Module Details

Module Code: CULT H7010
Full Title: Introduction to Digital Humanities: Digital Literacy
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 10
Module Owner:: Annaleigh Margey
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: The discipline of ‘digital humanities’ or ‘humanities computing’ is fast becoming one of the most popular areas of humanities teaching. The application of computing to humanities research is, despite public assumptions, not a new one. Developed from the 1940s, it has emerged to aid humanities scholars in their everyday research. On a basic level, this research has taken the form of databases to store information, while more recent projects, have used the developments in computing and design to make previously inaccessible materials available to the general public. We use digital resources as part of our everyday lives, but we think very little about who designed them and why. In this course, we will be looking at the very foundations of the discipline, through an introduction to research in the digital humanities. The course will focus specifically on the development of the discipline, what it means for research, and how these digital resources are used by humanities scholars. The course will also explore the building blocks of digital resources, introducing key ideas of design, visualisation, and text analysis; as part of the lectures. A significant part of this course will be lab-based, and will offer basic training in using digital resources in your research, using computer applications, modelling for digital resources and using this training to produce formatted, structured and fully-referenced documents. The course assumes no previous knowledge of new technologies.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Distinguish the terminology and resources of digital humanities.
MLO2 Demonstrate proficiency in the use of online databases and library catalogues.
MLO3 Use the full range of Microsoft Office programmes, including Word, Excel and Powerpoint, or equivalents.
MLO4 Develop competently formatted, structured, and fully referenced documents.
MLO5 Analyse digital humanities resources
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Module summary
The discipline of ‘digital humanities’ or ‘humanities computing’ is fast becoming one of the most popular areas of humanities teaching. The application of computing to humanities research is, despite public assumptions, not a new one. Developed from the 1940s, it has emerged to aid humanities scholars in their everyday research. On a basic level, this research has taken the form of databases to store information, while more recent projects, have used the developments in computing and design to make previously inaccessible materials available to the general public. We use digital resources as part of our everyday lives, but we think very little about who designed them and why. In this course, students will look at the very foundations of the discipline, through an introduction to research in the digital humanities. The course will focus specifically on the development of the discipline, what it means for research, and how these digital resources are used by humanities scholars. The course will also explore the building blocks of digital resources, introducing key ideas of design, visualisation, and text analysis; as part of the lectures. A significant part of this course will be lab-based, and will offer basic training in using digital resources in research, using the Microsoft Office programs of Word, Excel and Powerpoint, to enable students to use the fundamental building blocks of digital research effectively.
Introduction to Humanities Computing
• The history of humanities computing • International Digital Humanities Organisations • Irish Digital Humanities Organisations
Developing Digital Projects
• Users and Audiences • Building digital humanities websites: the tools • Databases for Historians
Visualisation and Representation
• Text and Visual Analysis • Modelling and Representation • Visualisation in Digital Humanities • Digital Images and their manipulation
Lab Classes
• Microsoft Office, or similar package, including MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel
Study Skills
• Introduction to Harvard Referencing • Introduction to Footnote Referencing for History
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to complete one essay, of approx. 1200 words, for submission towards the end of term, which will ask them to evaluate digital humanities resources.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 15
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
On completion of Microsoft Powerpoint, or equivalent, classes, students will be asked to complete one exercise in Microsoft Powerpoint, or equivalent
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
On completion of Microsoft Excel classes,or equivalent, students will be asked to complete one exercise in Microsoft Excel, or equivalent
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 15
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
On completion of Microsoft Word classes, or equivalent, students will be asked to complete a class test on referencing in both the Harvard and Footnote Referencing styles
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome  
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be awarded 20% of their grade for attendance and participation in classes.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

Part-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to complete one essay of approx.1200 words, for submission towards the end of term, which will ask them to evaluate digital humanities resources.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 15
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
On completion of Microsoft Powerpoint classes, students will be asked to complete one exercise in Microsoft Powerpoint.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
On completion of Microsoft Excel classes, students will be asked to complete one exercise in Microsoft Excel.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 15
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
On completion of Microsoft Word classes, students will be asked to complete a class test on referencing in both the Harvard and Footnote Referencing styles
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome  
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be awarded 20% of their grade for attendance and participation in classes.
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Practical Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 9.00 9
Total Weekly Learner Workload 16.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Practical Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 9.00 9
Total Weekly Learner Workload 16.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Susan Schreibman, Ray Siemens and John Unsworth. (2016), A New Companion to Digital Humanities, 2nd. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, [ISBN: 978-1-118-680].
  • Willard McCarty. (2005), Humanities Computing, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, [ISBN: 978-1-4039-35].
  • Patrik Svensson and David Theo Goldberg. (2015), Between Humanities and the Digital, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, [ISBN: 9780262028684].
  • David Berry. (2010), Understanding digital humanities, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.
  • Matthew Gould. (2012), Debates in the digital humanities, University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.
  • Mark Greengrass and Lorna Hughes. (2008), The virtual representation of the past, Ashgate, Aldershot.
  • Susan Schreibman, Ray Siemens and John Unsworth. (2004), A Companion to Digital Humanities, Blackwell, Oxford.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources