Week 1 – Introductions and Interfaces

In the everyday practice of digital research and knowledge production, documenting your work is key. That includes documenting when things do not go as planned. But how do we document our work in digital environments, which often appear far more ephemeral and fleeting than print? And how do interfaces influence how we—as well as our audiences—interpret our notes, clippings, ideas, and other kinds of work in progress? 

The digital humanities likes to define and redefine itself. Why? Across definitions, what contradictions and tensions emerge? And, as undergraduates who are currently studying and participating in the field, what does the digital humanities mean to you? Finally, how would digital humanities research apply to specific issues on (or related to) UNBC? 

We’ll start by establishing our own site using WordPress this term to collaboratively document, communicate, and revise your research. When choosing a WordPress theme, one thing to consider (among many) is its interface. 

Reading 

As you are reading these, make a few web annotations. Here are few prompts for you that may help you generate some annotations ideas and approaches. 

The Digital Humanities Moment – Matt Gold (Debates in the Digital Humanities)

Making Digital Scholarship – Dr. Rob Nelson

What Is Digital Humanities and What’s It Doing in English Departments? https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/untitled-88c11800-9446-469b-a3be-3fdb36bfbd1e/section/f5640d43-b8eb-4d49-bc4b-eb31a16f3d06  

“The Humanities, Done Digitally” https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/untitled-88c11800-9446-469b-a3be-3fdb36bfbd1e/section/65e208fc-a5e6-479f-9a47-d51cd9c35e84#ch02  

The History of Humanities Computing
 

Media 

Jeffrey Schnapp – Digital Humanities http://serious-science.org/digital-humanities-673 

Annelise Dowd – Video 1: Intro to DH and using Hypothes.is https://youtu.be/2PDVQPExiQU 

Exercises 

  1. Use https://hypothes.is to add some annotations to the required readings listed above. Instructions outlining how to use https://hypothes.is for this course are found here. 
  2. Setup a WordPress site at a web domain. Create an [About] page on your new site to introduce yourself. Feel free to use a photo of yourself, include a video introduction, or include images you feel accompany your introduction. As I outline in the syllabus, I highly recommend a Personal account at https://reclaimhosting.com/shared-hosting/ for ease of use, affordability, and digital humanities options. This domain is the only resource you will require for the course. Detailed instructions outlining how you can setup your domain and WordPress are found here.