Geographic Information Systems are combinations of data management and mapping software that allow users  to organize, query, and map multiple forms of spatial data such as road networks, lakes and streams, vegetation or soil types, land use, property ownership, zoning codes, elevations, or census tract data. In this class, students will learn how these systems work and will produce a series of maps, some from existing data and others from new data collected during the course with global positioning systems (GPS). In order to do this successfully, students will learn spatial analysis techniques, some principles of cartography, and will consider the ethical and social justice implications of the use of GIS and GPS technologies