coursemapLoading course
Research School of Humanities and the Arts · ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
This course will introduce students to some of the major concepts, practices, and implications involved in the use of digital technologies in the humanities – the group of academic disciplines interested in examining what it means to be human from cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives. From the vantage point of these new ‘digital humanities’, we will examine the contemporary shift away from a predominantly print culture to one that is increasingly digital and online, while at the same time analysing and critiquing the emerging cultural practices that accompany this development. In so doing, we will seek to better understand the historical influence of new technologies on how we think of ourselves and our cultural heritage, both individually and collectively; how we interact socially and politically; how we determine public and private spaces in an increasingly connected world; and how we can use digital technologies to produce, preserve, and study cultural materials.
Tutorial participation through research, active discussion, group presentations
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Mid-term assessment, 1,500 word conference abstract and associated academic poster
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
Final assessment, 5 minute multimedia product (blog post, podcast, or video)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4
130 hours of total student learning time made up from: a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 12 hours of lectures and 24 hours of tutorials; and b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and assessment completion. Work Integrated Learning Other Assessing and evaluating the impact of digital and computational technologies on humans and society are at the very heart of this course. Each week covers a different topic ranging from the Data Economy and smart homes to even confrontational topics such as resisting rape culture online or finding out what happens to your social media content when you die. Students work in groups to research and communicate their findings on topics related to the intersection of society and technology. Critical thinking and evaluation are essential for this course. Students learn about a number of different approaches ranging from critical theory to project management. Students encounter a complex problem space and are asked to consider both the technical and social aspects of successful digital innovation. For example, is Facebook technologically the superior social platform? Arguably not. There are social pressures as considerations that have contributed to its success. And, it is not a technological power they yield, but a socio-political one.
Nil