Week 5 Assignment:

Download the file “CBDB POSTINGS-NATIVEPLACES 1070-1127Prefects.xlsx“ from Moodle. The file contains two data sheets: Prefects1070-1095_UniquePerIDXY and Prefects1096-1127_UniquePerIDXY. They report the native places of Song-dynasty prefects who were in office between 1070 and 1095 and between 1096 and 1127 respectively.

Ben, Brian, Chanda, and Rachel work on the 1096-1127 datasheet, and all the others work on the 1070-1095 datasheet. This assignment is not group work. You may consult and help each other, but each of you is expected to produce your own map and write your own essay.

1. Create a map showing the native places of prefects who were in office in 1070-1095 or 1096-1127 (depending on which group you are assigned to). Follow the steps below:

  • Use “Add XY Data…” to map your datasheet in ArcGIS. Export it to a shapefile or a geodatabase feature class (either will do).
  • Download v5_CHGIS_1080_chin_chn_1080_p (prefectural boundaries in 1080) and use “Add Data” to create a layer of 1080 prefectures.
  • Join the two layers. This creates a new layer. Click yes when asked whether you want to add the new layer into your map.
  • In the new layer, color the prefectural polygons differently according to the number of prefects who hailed from each prefecture.
  • After you finish, share your map as a map package. (If you don’t remember, here is the tutorial on how to create a map package: How to Create a Map Package). 
  • Also export your map into a image file (*.svg, *.png, *.jpg, *.bmp, *.gif, *.tiff — any of these formats will do). Save your file on your computer. You will embed your image file in your essay.

2. Look at the pattern of where the prefects in 1070-1095 / 1096-1127 were from. Write one or two short paragraphs discussing the pattern with reference to Tackett’s and Song Chen’s research on the ruling elite, assigned for Thursday class. Embed your image file in the essay.

N.B.: You may create more maps, if necessary. For example, a map showing the number of prefects from each prefecture, normalized by the area of the prefecture. But this is not required.

3. Submission. After you finish, you will need to submit two files:

Submit your essay to Week 5: The Ruling Elite in the Song Dynasty (Essay)Assignment, and submit your map package file to Week 5: The Ruling Elite of the Song Dynasty (Map Package)Assignment. 

Due: 5 p.m., Sunday (Feb 18).

If you need more assistance with ArcGIS, I have listed some tutorial resources on this website under Resources > Software Tutorials > Desktop ArcGIS.

 
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