Winter 2005/2006 |
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Think Globally, Act Regionally
Applying GIS in Higher Education Social Science and Public Policy Research Methods Courses |
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Written by Richard LeGates, professor of urban studies at San Francisco State University, California, the book's heavily illustrated 12 chapters help students see how geospatial thinking can make a difference in a broad range of social science and public policy disciplines. The book works well as a monthlong module, and the structured exercises using data on an accompanying CD-ROM can be completed in approximately six hours of computer lab time. "The premise of this book is that space is an important dimension in most real-world issues that concern social scientists and students of public policy," LeGates states."However, except for geographers, these scientists and students often neglect the spatial aspect of issues." Part 1 of the book deals with broad themes of urbanization, GIS, and data visualization, with an introduction to vector GIS. Part 2 surveys raster GIS, looks at multivariate data graphics, and explores themes relating to the balance between built and natural environments. Part 3 discusses issues of spatial equity and regional integration using GIS and data visualization and includes an overview of symbolizing map features, creating map layouts, and using effective graphic communication. Part 4 is a look at regional planning in metropolitan Portland, Oregon. LeGates explores how MetroPortland's regional planning organizationused GIS to develop its important 2040 Growth Concept plan. Think Globally, Act Regionally: GIS and Data Visualization for Social Science and Public Policy Research (ISBN 1-58948-124-0, 538 pages) has a list price of $64.95 and is available at better bookstores, online from Esri Press (www.esri.com/esripress/tgar), or by calling 1-800-447-9778. Outside the United States, please contact your local Esri distributor. |