
GEOG 885: ADVANCED ANALYTIC METHODS FOR THE GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONAL - An introduction to Structured Analytic Techniques in geospatial intelligence.
Prerequisites: Geography 882 NOTE: The student is advised, while not required, to take Geography 884 and Geography 883 prior to taking this course.
Why Geography 885? Geographic data and information technologies can be very effective in helping to answer certain kinds of questions, but the ultimate objective of all Geospatial Intelligence is to produce knowledge upon which a decision maker can act. How is the analysis and knowledge creation completed? We teach the scientific method, but few, if any, other methods are routinely taught in Geospatial Intelligence. What method does the typical geospatial analyst use to create knowledge outside the scientific method? I suggest that the intuitive method (make a bunch of maps, think about them for a bit, and then give it all to the boss) remains the predominate method for producing geospatial intelligence analysis. I call this the seat of the pants method (SPM), which has the well known tendency to permit a wide range of cognitive and systemic biases to corrupt the analytic product.
An analytic process is not complete with the output at the end of a technical workflow. Geographic information systems (GISs) in particular, and geospatial technologies in general, have become the preferred analysis tool for Geospatial Intelligence. GISs allow for the efficient and flexible storage, display, and sharing of spatial data, as well as a variety of quantitative spatial analysis models. The vast number of users include: federal, state and local governments and their agencies, private firms, non-profit organizations, grassroots and community groups, universities, and research institutes. Given this growth, importance of the technology, and its broad application, one might make two assumptions that:
- Geospatial Intelligence will play a central role in all decision making and,
- the analytic process is complete with the output at the end of technical workflow.
Unfortunately, neither assumption is necessarily true. Furthermore, the only way the first assumption has an opportunity of being true is if the geospatial analyst is intimately involved with the consumer of the knowledge, i.e., the decision maker, throughout the entire process. Even then, decision makers simplify a problem to the point where it becomes manageable, which may exclude important geospatial considerations.
GEOG 885 teaches the theory and practice behind the techniques of analysis in geospatial intelligence, with particular emphasis given to selecting and applying appropriate Structured Analytic Techniques (SAT) that meet the decision maker's needs. SAT, used singly or in combination, separate and logically organize the elements of a problem to enhance analysis and decisionmaking. Some structured methodologies, such as organized brainstorming techniques, complement the analyst’s intuition and facilitate creativity. In contrast, a non-structured approach is the "seat of the pants method" (SMP) I described above. Results developed using SMP do not have a demonstrative reasoning processes and cannot be adequately explained by the analyst with the available evidence.
What will be expected of you?
This course requires a minimum of 8-10 hours of student activity each week, depending on the speed at which you work. Included in the 10-12 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 discussion forums regularly. That's where students and instructors share comments, pose questions, and suggest answers. I strongly encourage you to get into the habit of logging in to the course Web site at least once a day to keep up with ongoing discussion. With only occasional exceptions, I check discussion forums 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 course schedule that is part of this syllabus (see "Course Schedule"). Due dates for assignments and activities will be posted on the Calendar tab in Canvas.
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.