What can you do with a minor in HSGI?
By combining a minor in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence (HSGI) with any major, you can use location-based analytics to gather, interpret and implement actionable intelligence to promote human security.
This minor is relevant to any undergraduate aspiring to work within the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. State Department, and related U.S. and international support agencies; humanitarian organizations; and global health entities.
Meet some alumni with an HSGI minor
Anoushka Chandra, B.S. Business Administration, HSGI minor ’23
There are three aspects that I strive to include in my career: to be global, to use technology to create value and to help those in need.
At USC I majored in Business Administration with a minor in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence. This combination prepares me for a future that checks all three of these boxes, as I hope to use spatial analysis in financial modeling.
It’s crises like COVID-19 that highlight the interconnectedness of human security, geopolitics and financial markets. The effect of global pandemics on stock markets can be brought to life through maps and spatial data analysis. My HSGI minor included classes on natural disasters, project management and spatial reasoning. This major definitely equipped me with critical skills that are required to tackle global problems, using spatial technology and to help those in need.
In my first full-time job at JPMorgan Chase in the Los Angeles (DTLA) office as a middle market banking and specialized industries analyst, I’m excited to use the skills I learnt in the HSGI program about decision advantages and different types of intelligence and information gathering in this experience.
Mia Poynor, B.A. Health and Human Sciences, HSGI minor, Spatial Studies minor ’20
LOREM IPSUM
Alanna Schenk, B.A. International Relations, HSGI minor ’19
I have always been intrigued by the workings of the international system and what constitutes humanitarian intervention, human rights, conflict trends, and resolution. Human rights violations take place everywhere as a result of political, structural, and systemic violence. Additionally, solutions to these problems often seem unattainable. My interest is to help recognize and ameliorate these human rights violations through geospatial technologies. Specifically, I am interested in how geographic technologies and satellite-based reports can be used in support of humanitarian operations during both armed conflicts and natural disasters.
As an International Relations major, I find the use of geospatial information by UN decision makers, NGOs, and international organizations in creating solutions for peace and humanitarian relief fascinating. International Relations, with the addition of a technical skill like GIS, is incredibly valuable in the job market. Furthermore, the skills gained from the Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence minor aren’t limited to human rights and can be applied to a variety of subjects including the environment and preparing for natural disasters. As a technical field, GIS is what almost every profession needs as analytics and data interpretation are becoming increasingly important. Additionally, sharing research findings via charts and maps is a creative outlet that I have thoroughly enjoyed during my time at USC.
CURRICULUM
4 units of lower-division elective (choose one below):
-
Gateway to the majors and minors in Environmental Studies. Provides students with an overview of how government agencies and societal institutions address (or fail to address) the interrelated social and scientific aspects of environmental problems and policies.
-
Impact of civilization on planet earth, and impact of earth’s natural evolution on society: earthquakes, volcanism, landslides, floods, global warming, acid rain, groundwater depletion and pollution; mineral and fossil fuel depletion, formation of the ozone hole.
-
The changing character of contemporary international political issues from the Cold War to the future and U.S. foreign policy options for the future; exploration of competing perspectives.
-
Basic concepts of world affairs for non-majors. Development of competency to understand and critically evaluate global relations and international events, stressing empirical approaches.
-
Comprehensive introduction to contending theoretical and analytical approaches; development of critical, evaluative, cognitive, and analytical competencies regarding historical and contemporary issues.
-
Modern political ideologies; their assumptions, perceptions, and prescriptions regarding political stability and social injustice: anarchism, communism, socialism, liberalism, conservatism, and fascism.
-
Gateway to the major in political science. Comparative analysis of political institutions and processes in selected industrial, developing and socialist countries, in terms of contrasting ideologies, parties, elites, and economies.
-
Interaction between law and politics; overview of the American legal system; value conflicts and public policy questions which arise within it.
-
Overview of human rights controversies across the globe. Introduction to techniques of analysis for social issues, interdisciplinary research methods, and interpretation of complex political problems.
-
Theories and case studies of conflict and coexistence between cultures, civilizations and ethnic groups in the context of the countervailing force of Western socio-economic globalization.
-
A comparative analysis of multi-ethnic societies through case studies of inter-ethnic conflict and coexistence, conflict resolution, prevention of genocide and defense of human rights.
-
The role of formal reasoning, abstract representation and empirical analysis in building maps for sharing knowledge across the physical, life and social sciences and humanities.
-
The influence of sustainability science on public policy and vice versa in the context of social/ethical theories, analytical methods and solutions.
-
Introduction to the complex relationship between human development and natural hazards, which are increasingly causing damage and displacement to human populations throughout the world.
-
Develop the requisite knowledge and practical skills to source, analyze, and produce GIS and simulation-based projects with unmanned aerial systems-derived data.
-
An exploration of earth’s water, ranging from water properties, chemistry, and pollution, to groundwater dynamics, watershed processes, and oceanic-atmospheric circulation. Implications for past and future societies.
3 required courses (12 units)
-
Role of maps and spatial reasoning in the production and use of geographic information for representing and analyzing human and environmental activities and events.
-
Introduction to basic geospatial intelligence knowledge and related practical skills that assist in informing decision-making in a variety of human security settings.
-
-
The role and evolution of espionage and intelligence as tools of statecraft are examined. Open, covert, clandestine, counterintelligence programs and oversight processes are considered. ornational security policy; political/social constraints, and military justice.
-
Explore causes of human security threats, challenges to state sovereignty, and actions to address failed states, conflicts and protect people through humanitarian intervention.
4 units of upper-division elective (choose one below)
-
The focus is intelligence to improve the making of policy, with attention to collection; overt and covert, operations; domestic intelligence; and oversight in democracies.
-
Key concepts in international security studies; historical evolution of international warfare and diplomacy; contemporary international security issues.
-
Examination of terrorism and responses to terrorism, including how societies understand and deal with terrorism; focus on ethical and normative issues.
-
Major strands of Islamic political thought from early Islam through the classical Islamic period to contemporary developments and transformations.
Satisfies Global Perspective in Category H: Traditions and Historical Foundations -
Develops student proficiency in planning and executing complex operations, functioning as a member of a staff, and mentoring subordinates. Students explore training management, methods of effective staff collaboration, and developmental counseling techniques.
-
Study includes case study analysis of military law and practical exercises on establishing an ethical command climate. Students must complete a semester long Senior Leadership Project that requires them to plan, organize, collaborate, analyze, and demonstrate their leadership skills.
-
Principles of human relationships; principles of decision making and management at the junior officer level; theory and techniques of leadership.
-
Introduction to primary duties of junior naval officers; counseling and interviewing techniques; review of basic administrative responsibilities at the division officer level.
Learn more
Ask Dr. Darren M. Ruddell about the minor in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence.