The course aims to:

• Provide a detailed overview of Digital Humanities, highlighting its importance and applicability across various sectors of the humanities.
• Impart fundamental knowledge on managing digital projects in the humanities context, covering planning, development, and evaluation phases.
• Introduce techniques of data visualization and digital storytelling as means for effective communication of humanities research findings.
• Highlight the importance of collaborations between computer scientists and humanists for the success of digital humanities projects.
• Explore emerging trends and future directions of Digital Humanities, with a particular emphasis on new technologies and their impact on humanities studies.

The course is structured into four lessons dedicated to:

• History and development of Digital Humanities, examples of applications in various humanities fields, and an introduction to the main theoretical and methodological issues.
• Tools and techniques for project management, agile working methodologies, success criteria, and evaluation of the impact of digital humanities projects.
• Design principles for data visualization, examples of digital storytelling, and visualization tools.
• Case studies of successful collaborations, approaches to building interdisciplinary teams, and strategies for effective communication between different disciplines.
• Overview of emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis), discussions on ethical and social implications, and predictions about the future of Digital Humanities.

At the end of the course, students will have gained a solid understanding of the fundamental principles and applications of Digital Humanities. They will be able to:

• Comprehend and Articulate the Role of Computing in the Humanities;
• Manage and Develop Digital Humanities Projects;
• Utilise Techniques of Data Visualization and Digital Storytelling;
• Collaborate in an Interdisciplinary Manner;
• Analyse Emerging Trends and Technologies. In summary, the course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively integrate computing into their humanities inquiries and practices, preparing them to actively navigate and contribute to the ongoing evolution of this interdisciplinary field.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

• Lectures and laboratories.
• Active participation and preparation of individual activities will be required.

Innovative teaching methods

• In the Digital Humanities course, we will adopt an innovative teaching approach that combines theory and practice in a dynamic and interactive learning environment. The key elements of this approach include:
• Collaborative Discussions and Peer-to-Peer Learning: We will encourage a collaborative learning environment, where students can share their ideas and learn from each other. Group discussions and peer-to-peer learning activities will allow for a deeper understanding of the topics covered.
• Integration of Digital Resources: We will use a variety of digital resources, including online platforms, podcasts, videos, and case studies, to enrich the learning experience and offer diverse perspectives on the subjects covered.
• Continuous Assessment: The course will feature continuous assessment based on active student engagement, participation in discussions, the quality of project work, and individual contributions in laboratories.
• Regular Feedback: Regular and constructive feedback, both from the lecturer and peers, will be a fundamental element to guide and enhance student learning.

Attendance

• Completion of assigned activities; active and consistent participation.

Course books

• Schreibman, S., Siemens, R., & Unsworth, J. (Eds.). (2015). A new companion to digital humanities. John Wiley & Sons.
• Berry, D. M., & Fagerjord, A. (2017). Digital humanities: Knowledge and critique in a digital age. John Wiley & Sons.
• Previtali, G. (2023). What are the digital humanities. Carocci.
• Materials that will be available on the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Assessment

• The course will be formally assessed through individual project work.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.