Professionalism and Ethics in Geographic Information Science and Technology

Catalog description

Professional practice and ethics in the Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T, a.k.a. geospatial) field requires being both competent in one's work and reflective about its legal and ethical implications. Certified GIS&T professionals are required to affirm their commitment to legal and ethical practice. Fulfilling such commitments requires the ability to recognize and analyze legal and ethical problems and to act with integrity. In this course students investigate the nature of professions generally and the characteristics of the professions that occupy the GIS&T field in particular. Students gain awareness of pertinent legal and ethical issues and hone their moral reasoning skills through methodical analyses of case studies in relation to the GIS Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct. Assignments include readings, case study analyses, interactive discussions, practitioner interviews and preparation of original case studies.