SOC 31958

About this course

Mapping is a powerful way of analyzing and displaying data. With online mapping platforms, users can access and analyze social data collected by government agencies and private organizations. Using such publicly accessible data, researchers can examine, for example, demographic patterns and trends, housing and homelessness, educational attainment and outcomes, income, employment and poverty, and health outcomes and access to medical care. This course introduces how to use open access online mapping platforms such as Social Explorer, PolicyMap, the Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool, and Data2Go.NYC to assess housing vulnerability and segregation, gender inequality, social mobility, food security, health disparities, and environmental racism within US neighborhoods and communities. Although this course primarily focuses upon New York City and other large US metropolitan areas, urban-rural disparities in quality of life and social conditions will also be considered. Although no software is required, students need access to a laptop or tablet to complete required assignments.