Digital Humanities
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce the transversal and interdisciplinary field of Digital humanities and the methods and tools in this area available today to scholars in many different fields of the Humanities. After an initial historical framework on the characteristics and purposes of digital humanities, the course will focus in particular on the phases of data acquisition, management and return. National and international research projects will be examined.
[If useful, during the lessons, some experts may be invited to talk about specific matters].
[If useful, during the lessons, some experts may be invited to talk about specific matters].
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to provide participants with an as organic as possible framework of Digital humanities. Starting from an initial frame that reconstructs the birth of this interdisciplinary field and the debate about its autonomous status, not always and not everywhere recognized, some areas of humanistic research will be examined which can draw inspiration for renewal from the application of IT tools and methods. Particular emphasis will be given to the acquisition, representation, management and output of data, also using a review of the numerous research projects and tools existing in Italy and abroad.
At the end of the course the participants will be able to consciously orient themselves in the complex of Digital humanities and to imagine possible applications according to the disciplinary sectors.
The teaching tools used will be various: slides, videos, personal readings, projects planning. Depending on the organizational needs, some lessons can be modulated as seminars with expert scholars called to dialogue in the classroom with the teacher and, above all, with the students.
Taking into account the character of the course, the comparison with the teacher must be continuous and constant.
Non-attending students will be able to use the tools made available by the teacher and to deepen the main topics through specific readings agreed with the teacher with which they will, of course, interact in the most appropriate ways (reception, exchange of e-mail messages, calls via Skype or other similar tools, etc.).
At the end of the course the participants will be able to consciously orient themselves in the complex of Digital humanities and to imagine possible applications according to the disciplinary sectors.
The teaching tools used will be various: slides, videos, personal readings, projects planning. Depending on the organizational needs, some lessons can be modulated as seminars with expert scholars called to dialogue in the classroom with the teacher and, above all, with the students.
Taking into account the character of the course, the comparison with the teacher must be continuous and constant.
Non-attending students will be able to use the tools made available by the teacher and to deepen the main topics through specific readings agreed with the teacher with which they will, of course, interact in the most appropriate ways (reception, exchange of e-mail messages, calls via Skype or other similar tools, etc.).
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
The course will be structured in three parts, interconnected with each other:
1. part, Historical evolution and context: characteristics, origins, history, context of Digital humanities; areas of humanistic research that can draw inspiration for renewal from the application of informatic tools and methods
2. part, Principles and languages: acquisition, representation, management and output of data (standards for the description of resources of the bibliographic, archival, museum, exchange formats, citation styles), elements of scientific communication and dissemination, open science and open access, social media
3. part, Projects and tools: the World wide web, formal languages for the representation of semi-structured data, the semantic web and linked open data, data visualization systems.
1. part, Historical evolution and context: characteristics, origins, history, context of Digital humanities; areas of humanistic research that can draw inspiration for renewal from the application of informatic tools and methods
2. part, Principles and languages: acquisition, representation, management and output of data (standards for the description of resources of the bibliographic, archival, museum, exchange formats, citation styles), elements of scientific communication and dissemination, open science and open access, social media
3. part, Projects and tools: the World wide web, formal languages for the representation of semi-structured data, the semantic web and linked open data, data visualization systems.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements.
Teaching methods
Attendance of the lessons is strongly recommended, although not mandatory.
The course consists of lectures aimed at acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and the appropriate language. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the course, many existing projects, resources and tools will also be shown, also useful to prepare the final exam.
Discussion with the professor is an essential part of the teaching method and aims at stimulating curiosity and critical attitude and facilitating the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on ARIEL platform.
It is advisable that all students, attending and non-attending, who intend to take the 9 or 6 credit exam first agree on the scope and development of the project with the teacher.
The course consists of lectures aimed at acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and the appropriate language. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the course, many existing projects, resources and tools will also be shown, also useful to prepare the final exam.
Discussion with the professor is an essential part of the teaching method and aims at stimulating curiosity and critical attitude and facilitating the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on ARIEL platform.
It is advisable that all students, attending and non-attending, who intend to take the 9 or 6 credit exam first agree on the scope and development of the project with the teacher.
