Course Syllabus

PDF of Syllabus

Contact Information

Instructors	Telephone	Email
Todd Fagin, PhD.	(405) 325-4700	tfagin@ou.edu
Scott McThompson		mcthompson@ou.edu

Office	Office Hours
235 South Campus Bldg. 134 (OBS)	By Appointment (See below)
SEC	Virtual Office Hours (See below)

Live Session: T/R 9:00-10:15

Zoom link (T/A Virtual Office Hours M/W 10:00 - 11:00)

https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/95557141154?pwd=TGFaQWxSbWszdFVsZVdwVjNpek4zZz09

Meeting ID: 955 5714 1154

Password: 45486355

Course Overview

Spatial Thinking, according to the National Geographic Network for Geographic Education, is the ability to visualize, interpret, and reason using location, distance, direction, relationships, movement, and changes in space. We utilize spatial thinking in our everyday lives as we navigate from one location to another, as we construct mental maps of our surroundings, or as we try to understand the relationships between certain phenomena. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a tool with which we can explore complex spatial phenomena. It can be used to answer questions fundamental to spatial thinking, such as what is located where; why is it located where it is; and what’s the significance thereof?

The goal of this class is to serve as a broad introduction to GIS and related technologies, both to enhance our spatial thinking and to demonstrate how spatial thinking is a prerequisite to the use of such technologies. Key learning objectives include:

Representation of real world phenomena in a digital environment
Transformation of objects on a spherical planet to a plane
Understanding geographic and projected coordinate systems
Managing information related to the geographic phenomena
Utilizing existing and creating new geospatial datasets

Course Design

It is the firm belief of the instructor that the only way to truly learn GIS is by actually doing GIS. In keeping with this maxim, the instructor believes an ideal GIS class should be structured to maximize student use of various spatial technologies. The class is designed to guide students through the trajectory of spatial thinking in order to be knowledgeable GIS practitioners.

In order to maximize the use of geospatial technologies to enhance our awareness of the spatial phenomena, in-class time will be spent utilizing GIS and related software. Background information will be provided in the form of readings and a series of pre-recorded “mini-lectures.” Students are required to come to each class prepared to discuss the topics at hand and to perform the tasks presented. Attendance is a must!!!

Nonetheless, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this class is structured to be flexible. The instructors will work to accommodate the needs and concerns of students within the University and Department guidelines for an in-person class. If conditions necessitate a change to fully online learning (University-level decision), we are prepared to make this transition as seamless as possible.

This class meets twice a week and will consist of instructor led discussions, student led discussions, in-class exercises, application demonstrations, and more. Students are expected to come to each class prepared to discuss the topic at hand. This will require completion of all assigned mini-lectures (see below), readings, and associated exercises prior to class. Participation in discussions is mandatory and, by extension, attendance is absolutely crucial.

In order to maximize class discussion and to address the ongoing pandemic, the instructor has pre-recorded a number of so-called mini-lectures (typically 5 to 10 minutes each) related to course topics. Students are to watch assigned mini-lectures prior to attending class. Class-time will then be spent reviewing and reinforcing these concepts and put them to practice.

Additionally, to help gain a better insight into the use of GIS in a variety of disciplines, students will be assigned small groups (3 to 4 individuals) and select GIS-related article or blog entries to discuss in class. Topics are completely open-ended subject to the following criteria: 1. Article or blog entries must have a GIS component; 2. Articles or blog entries are related to GIS application in a given field (rather than broad theory); 3. Articles or blog entries are timely.

Towards the beginning of the semester, each group will be assigned a tentative day to lead a discussion on the article or blog entries. This is not a formal presentation and your fellow classmates will be required to participate in the discussion. The instructor will also serve as a discussion co-leader. A week prior to the discussion, the discussion group will distribute the selected article (preferably in PDF format, if possible) or URLs to the blog entries to the class. The article or blog entries do not need to be pre-approved by the instructor and would ideally be related to a topic of interest to the discussion leaders. See supplemental material for additional guidelines

Course Materials

Textbook:

None

Weekly readings will be provided by instructor or fellow students and posted to Canvas. We will be reading and discussing research articles and GIS-related blog entries throughout the semester.

Ancillary Readings

As assigned by the instructor.

Grading

Class participation (discussions, attendance, in-class assignments): 50%
Mini-projects: 40% (4 @ 10%)
Final project: 10%

There are no quizzes or tests. This class is 100% hands-on in one way or another so class attendance is a must. The final project will include a presentation that serves as the course’s “final exam.”

Grading scale: A: 90% or more, B: 80-89.99%, C: 70-79.99%, D: 60-60.99%, and F: less than 60%.

