Introduction to Digital Humanities

Syllabus

Dr. Andrea Davis
andavis@astate.edu
Class: HSS 4026 TR 11-12:15 pm
Office Hours: HSS 4038 TR 9:15-11am and by appointment
Office Phone: (870) 680-8067

Course Overview

As the foundational course of the History Department's Digital Humanities Certificate Program, this course aims to provide you with a theoretical, creative, and experiential introduction to the scholarship, methods, and tools of the digital humanities. The course is divided into four modules- Introductions, DH Methods, Critical Perspectives, and Creative Expressions. The first three modules are broken down into topics, each of which will be covered over the course of two class sessions. In preparation for the first session on Thursdays, you will read and collaboratively annotate the assigned readings and/or websites. Because annotations are designed to prepare you for in-class discussions, they must be completed before class.  Following our in-class discussions, the remainder of class on Thursdays will be dedicated to hands-on introductions to the associated workbook assignment. Workbook assignments are due on Tuesdays, when they will be presented to the class for review. During the final three-week module, you will have the opportunity to design and present a Scalar portfolio showcasing your best work. 

Course Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to critically assess information and information technologies.

2. Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate digitally driven research methods with humanistic inquiry.

Program Learning Outcomes

Research Skills: A graduate with a BA in History will be able to utilize effective historical research skills.

Critical Thinking: A graduate with a BA in History will be able to synthesize primary and secondary historical sources.

Content Knowledge: A graduate with a BA in History will be able to articulate historical content and broader historiographical trends.

Course Policies

Personal Electronic Devices 

Since all course materials and projects will be hosted and conducted online, students are encouraged to bring a personal electronic device to class (smart phone, tablet, laptop). We will also have regular access to a computer lab. 

Technical Problems

Because of the nature of this course, be prepared to encounter and assess technical problems along the way. It is your responsibility to regularly back up and save your work in alternate formats. For example, if you are posting a new page to our Scalar workbook, before you press save you can click on the source view, copy all, and save the code to your text editor so that you do not loose your work should an error occur during the saving process. Also, be aware that technical problems can arise for many different reasons. One of our goals in this class will be to determine the source of a problem so that we can proceed accordingly. For example, if it is a user error, you should probably revisit tutorials or seek out user groups. If a link does not work as expected, contact your instructor so that she can rectify the situation. If you think you have encountered a bug, open up a discussion with the class so that we can determine whether to make a report and/or seek outside assistance.

Late Work

Late work will only be accepted when students have an excused absence or a genuine emergency (to be determined by the instructor). It is your responsibility to contact me in a timely manner to notify me of the situation and make alternate arrangements.

Students with Disabilities

Students who require academic adjustments in the classroom or by way of the web due to a disability must first register with Arkansas State Disability Services. Following registration and within the first two weeks of class, please contact me to discuss appropriate academic accommodations, technology requirements, software and hardware specifics and requirements. Appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure equal access to this course.

Inclement Weather Policy

We will always have class unless cancelled by the University. Information on campus closure can be found on the ASU web page, KASU, and local radio and television stations.

Attendance

Students should attend every lecture, recitation and laboratory session of every course in which they are enrolled. A student who misses more than 6 classes will be given a failing grade. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with A-State’s Class Attendance Policy, which you can find in the most current Graduate Bulletin.

Academic Misconduct

Arkansas State University enthusiastically promotes academic integrity and professional ethics among all members of the A-State academic community. Violations of this policy are considered as serious misconduct and may result in severe penalties. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with A-State’s Academic Misconduct Policy, which you can find in the most recent Student Handbook.

This page has paths:

This page references: