FYS 120Q: Imagining Democracies Globally
Instructional Technologist for Geospatial and Data Services
LibKey Nomad
Research & Instruction Librarian for Social Sciences & Data Literacy
Maps as a Tool for Research
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ArcGIS Living AtlasRepository of pre-made datasets - filtered by layer.
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Full Story Map: Civil Society Participation & the PFTClick on the link to see a full view of the Story Map
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Example Spreadsheets: PFT Project Locations & VDem v2x_cspartEach tab contains example demo spreadsheets from previous years! The first 2 tabs are the IDEA data used for the 10.23.2025 class session.
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Sara's Demo ExamplesExample StoryMap demo projects from other classes
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ArcGIS StoryMaps GalleryFull gallery of StoryMaps from other organizations
How do I start a project like this?
- What are your regions of focus? Country, region, etc.
- What group are you focusing on?
- Select your V-Dem values that make sense - why are these values important?
Tables & Spreadsheets
- Use a spreadsheet to manage any point data (projects or any single locations that you want to display on the map)
- Combine Country Names with columns of V-Dem Data
- If you want - feel free to copy my spreadsheet, delete the example data, and add your own!
Smaller amounts of data may be more effective and be easier to process than larger amounts of data. If wanting to compare multiple years, 2 years can be just as impactful as 50 years.
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Country Name TemplateIf you want to link some data to the map, make a copy of this spreadsheet template. It is not required to fill out values for all countries - just the ones for your project.
Accessing ArcGIS Online
You should receive an email notification to activate your St. Olaf ArcGIS account! Clicking the link will automatically activate your account and log you in - if you do not receive an email you may have an account already or the notification may have been sent to your spam email box. Contact Sara Lynnore (sara@stolaf.edu) to have the invite resent.
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Log Into ArcGIS OnlineIT Helpdesk Knowledge Article - instructions and short video on how to log back into ArcGIS Online
Design & Data Visualization
Did you import some data onto a map for your project? Make sure to check your pop-ups and do some clean up!
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The Data Visualization CatalogueExplore different types of visualizations and the tools available to make them
Adding citations in StoryMaps
Resoures
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Ventures into Viral Cartography: Waffle House, Educational Attainment, and the Social Life of MapsShannon, Jerry ; Walker, Kyle E
ABINGDON: Routledge
The Professional geographer, 2020-01-02, Vol.72 (1), p.66-77
"Viral maps-ones that are shared widely on social media and media outlets-have become an increasingly common part of online conversations about a range of issues..." -
Data Feminism Chapter 3: On Rational, Scientific, Objective Viewpoints from Mythical, Imaginary, Impossible StandpointsCatherine D'Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein
MIT Press (open source!)
This chapter in Data Feminism describes how the formatting of graphs, maps, and other sources of information can change how that information is perceived.
I have map questions!
If you have any questions about ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, or run into any tech issues - feel free to reach out to Sara (sara@stolaf.edu) directly and we can schedule an appointment. I'm available for either in-person or virtual appointments during staffed hours.
- Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm
- Friday (remote/virtual): 8am - 5pm
After staffed hours, I'll usually respond by the next staffed day! If it's on the weekend or after hours, you can also stop by the DiSCO and the interns at the desk may be able to help. You can also send in a ticket to the IT Helpdesk.
DiSCO Staffed Hours
- Monday - Thursday: 9am - 9pm
- Friday: 9pm - 5pm
- Saturday & Sunday: 12pm - 9pm
DiSCO YouTube Channel - ArcGIS Tutorials
There are a variety of ArcGIS Online short tutorial videos available on the DiSCO YouTube Channel. If there isn't a video that fits what you are trying to do, let Sara (sara@stolaf.edu) know and she can put one together!