Social Sciences and Humanities Mapping
Do you need to include a map with your next presentation or project? You could find a preexisting map; you could also try making one yourself.
Benefits of Creating Custom Maps
When you learn how to make your own digital map, you unlock new potential for your project. You can:
- Control what features are labeled
- Find trustworthy data sources
- Choose a scale + spatial extent that makes sense for your project
- Customize visual design elements
- Reduce copyright issues if you publish your project
Make a Map at Brandeis
Click here for an accessible PDF version of this chart.| Google Maps | ArcGIS Online | ArcGIS Pro | |
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Cost |
Free | Free for Brandeis community | Free for Brandeis community |
| Experience Level | Beginner | Basic ArcGIS skills | You will need to learn basic ArcGIS skills. ArcGIS Pro is more powerful but generally more time intensive. |
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Hardware Requirements |
Mac/PC | Mac/PC with internet access | PC or virtual machine on your Mac |
| Exporting Capability | No, but you can take a screenshot | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Producing a quick map showing locations on the contemporary landscape. | Creating a professional-looking map. Features can be represented in a wide variety of formats (polygons, lines, points) and you can show continuous coverage features (e.g. elevation). You can also use tools to measure spatial relationships and create custom datasets; next, show them on your map. | All of the capabilities of ArcGIS Online, plus more extensive tools for spatial analysis. Easily georeference historical scanned maps and show them in context with modern datasets. |
| Sharing and Collaboration |
Share your map via URL. Collaboration is possible with a shared account. |
Save + share your map to the ArcGIS Online cloud environment. Also load your map into StoryMaps. Collaboration is possible. | Save + share your work to the ArcGIS Online cloud environment. Collaboration is more involved but possible. |
| Tutorial | Create a Google Map | Introducing ArcGIS Pro. On the side bar, work through the Quick-Start tutorials. I recommend working in this order: Learn the Basics, Visualize, then Share. |
Analyzing Spatial Relationships
Do you want to learn how to record locations (of people, places, objects, buildings)? Do you have specific questions pertaining to why things are located where they are? These sorts of questions can be addressed with Geographic Information Systems (GIS).