OLD Course Overview

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.