All assignments should be submitted by the due date. The late submission penalty is 5% per day. All assignments are to be submitted into appropriate “dropboxes” on Canvas

Holiday and Vacation Days

Spring Vacation: Cancelled

Final Exam Date

Friday May 14, 2021 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Office Hours

The instructor’s office is located on South Campus in office 235 South Campus Bldg. 134 (Oklahoma Biological Survey). However, due to COVID-19 protocols, the instructor spends limited time in this office and primarily telecommutes. The University also has restrictions on the number of individuals in an office at a time. As a result, all in-person office hours are by appointment only. Virtual office hours will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 am on Monday and Wednesdays. Students must contact the instructor via email and, if desired, a Zoom call will be initiated. Students are free to contact the instructor via email at any time. However, replies may be delayed and there is no guarantee a Zoom call can be setup at a requested time outside of virtual office hours.

Generalized Course Outline

Subject to constant revisions as needed

Unit	Topic Description	Week
	Introduction to Spatial Thinking	1
1	Data Models Overview	2
1	Building a Geodatabase	3
1	Data Models Mini-Project	4
2	Coordinate Systems and Map Projections	5
2	Picking the Correct Map Projection	6
2	Aligning Data	7
2	Map Projections Mini-Project	8
3	Attribute Data Management	9
3	Database Concepts	10
3	Data Classification	11
3	Attribute Data Mini-Project	12
4	Data Capture: Existing and New Data	13
4	Data Capture: GNSS and Mobile GIS	14
4	Aerial Photography and Satellite Imagery	15
	Final Project	16

Masking

As outlined by the University of Oklahoma¹s Chief COVID Officer, until further notice, employees, students, and visitors of the OU community will be mandated to wear masks (1.) when they are inside University facilities and vehicles and (2.) when they are outdoors on campus and social distancing of at least six feet is not possible. For the well-being of the entire university community it is important that everyone demonstrate the appropriate health and safety behaviors outlined in the University Mandatory Masking Policy (https://www.ou.edu/coronavirus/masking-policy). As this mandate includes all campus classrooms, please make sure you are wearing your mask while in class. If you do not have a mask or forgot yours, see the professor for available masks. If you have an exemption from the Mandatory Masking Policy, please see the professor to make accommodations before class begins. If and where possible, please make your professor aware of your exemption and/or accommodation prior to arriving in class.

If a student is unable or unwilling to wear a mask and has not made an accommodation request through the ADRC, they will be instructed to exit the classroom.

Additionally, our classroom/lab (M104) is designated as a lab and has additional departmental and University procedures:

All students, faculty, and staff must wear full personal protective equipment at all times while in the classroom. This includes a mask, googles and gloves.
The students are responsible for bringing their own masks and googles to class. DGES will provide the gloves.
Please email the students in your class so they are aware that they will need to obtain both googles and a mask before the start of the semester.
There will be boxes of gloves at each entrance to the room. Please make sure that the students pick up the gloves in a socially distanced manner before the start of class.
Each instructor and TA will also be provided a few extra googles and masks to provide to those students that do not have them. Please collect the googles at the end of class as they can be cleaned and reused.
At the end of class, please hand out sanitizing wipes (to be provided in the labs) for the students to wipe down the computer keyboard, mouse, and their table space.
At the end of class, please dismiss the students by row or some other similar manner so as to space out the students leaving the classroom.

University Academic Policies and Student Support

Course Catalog

Search the OU Course Catalog.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Copyright Policy

Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class, or upload them to any other online environment.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is one of the most important aspects of education at the University of Oklahoma. Therefore, if you are suspected of cheating or plagiarism, you will be formally charged with academic misconduct under the terms of the Student Code, copies of which are available at the Office of the Vice President for Students Affairs. You may not turn in work for this class that has been researched or completed for another class. See me if you have any questions concerning the meaning of academic dishonesty.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Religious Observances

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Students with Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.

Title IX Resources

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.

Final Exam Preparation Period

Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU’s Final Exam Preparation Period policy (https://apps.hr.ou.edu/FacultyHandbook#4.10).

Emergency Protocol

During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.

Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather 1. LOOK for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances 2. SEEK refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building. 3. GO to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows. 4. GET IN, GET DOWN, COVER UP. 5. WAIT for official notice to resume normal activities.

Link to Severe Weather Refuge Areas , Severe Weather Preparedness - Video

Armed Subject/Campus Intruder: If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:

1.GET OUT: If you believe you can get out of the area WITHOUT encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911. 2. HIDE OUT: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room. 3. TAKE OUT: As a last resort fight to defend yourself.

For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/emergencypreparedness.html

Shots Fired on Campus Procedure - Video

Fire Alarm/General Emergency: If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates: 1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators. 2. KNOW at least two building exits 3. ASSIST those that may need help 4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area 5 ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues. 6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.

OU Fire Safety on Campus

Mental Health Support Services

If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019.

To schedule an appointment call (405) 325-2911.

For more information please visit http://www.ou.edu/ucc.