Ph.D.

in Leadership & Policy

Course ID: ADS 807 (3 credit hours) Course Name: Geographic Information
Instructor: Dr. Yonghong Tong Systems and Research
E-mail: ytong@niagara.edu Phone: 716 286 8450
Class Meeting: 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5 Office Location: VINI-107F
Office Hours: Virtual Office Hours. General Education Designation: Graduate

Program Mission
To prepare doctorate-level qualified leaders who can implement systemic change to further
organizational and community goals in international, cross-disciplinary and diverse contexts.

Course Description
This course is a broad and intensive study of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Using this
extensive computer-based mapping software, students will learn the nature and models of spatial
data, organize, manage, and present such data, as well as plan, conduct, and present research.
Applications in various professional settings will be introduced and discussed. The course will
emphasize the use of GIS in administrative and policy making settings.

Method of Teaching
This course is framed within a constructivist perspective that embraces the belief that knowledge
is socially constructed. Learning is viewed as a developmental process that is enhanced when
students learn to view problems and issues from multiple perspectives, constructing knowledge
from their own interpretations numerous pieces of evidence. Teaching approaches are directed
toward open-ended inquiry, critical thinking and reflection and social interaction. Instructional
methods will include whole class and small group discussion, individual and cooperative
activities, presentations by instructors and classmates, Internet and library searches, observations
of instruction videos, and professional writing.

As a doctorate level course, students should expect to learn first from their own research,
reactions, and reflection; second from the insights of, and interactions with, their peers; and third
from the instructor.

Teaching methods include online lectures, discussions, presentations, hands-on exercise, and
research-related applications.

1
 Ph.D. in Leadership & Policy

This course will be divided into morning sessions and afternoon sessions. Most morning sessions
include lectures, discussions and presentations. The afternoon sessions will be held in a computer
lab, instructor will teach related software step-by-step, students will conduct hands-on exercise
and research-related applications.

Additionally, students will be required to complete a significant semester-long research project.

Lecture notes and other materials including projects and announcements will be provided in the
Canvas.

Student Learning Objectives

Students will learn:
● To learn basic GIS analysis
● To design a GIS-based application model
● To generate and display multiple kinds of maps using GIS software
● How businesses and organizations can use GIS to further their missions
● How GIS can be used to study and improve the conditions experienced by the poor and
oppressed members of our society
The following standards of the doctoral program will be emphasized in the course
● Standard 4: An organizational leader actively seeks to build the capacity of the
organization in order to solve local, national, and global problems through education,
training, mobilization of human and community resources, and collaboration with
external organizations.
● Standard 6: An organizational leader seeks to understand, respond to, and influence the
larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context through analysis and
evaluation of policy standards.
● Standard 8: An organizational leader develops and maintains humane and inclusive
organizations that address the root causes of social and structural inequalities.

Course Assessment
1. Weekly attendance and participation. 5%
2. GIS model design (report and presentation). 10%
3. Writing a critique 5%
4. Three GIS tutorials homework. 30% (3*10%)
5. Exam 10%
6. Final paper (paper and presentation) 40%
(Note: You are expected to use the APA Style for your course assignments.)

2
 Ph.D. in Leadership & Policy

Requirements of Course
Textbook (No)
References:
Tomlinson, R. (2003). Thinking about GIS Geographic Information Systems planning for
managers. Redlands, CA: ESRI.
Online Resource:
APA Guide: http://library.csus.edu/guides/blackmer/APAstyle.htm
QGIS: https://qgis.org/en/site
Student Activities/Project/Research
1. A study of current GIS research as relevant to the student’s area of interest. Expectations
for this assignment include:
a. Identifying a discipline or area of interest.
b. Collecting published articles related to that topic (minimum of 2).
c. Synthesizing and summarizing the research in 1 page (to be submitted to the
instructor).
d. Presenting a synthesis and summary of the research in class (approximately 10
minutes).

2. Completion of three GIS tutorial assignments. These assignments will be assigned in

class. It is essential that these assignments be turned in via Canvas on time, as they will
likely be discussed in class. These assignments should be completed individually.

