Description
How can computational tools help us to understand art and literature? This seminar offers an introduction to the 'big tent' that is called Digital Humanities (DH), emphasizing the integration of computational methods in the study of humanities. The course covers a range of digital tools and approaches designed to organize, explore, and narrate data-driven stories. Course topics will range from a critical reflection on the boundaries - or boundlessness? - of DH research, to the creation of digital cultural artifacts. Students will learn about a variety of theories and methodologies, actively engaging with a broad array of digital tools.
Sample Reading List
- Lisa Gitelman (ed.), "Raw Data" is an Oxymoron
- Matt Gold and Lauren Klein (eds.), Debates in the Digital Humanities
- Geoffrey C. Bowker and Susan Leigh Starr, Sorting Things Out: Classification and Its Consequences
- John Unsworth, What is humanities computing and what is not?
- Ted Underwood, Distant Horizons: Digital Evidence and Literary Change
- Sabine Lang and Bjorn Ommer, Transforming Information Into Knowledge
See instructor for complete list.
Reading/Writing Assignments
Weekly readings will familiarize students with the core concepts, methodologies, and history of Digital Humanities. Students will explore these through reflective essays, coding tasks (no prior experience required), data curation, and critique exercises. Over the semester, team efforts will be channeled towards planning and executing final projects. The course will alternate between discussions and practical workshops, using data sourced from Firestone Library Special Collections.
Requirements/Grading
Term Assessments:
- Presentation or performance - 10%
- Papers/writing assignments - 30%
- Participation - 15%
- Programming assignments - 15%
Final Assessments:
- Final paper or project - 30%
Prerequisites and Restrictions
No prior experience needed.
Other Information
A final DH project will account for 30% of the final grade. This course fulfills the "Data and Culture" cluster of the Humanistic Studies minor.
Reserved Seats
HUM Minor/Cert Students Only 2 (S01)