Course Description:

Do you want to learn how to read 10,000 books at a time? Create maps of crimes in Sherlock Holmes’s London? This course provides an introduction to digital humanities (DH)–the practice of using digital tools for scholarly purposes in all majors–including its different uses, methodologies, tools, and projects.  You will learn different DH techniques, study existing DH projects, and try these techniques yourself in weekly labs.  We’ll use DH techniques to examine Sherlock Holmes short stories alongside Victorian court records, coroners’ reports, and maps of crimes in London.  While the in-class material will focus on 19^th century London, your final group projects can be more immediately applicable to your own major or academic interests.  In lieu of taking exams and writing traditional papers, we will create digital exhibits, write blog posts, share our work through social media, and collaborate with students and scholars from around the world.  All majors are welcome. Computer literacy is helpful, but no programming experience is required.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the semester, students should be able to

• Have an interdisciplinary understanding of 19^th Century London
• Identify, use, and discuss different DH methodologies and tools
• Explain the pros and cons of the different methodologies and tools
• Identify and explain key DH terms
• Create projects using the tools covered in lab
• Articulate what makes a DH project successful or unsuccessful
• Use social media to engage with the larger DH community of scholars
• Come up with research questions that can be answered with DH tools and methodologies and come up with the idea for tools and methodologies in order to answer research questions
• Work collaboratively in groups to create a project that relates to their own research interests

Course Materials:

Every week will focus on a different DH methodology will include a discussion-based class and a hands-on lab when you will practice the tools we have been discussing. All readings with URLs can be found online and through the course website.