Introduction to Computers in Public Management II

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Abstract/Syllabus

Courseware/Lectures

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Introduction to Computers in Public Management II

January (IAP) 2002

Introduction to computers in public management (11.208) logo. (Logo courtesy of Urban Studies and Planning.)

Course Highlights

This course features a complete set of lecture and lab notes, which include a number of screenshots for sessions focused on teaching students how to use software. Sample homework assignments are also available. This course is offered during the Independent Activities Period (IAP), which is a special 4-week term at MIT that runs from the first week of January until the end of the month.

Course Description

Second of two modules facilitating a basic understanding of computing in planning and public management. Students develop problem-solving skills using computer-based tools for "what-if'' analyses. Emphasis on spatial analysis using geographic information systems and database query tools.

Syllabus

The second module of 11.207/11.208, Introduction to Computers in Public Management, will consist of four days of lectures and laboratory exercises. There will be a single homework assignment. This course will acquaint you with additional computer-based methods that are becoming widely used in the planning world. Specifically, you will learn how to build and use databases (data input and output, querying, and relational database design) and create clear, factual maps from demographic data. We will teach these by means of numerous examples and hands-on experience. Through class discussions and guest lectures, we will also engage your thinking on the issues and competence involved in analyzing large volumes of tabular and geographic data to address real world planning questions or issues. You should work individually on the exercises and turn in the maps and lab assignments to the lab monitors. If we are short machines and some of you have to work in pairs, be sure that each of you spends some time controlling the mouse/keyboard while the group does the exercise! For the homework set, small-group discussion of the concepts and general procedures needed for the homework questions is okay (and encouraged). But each individual must turn in their own individual homework set based on 'hands-on' work that they did personally. Timely completion of the problem set is required to avoid any reduction in the homework set grade.

Grading

Grades will be based on a combination of completed Lab Exercises and the final Problem Set. The Lab Exercises are designed as hands-on learning opportunities to be completed during the lab sessions. Each completed lab exercise counts toward the course grade. The Problem Set will be posted by Friday of the first week. Students will have approximately one week to submit answers. Problem Set grades are based on correct answers as well as presentation (i.e., map design).

Collaboration Policy

We will try to provide each student with an individual computer on which to work during the labs. In some cases, students may be required to double up on one computer. In these cases, we encourage sharing the effort as much as possible. Regardless, students are expected to submit their own individual lab assignments and final homework. However, during lab exercises we do encourage students to discuss the questions and collaborate on solving the problems. For the homework set, group discussion of the concepts and procedures needed for the homework questions is okay (and encouraged). You will also find that discussing homework problems with others is usually more useful than doing it all on your own. But you must turn in you own individual homework set based on 'hands-on' work that you did personally. If we find that your explanations are exactly like someone else's you will have to share the points on that problem!

Calendar

Ses #	Topics
Lecture 1	Introduction To 11.208 And Thematic Mapping Producing and printing thematic maps
Lab A	Building and printing a simple map from database tables and boundary files
Lecture 2	Crime Case Study and Elementary Database Management Case study in analytic mapping Getting data into a database (data import, entry) Simple queries on a database (selecting fields and records, simple aggregation) Getting data out of the database (data export)
Lab B	Essential database operations: data input, simple queries, output.
Lecture 3	Making Sense Of The Census, Part I The 1990 Census of Population and Housing Tools to extract census data Using census data: normalization, comparisons over time
Lecture 4	Introduction To Relational Databases, Part I Introduction to the relational model Intermediate queries: aggregation functions (grouping), multi-table queries
Lab C	Build and run queries on survey data and urban management records
Lecture 5	Making Sense Of The Census, Part II The 1990 Census of Population and Housing Tools to extract census data Using census data: normalization, comparisons over time
Lab D	Extracting Census data from STF files
Lecture 6	Principles Of Relational Databases, Part II Problem Set handed out prior day. Elements of database design The relational model of data including "One-to-many" relationships among data tables Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)
Lecture 7	Database Management In Planning An overview of planning uses of database management, both now and in the future.
Lab E	Lab session emphasizing Census data and applying the relational model
Lecture 8	Preparing Effective Maps Tips on preparing maps that communicate accurately, clearly, and persuasively
Lab F	Enhancing the accuracy, clarity and persuasiveness of the map
Lecture 9	Spatial Analysis And Internet Overview Introduction to Internet and GIS mapping resources Web mapping resources
Lab G	Integrating orthophotos with census data
Project Demo	Exhibition Of Planning Software And PSS Research Demonstrations of software tools for mapping and spatial analysis
Lecture 10	Course Summary Introduction to geographical information systems and course summary
Panel Discussion

