Blog 08

Guidelines

In this blog post, you'll be producing two data maps using Carto. This post will be a lot like Blog 07 in showing off your product, explaining its significance, and detailing your workflow. For help with this, view tutorials on Gathering Data and Carto. Here is what your post needs to include:

• Two embedded maps created using Carto
  1. Topic: Open
  2. One map must include at least 100 data points from a data set you created. You may also use datasets in the box folder that your classmates have shared.
  3. Links to the datasets you used.
  4. Your maps should include elements like a title, a key (if needed), and labels for data points (if used). You should put thought into your editorial choices for your maps (style of map, colors, included elements).
  
  
• A short text piece (Word Count: 300-400 words) that addresses the following (in any order that makes sense to you):
  1. The topic of this map -- how did you choose this topic? What does this map convey?
  2. Workflow -- Provide a short description of your process in creating this map. How did you decide what information to gather and include? How did you gather it? (You don't need to give me a detailed step-by-step like in our tutorials, but rather a brief summary of the actions you took)
  3. Reasoning -- Why did you choose this topic? Why did you choose to represent it this way, with these media choices? Why did you choose to make this type of map?
  4. Shortcomings / Inadequacies of Map: Are there any potential shortcomings or inadequacies you might find in this map? How would you expand it if you had the opportunities.
  5. Bibliography/Citations: Be sure to cite the sources you've used!
  6. References: (If needed) Use inline references (Author date, page number) (e.g. Johnson 2000, 208). Include a bibliography of sources at the end using the Chicago Manual of Style.

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• Due by noon on Sunday 10/30.

Audience

Write for a public audience that includes your peers

Goals

To increase your proficiency and comfort at analyzing primary sources and practicing using the digital tools we learn about in class

To engage with the public, including your peers, in offering thoughtful responses to historical materials

To gain experience and comfort in blogging and digital communication

To provide regular opportunities for synthesis, writing, and historical analysis in the classroom.

Grading

Blog posts will be graded on a 15-point scale.

	Exceeds Expectations	Meets Expectations	Needs improvement
Writing / Content / Ideas (10 Points)	Your post has a “critical edge,” meaning that you pay attention to complexity, contradictions, and nuance. You challenge taken-for-granted assumptions, shed new light on old topics, and/or explore alternative viewpoints. You include specific, detailed examples, and approach the topic from an interesting or exciting viewpoint.	Your post notes some complexity, contradictions, and nuance, but could move to the next level by challenging taken-for-granted assumptions, shedding new light on old topics, or exploring alternative viewpoints. You include examples but they may be lacking in appropriate detail.	Your post lacks attention to complexity, contradictions, and nuance, and instead focuses on a single perspective and/or generalizations. To improve in this area, seek a more innovative viewpoint. Your post may also be lacking in detailed examples.
Professionalism (5 points)	Your post follows the basic rules for clear writing. Your post is thoroughly proofread, and is well-written in an appropriately professional tone. You include proper citations as needed. Your post meets all requirements (length, number of sources, etc.).	Your post generally follows the basic rules for clear writing and is generally well-written, but it has a few proofreading errors and/or is missing citations. The tone is appropriately professional. Your post meets all or most requirements (length, number of sources, etc.).	Your post would be stronger if you invested more time in proofreading and revisions. You may also be missing citations or be writing in too informal of a tone. Your post may not have met all of the requirements (length, number of sources, etc.).
Skill Practice (15 Pts)	Includes a map that includes all the required elements. A clean and robust dataset and excellent editorial choices in map creation.	Includes map with necessary components, but may have small errors in the map/dataset and/or could have put more effort into making editorial decisions in mapping.	Includes incomplete map and/or little attention paid to details within and/or many formatting/proofreading errors and/or map missing or improperly linked.