Teaching Resources
Program for 6 credits (attending and non-attending students):
- knowledge of the topics covered in class (parts 1, 2);
- knowledge of both of the following texts:
· Marco Lazzari, Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill, 2021
· Debates in the digital humanities 2016, Matthew K. Gold and Lauren F. Klein, editors; only Part 1, chap. 1-3; 6; 8, Histories and futures of the digital humanities, Minneapolis-London: University of Minnesota Press, 2016, available at https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/projects/debates-in-the-digital-humanities-2016
- critical reading of one of the following texts:
Paola Castellucci, Carte del nuovo mondo: banche dati e open access, Bologna: Il mulino, 2017.
Luciano Floridi, La quarta rivoluzione: come l'infosfera sta trasformando il mondo, Milano: Cortina, 2017.
The online Manifesto: being human in a hyperconnected era, editor Luciano Floridi, Cham [etc.]: Springer, 2015, only the parts 1, 3 and 4 (p. 1-13; 41-85), available at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-04093-6.
Jenn Riley, Understanding metadata: what is metadata and what is it for?, Baltimore: National Information Standards Organization (NISO), 2017, available at http://www.niso.org/publications/understanding-metadata-2017.
Nicola Cavalli, Questo libro parlerà malissimo degli ebook : (ma potrebbe non riuscirci). Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2014.
Simona Turbanti, Strumenti di misurazione della ricerca: dai database citazionali alle metriche del web, Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2018.
Fabio Venuda, La citazione bibliografica nei percorsi di ricerca: dalla galassia Gutenberg alla rivoluzione digitale, Milano: UNICOPLI, 2012.
Emma Annette Wilson, Digital humanities for librarians, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2020.
Archivi e informatica, a cura di Maria Guercio, Stefano Pigliapoco e Federico Valacchi, con introduzione di Antonio Romiti, Torre del lago, Civita editoriale, 2010.
Program for 9 credits (attending and non-attending students):
- knowledge of the topics covered in class (parts 1, 2, 3);
- knowledge of both of the following texts:
· Marco Lazzari, Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill, 2021
· Debates in the digital humanities 2016, Matthew K. Gold and Lauren F. Klein, editors; solo la Parte 1, cap. 1-8, Histories and futures of the digital humanities, Minneapolis-London: University of Minnesota Press, 2016, available at https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/projects/debates-in-the-digital-humanities-2016
- critical reading of two of the following texts:
Paola Castellucci, Carte del nuovo mondo: banche dati e open access, Bologna: Il mulino, 2017.
Luciano Floridi, La quarta rivoluzione: come l'infosfera sta trasformando il mondo, Milano: Cortina, 2017.
The online Manifesto: being human in a hyperconnected era, editor Luciano Floridi, Cham [etc.]: Springer, 2015, only the parts 1, 3 and 4 (p. 1-13; 41-85), available at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-04093-6.
Jenn Riley, Understanding metadata: what is metadata and what is it for?, Baltimore: National Information Standards Organization (NISO), 2017, available at http://www.niso.org/publications/understanding-metadata-2017.
Nicola Cavalli, Questo libro parlerà malissimo degli ebook : (ma potrebbe non riuscirci). Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2014.
Simona Turbanti, Strumenti di misurazione della ricerca: dai database citazionali alle metriche del web, Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2018.
Fabio Venuda, La citazione bibliografica nei percorsi di ricerca: dalla galassia Gutenberg alla rivoluzione digitale, Milano: UNICOPLI, 2012.
Emma Annette Wilson, Digital humanities for librarians, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2020.
Archivi e informatica, a cura di Maria Guercio, Stefano Pigliapoco e Federico Valacchi, con introduzione di Antonio Romiti, Torre del lago, Civita editoriale, 2010.
- knowledge of the topics covered in class (parts 1, 2);
- knowledge of both of the following texts:
· Marco Lazzari, Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill, 2021
· Debates in the digital humanities 2016, Matthew K. Gold and Lauren F. Klein, editors; only Part 1, chap. 1-3; 6; 8, Histories and futures of the digital humanities, Minneapolis-London: University of Minnesota Press, 2016, available at https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/projects/debates-in-the-digital-humanities-2016
- critical reading of one of the following texts:
Paola Castellucci, Carte del nuovo mondo: banche dati e open access, Bologna: Il mulino, 2017.
Luciano Floridi, La quarta rivoluzione: come l'infosfera sta trasformando il mondo, Milano: Cortina, 2017.
The online Manifesto: being human in a hyperconnected era, editor Luciano Floridi, Cham [etc.]: Springer, 2015, only the parts 1, 3 and 4 (p. 1-13; 41-85), available at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-04093-6.
Jenn Riley, Understanding metadata: what is metadata and what is it for?, Baltimore: National Information Standards Organization (NISO), 2017, available at http://www.niso.org/publications/understanding-metadata-2017.
