disclaimer: Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. Changes will be posted to the course message board.
Links
[1] mailto:mwc11@psu.edu
[2] mailto:mcorson@me.com
[3] https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
[4] mailto:gat5@psu.edu
[5] http://gregoryathomas.weebly.com/
[6] mailto:mlt222@psu.edu
[7] mailto:mthomas304@yahoo.com
[8] mailto:psuwd@psu.edu
[9] http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=550&CategoryID=55
[10] http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/world/
[11] https://sserver3.libraries.psu.edu/libraries/tas/ill/REGIS.HTM
[12] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/trailer.php
[13] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog882/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.geog882/files/file/Critical%20Thinking%20What%20it%20is%20and%20why%20it%20counts_0.pdf
[14] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode1/complete
[15] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography#Physical_geography
[16] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode3/chapter1
[17] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode3/chapter2
[18] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode1/chapter4
[19] http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NRP_FullText.pdf
[20] http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont5448_lang0_2006.pdf
[21] http://www.house.gov/science/hearings/research05/nov%2010/cutter.pdf
[22] http://understandingkatrina.ssrc.org
[23] http://www.russellsage.org/news/060515.528528
[24] http://pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/storm/view/#morelink
[25] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode2/complete
[26] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode3/chapter3
[27] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/episode3/chapter4
[28] http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu
[29] http://kb.its.psu.edu/article/1190
[30] http://www.psu.edu/dus/handbook/dfgrade.html
[31] http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html
[32] https://gis.e-education.psu.edu/gis/techspecs
[33] https://courseware.e-education.psu.edu/courses/geog882/content/acrobat.html
[34] https://courseware.e-education.psu.edu/courses/geog882/content/cookies.html
[35] https://courseware.e-education.psu.edu/courses/geog882/content/FrameParent.html
[36] https://courseware.e-education.psu.edu/courses/geog882/content/applet.html
[37] https://courseware.e-education.psu.edu/courses/geog882/content/JavaScript.html
[38] http://tech.worldcampus.psu.edu/