Readings

Ses #	Topics	Readings
Lecture 1	Introduction To 11.208 And Thematic Mapping Producing and printing thematic maps	Hutchinson, Scott and Larry Daniel. Inside ArcView GIS. Albany, NY: OnWord Press, 2000. (read Chapter 1: "Introducing ArcView" and Chapter 3: "Getting Started: Projects and Views") Monmonier, Mark S. How to Lie with Maps. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1991. (read "Elements of the Map" and Chapter 2) Bossard, Earl G. and Haiyan Zhang. "Loosely Coupled PC Programs as a Framework for Spatial Analysis." URISA 1993 Annual Conference Proccedings 3 (1993): 38-47.
Lab A	Building and printing a simple map from database tables and boundary files
Lecture 2	Crime Case Study and Elementary Database Management Case study in analytic mapping Getting data into a database (data import, entry) Simple queries on a database (selecting fields and records, simple aggregation) Getting data out of the database (data export)	Ferreira, J. "Spatial Patterns of Property Crimes and Socio-Economic Characteristics." (1986). Lewis, S. "Data, Computers and Planners." Ferreira, J. "Database Management Tools for Planning." Journal of the American Planning Association 56, no. 1 (1990): 78-84. MSQuery Manual: Introduction and Excerpts
Lab B	Essential database operations: data input, simple queries, output.
Lecture 3	Making Sense Of The Census, Part I The 1990 Census of Population and Housing Tools to extract census data Using census data: normalization, comparisons over time	U.S. Census Bureau. "Introduction to 1990 Census Products." U.S. Census Bureau. "Census '90 Basics."
Lecture 4	Introduction To Relational Databases, Part I Introduction to the relational model Intermediate queries: aggregation functions (grouping), multi-table queries	Trimble, J. Harvey and David Chappell. Introducing SQL. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1989. ISBN: 0471616842. (read Chapter 1, pp. 74-104, 124-137 of A Visual Introduction to SQL)
Lab C	Build and run queries on survey data and urban management records
Lecture 5	Making Sense Of The Census, Part II The 1990 Census of Population and Housing Tools to extract census data Using census data: normalization, comparisons over time	Hutchinson and Daniel, Chapter 6: "Data Queries," and pp. 78-81 ("Joining Tables," "Joining vs. Link")
Lab D	Extracting Census data from STF files
Lecture 6	Principles Of Relational Databases, Part II Problem Set handed out prior day. Elements of database design The relational model of data including "One-to-many" relationships among data tables Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)
Lecture 7	Database Management In Planning An overview of planning uses of database management, both now and in the future.	NSDI: The National Spatial Data Infrastructure Ferreira, J. "Informating the Dialogue between Public Agencies and Low-Income Communities." Ferreira, J. "Information Technologies that Change Relationships Between Low-income Communities and the Public and Non-Profit Agencies that Serve Them." In High Technology and Low-Income Communities: Prospects for the Positive Use of Advanced Information Technology, eds. Donald A. Schön, Bish Sanyal, and William J. Mitchell. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1998.
Lab E	Lab session emphasizing Census data and applying the relational model
Lecture 8	Preparing Effective Maps Tips on preparing maps that communicate accurately, clearly, and persuasively	Hutchinson and Daniel, Chapter 5: "Displaying Data." Wood, D. "Are Maps Sending Society in the Wrong Direction?" (1993). Monmonier, M. "Data Maps: Making Nonsense of the Census." Chapter 9 of How to Lie with Maps.
Lab F	Enhancing the accuracy, clarity and persuasiveness of the map
Lecture 9	Spatial Analysis And Internet Overview Introduction to Internet and GIS mapping resources Web mapping resources	The NCGIA Core Curriculum: NCGIA Core Curriculum in GISci Marble, D. "The Potential Methodological Impact of Geographical Information Systems." (1990). Levine J., and Landis, J. "Geographic Information Systems for Local Planning." Journal of the American Planning Association (Spring 1989): 209-220.
Lab G	Integrating orthophotos with census data
Project Demo	Exhibition Of Planning Software And PSS Research Demonstrations of software tools for mapping and spatial analysis
Lecture 10	Course Summary Introduction to geographical information systems and course summary
Panel Discussion		Drucker, P.F. "Drucker on Management: Be Data Literate -- Know What to Know." Wall Street Journal, December 1, 1992. Harris, B. "Beyond Geographic Information Systems: Computers and the Planning Professional." Journal of the American Planning Association (1989): 55, 85-90. Zuboff, S. "Informate the Enterprise: an Agenda for the 21st Century." National Forum (1991).