Nicola Cavalli, Questo libro parlerà malissimo degli ebook : (ma potrebbe non riuscirci). Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2014.
Simona Turbanti, Strumenti di misurazione della ricerca: dai database citazionali alle metriche del web, Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2018.
Fabio Venuda, La citazione bibliografica nei percorsi di ricerca: dalla galassia Gutenberg alla rivoluzione digitale, Milano: UNICOPLI, 2012.
Emma Annette Wilson, Digital humanities for librarians, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2020.
Archivi e informatica, a cura di Maria Guercio, Stefano Pigliapoco e Federico Valacchi, con introduzione di Antonio Romiti, Torre del lago, Civita editoriale, 2010.
Program for 9 credits (attending and non-attending students):
- knowledge of the topics covered in class (parts 1, 2, 3);
- knowledge of both of the following texts:
· Marco Lazzari, Informatica umanistica, 3. ed., Milano: McGraw-Hill, 2021
· Debates in the digital humanities 2016, Matthew K. Gold and Lauren F. Klein, editors; solo la Parte 1, cap. 1-8, Histories and futures of the digital humanities, Minneapolis-London: University of Minnesota Press, 2016, available at https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/projects/debates-in-the-digital-humanities-2016
- critical reading of two of the following texts:
Paola Castellucci, Carte del nuovo mondo: banche dati e open access, Bologna: Il mulino, 2017.
Luciano Floridi, La quarta rivoluzione: come l'infosfera sta trasformando il mondo, Milano: Cortina, 2017.
The online Manifesto: being human in a hyperconnected era, editor Luciano Floridi, Cham [etc.]: Springer, 2015, only the parts 1, 3 and 4 (p. 1-13; 41-85), available at https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-04093-6.
Jenn Riley, Understanding metadata: what is metadata and what is it for?, Baltimore: National Information Standards Organization (NISO), 2017, available at http://www.niso.org/publications/understanding-metadata-2017.
Nicola Cavalli, Questo libro parlerà malissimo degli ebook : (ma potrebbe non riuscirci). Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2014.
Simona Turbanti, Strumenti di misurazione della ricerca: dai database citazionali alle metriche del web, Milano: Editrice bibliografica, 2018.
Fabio Venuda, La citazione bibliografica nei percorsi di ricerca: dalla galassia Gutenberg alla rivoluzione digitale, Milano: UNICOPLI, 2012.
Emma Annette Wilson, Digital humanities for librarians, Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2020.
Archivi e informatica, a cura di Maria Guercio, Stefano Pigliapoco e Federico Valacchi, con introduzione di Antonio Romiti, Torre del lago, Civita editoriale, 2010.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Method and type of exam: oral exam (interview).
Evaluation criteria: ability to critically reflect on the issues dealt with; ability to demonstrate and process the knowledge acquired, both theoretical and practical; ability to hypothesize a project in the field of digital humanities; quality and clarity in the presentation.
The interview will focus on the topics covered in the course, in the reference texts and in the chosen ones and on a paper to be delivered by email to the teacher at least fifteen days before the exam. The paper must consist of a reflection on one or more topics touched upon during the course - and deepened in the study of the texts - and in a digital humanities project to be developed taking into account the existing resources and tools analyzed in class.
Type of evaluation: mark out of thirty.
The examination methods for students with disabilities should be agreed with the professor, as well as the relevant Office.
Evaluation criteria: ability to critically reflect on the issues dealt with; ability to demonstrate and process the knowledge acquired, both theoretical and practical; ability to hypothesize a project in the field of digital humanities; quality and clarity in the presentation.
The interview will focus on the topics covered in the course, in the reference texts and in the chosen ones and on a paper to be delivered by email to the teacher at least fifteen days before the exam. The paper must consist of a reflection on one or more topics touched upon during the course - and deepened in the study of the texts - and in a digital humanities project to be developed taking into account the existing resources and tools analyzed in class.
Type of evaluation: mark out of thirty.
The examination methods for students with disabilities should be agreed with the professor, as well as the relevant Office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/08 - ARCHIVAL SCIENCE, BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LIBRARIANSHIP - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Every Wednesday from 3pm, at the university and on the Teams channel (e3eetcb); Wednesday 27th November the reception will be suspended due to scientific commitments out of office
Via Festa del Perdono, 7 - Cortile della legnaia - Dept. of History, sector C, second floor; Microsoft Teams classroom, code e3eetcb