Archaeological GIS / Dean Snow

This course is designed to meet two general goals at once. First, students are introduced to currently popular GIS software packages. They learn the basics of data input and analysis as well as techniques for importing GIS data from a variety of outside sources. The second goal is to instruct students in the design and execution of solutions to archaeological problems using GIS as an analytic tool.

The course has specific objectives related to its general goals. Those that are related primarily to the first goal are:

• Introduction to basic cartography
• Acquisition of basic digitizing skills
• Training in data base construction and management
• Development of basic skills using Arc-GIS
• Development of basic skills using MapInfo
• Development of skills in spatial analysis

Objectives relating to the second general course goal are:

• Development of competency in archaeological GIS research design
• Assembly of a set of spatial data (mapped objects) related to an archaeological data base
• Completion of a significant archaeological project using GIS
• Preparation of a poster session designed to explicate the findings of the project