TITLE AND NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENT: A critical essay on a GIS social application (assignment one) Assessment: On successful completion of this assignment you will have demonstrated (unit learning outcomes): 1. Practically demonstrate how GIS can be used to solve problems in social applications, 2. Communicate effectively methodological techniques and data analysis in a professional manner. 3. Transferable skills: problem solving – application of GIS in simulated and real-world scenarios. Assignment 1 is an individual essay based assessment that aims to develop and examine your research skills including literature engagement, and critical evaluation and writing. In this assignment, you are required to write an essay on how GIS methods and technologies have been successfully applied to measure, analyze and model multiple deprivations. The essay should cover explanation of main concepts, methods of spatial analysis, methods of data collection, main GIS analysis processes, and critical evaluation of selected case studies (strengths and weaknesses of the GIS applications). At least 20 journal papers should be appropriately cited. o Where an investigation into social, economic, political and cultural characteristics and phenomena is required, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide a powerful tool. For social applications such as crime mapping and healthcare resource management, GIS can be used effectively to help model, monitor and enable (spatial) decision making based on existing criteria. Social systems are often highly organized and complex – GIS allows this complexity to be effectively distilled into an abstraction representing the most causally related behavior. This unit introduces case study examples of how GIS can be used in social applications and seeks to critically evaluate their potential value. On successful completion of this unit YOU will be able to have attained or demonstrated: 1. An explanation of how GIS has been used for social applications in the past, 2. Critically assess the value of GIS for a variety of social applications, 3.. Practically demonstrate how GIS can be used to solve problems in social applications, 4. Communicate effectively methodological techniques and data analysis in a professional manner. 5. Transferable skills: Problem Solving – application of GIS in simulated and real-world scenarios. Resources and Starter References: Refer to reading list and supporting files attached. The following academic journals are supposed to be helpful for writing your essay: - International Journal of GIS - Landscape and Urban Planning - Computer, Environment and Urban System - Journal of Transport Geography - Transport Policy - Cities - International Journal of Health Geographics - Environment and Planning a and b - Transactions in GIS - Social Science and Medicine - Professional Geographer Assessment criteria/Marking scheme/Grade descriptors: Please read and adhere to attached guidelines. (add these to this cover sheet) WORD LIMIT: 2,500 words (excluding reference list and figs/tables) WORD PROCESSED PENALTIES FOR OVER LONG SUBMISSIONS Coursework that exceeds stated word limit will be penalized according to the following scheme: - If your work exceeds the stated word/page limit by more than 10% your mark will be reduced by 10% (ie one degree class). - If your work exceeds the stated word/page limit by more than 30% your mark will be capped at 50%. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Assignments MUST be submitted on March 18, 2015. - Health and Place