Description
Data and data-empowered algorithms shape our professional, personal, and political realities. They also increasingly shape how we are able to access and tell stories about the past. This course introduces students to the history of data practices so as to better understand the future we are building together as scholars, scientists, and citizens. In covering the history of the human use of data, we will learn how data are used to reveal insight and support decisions, how data-driven practices make historical and literary arguments, and how data and culture are fundamentally intertwined.
Sample Reading List
- Wiggins and Jones, How Data Happened
- Klein and D'Ignazio, Data Feminism
- Borgman, Big Data, Little Data, No Data
- Crawford, Atlas of AI
- Porter, The Rise of Statistical Thinking
See instructor for complete list.
Reading/Writing Assignments
Students will complete a combination of short and long assignments. Average 75pp of reading per week. Short paper (750 words); Problem sets (3-5); Final paper (10-15 pp).
Requirements/Grading
Term Assessments:
- Papers/writing assignments - 15%
- Participation - 25%
- Problem sets - 30%
Final Assessments:
- Final paper or project - 30%
Other Requirements
- Statistical, design or other software use required
Prerequisites and Restrictions
P/D/F option is not available for History majors, HIS minors, or HSTM minors.
Other Information
No programming experience required.