3. A final research paper is to be centered on GIS. This paper should identify an area of
interest that is relevant to GIS. It is expected that the paper will include sections such as
an introduction, a methodology (with limitations if so applicable), results including maps
generated through GIS, and conclusions.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is considered an indication of professional commitment and responsibility. Students
are expected to attend all classes. Absences are permitted only for illness or serious personal
matters, A phone call, email message or note delivered to the instructor is required if you expect
to miss a class. However, students are expected to keep up with all material whether or not they
are physically in class. Absences may jeopardize a student’s course grade. Please see the grading
policy below for submitting late work.

3
 Ph.D. in Leadership & Policy

Grading Scale

97 – 100% A+ 87 – 89% B+ 77 – 79% C+ < 70% F

94 – 96% A 84 – 86% B 74 – 76% C
90 – 93% A- 80 – 83% B- 70 – 73% C-

Grading Policies and Procedures

1. All assignments must be submitted via Canvas and are due by the assigned deadline date and
time. No extra credit assignments will be given.
2. 50% will be deducted from an assignment turned in after the deadline and up to and
including the start of one class after the deadline. No credit will be given for an assignment
turned in after the start of the next class following the deadline.
3. Deadlines should be regarded as business appointments. If you have a valid excuse for
missing a deadline, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor (via phone, email or in
person) prior to the deadline.
4. Exams: Students are responsible for taking the exam at the time and date that they are
given. Make-ups for missed exams will not be given.

Note: All assignments are individual work

Academic Integrity
Academic honesty – being honest and truthful in academic settings, especially in the communication and
presentation of ideas – is required to experience and fulfill the mission of Niagara University. Academic
dishonesty – being untruthful, deceptive, or dishonest in academic settings in any way – subverts the
university mission, harms faculty and students, damages the reputation of the university, and diminishes
public confidence in higher education.

All members of the university community share the responsibility for creating conditions that support
academic integrity. Students must abstain from any violations of academic integrity and set examples for
each other by assuming full responsibility for their academic and personal development, including
informing themselves about and following the university's academic integrity policy.

Violations of academic integrity include but are not limited to the following categories: cheating;
plagiarism; fabrication; falsification or sabotage of research data; destruction or misuse of the university's
academic resources, alteration or falsification of academic records; academic misconduct; complicity; and
copyright violation. This policy applies to all courses, program requirements, and learning contexts in

4
 Ph.D. in Leadership & Policy

which academic credit is offered, including experiential and service-learning courses, study abroad
programs, internships, student teaching and the like.
Please refer to the catalog for Niagara University’s policy on academic integrity or access the policy
online, www.niagara.edu/academicintegrity.

Inclusivity, Diversity & Support for Students at Niagara University

Niagara University supports a learning environment that fosters inclusiveness where diversity is respected
and valued. It is expected that students in this class will respect differences and develop an understanding
of how other people’s perspectives, behaviors, and worldviews may be different from their own.

Students are always encouraged to meet with faculty as early as possible in the semester to discuss their
needs or concerns. Students may also seek additional assistance from a variety of resources available on
campus such as the Academic Success Center, counseling services, Accessibility Services, etc. For more
information on these resources, please visit http://mynu.niagara.edu/services

Reporting of Sexual Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Unlawful

Discrimination
The University’s Office for Equity & Inclusion (OEI) handles all matters involving allegations and
complaints of discrimination based on a protected category (see http://www.niagara.edu/oei for the
policy). Any student who believes they have been subjected to behavior that may constitute harassment,
discrimination, or retaliation is encouraged to report such concerns to the University’s Title IX
Coordinator and Civil Rights Officer at 716-286-8324.

5
Ph.D. in Leadership & Policy

SCHEDULE

No Date   Topic Assignment (Due)

1 07/08 Sat Introduction, Syllabus
Student Interest
GIS
GIS Research
Computer System, Software (Lab), QGIS
2 07/15 Sat GIS Research hw 1:Research
Research Proposal proposal
Data design
QGIS (Lab) - Interface Introduction Lab 1
QGIS (Lab) - Dealing with data
3 07/22 Sat Describe the information products hw 2: data preparation
Choose a logical data model
QGIS - mapping, visualization Lab 2
QGIS (Labs)
4 07/29 Sat Determine system requirement hw 3: Information
GIS research products
QGIS (Labs)
Lab 3

5 08/05 Sat Consider benefit-cost, migration, and risk analysis hw 4: Finding and
Plan the implementation and the Future of GIS discussion

Final Presentation

  08/26 Sat (no class)   hw 5: final paper due

*The instructor reserves the right to adjust these as required