Introduction to Digital Humanities: A-State Main Menu Syllabus Outline, Outcomes, Policies Resources Readings , Tools, Websites Assignments Requirements, Prompts, Deadlines Schedule Weekly Overview

Week 3

27471

Exploring the Tool Box: An Experiential Introduction

Our Relationship with Tools and Media

The philosopher and media theorist Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) is often credited with the idea that "We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." Keeping this idea in mind:

1. Read and collaboratively annotate the first chapter of Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964). Hypothesis link. Watch the embedded video of Wilson Miner (recorded at Build 2011).

2.  Watch the embedded video of Wilson Miner (recorded at Build 2011).

3. And read and collaboratively annotate  Sherry Turkle, “What Makes an Object Evocative?” In Evocative Objects: Things We Think With, edited by Sherry Turkle (Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2007). Hypothesis link.

Assignment

As you think about our relationship to tools, media and objects, I would like you to locate and carry out a formal academic review of a DH tool from the DiRT directory that you can imagine using in your research. For tips on how to conduct and structure your review consult the directory's Assignment-in-a-box. Post your review to our Scalar workbook and be prepared to present your selected tool to the class.
 

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