New computational tools and methods from digital mapping to 3D modelling to text analysis are being used in diverse disciplines across the Humanities. Technology is also transforming the way that we access and engage with cultural institutions and arts organisations. However, Digital Humanities is more than just using computers for research, it is a highly critical and scholarly field that consciously considers how humanities topics of research and research practices themselves are being transformed in the digital age. This course introduces students to key methodologies and critical theories in digital humanities. Students have the opportunity to learn, trial and evaluate a range of digital methodologies (ranging from digital mapping, data cleaning, 3D modelling, digitisation, metadata and database creation, digital publishing and audience engagement). Students study the ways that digital and computational methods are transforming research in humanities. There is a particular focus on how digital technologies and projects can be used to engage broader society with humanities and cultural sector research (including design for digital audiences, public history and public culture). The course also addresses complex ethical issues around ownership of data, digital repatriation, politics of archives, and the potential for digital activism. The course includes visits to major cultural institutions in Canberra and talks from experts in digital humanities research from across the ANU.

No specific technical or computational knowledge is assumed, all students will be supported to work with a range of digital methodologies and practices from whatever level they are at. Students will be given access to the Digital Humanities Lab and its specialist equipment and software. Students will be asked to critically evaluate tools and methods, as well as engaging with key readings, issues and debates, and critical theories. Projects and essays developed for this course may form part of Masters Advanced and Honours thesis projects subject to approval from your supervisor and program convener.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. critically examine digital humanities methodologies;
2. apply digital humanities methodologies to their own research, writing and project development;
3. understand the development of digital humanities from a theoretical and methodological standpoint;
4. speak with confidence about the methodologies of digital humanities to professional audiences in academia and the cultural sector;
5. have the confidence and capacity to trial, learn and evaluate a range of digital tools and methods; and
6. understand how to develop a program of research and/or project for an external client (i.e. a cultural institution) that foregrounds digital methods and digital publication.

Research-Led Teaching

New computational methods and technologies from digital mapping to data visualisation and text analysis are being used in diverse disciplines across the Humanities and transforming the way we access and engage with cultural institutions and arts organisations. Digital Humanities is the critical and scholarly field that engages with these changes in how humanities artefacts, topics and practices are being transformed in the digital age. This course introduces students to key critical debates, theories and methodologies in digital humanities. 

Students explore the ways that digital and computational methods are transforming research in humanities and have opportunities to engage with and discuss critical and ethical issues relating to ownership of data, politics of archives, and potential for digital activism. They will be able to trial and evaluate a range of digital methodologies (ranging from data curation, digital mapping, network analysis, and computational modeling). There will be a particular focus on how digital technologies and projects can be used to engage broader society with humanities and cultural sector research (including design for digital audiences, public history and public culture). The course includes talks from experts in digital humanities research from across the ANU.

No specific technical or computational knowledge is assumed. All students will be supported to work with a range of digital methodologies and practices from whatever level they are at. Students will be given access to the Digital Humanities Lab and its specialist equipment and software. Students will be asked to critically evaluate tools and methods, as well as engaging with key readings, issues and debates, and critical theories. 

Additional Course Costs

NA

Examination Material or equipment

NA

Required Resources

Students may need to download and install specialist software for trialling digital methods. This software will be open source or provided free of charge. This software will also be available in the DH Lab and available to all students Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (unless the lab is booked for another class).

Recommended Resources

NA

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Preparatory reading	Refer to Wattle for readings to prepare for in-class discussion
2	Week-long intensive (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm)	Day 1 - Introduction to digital humanitiesDay 2 - Humanities data and GLAM collectionsDay 3 - Modelling and visualisationDay 4 - Critical AIDay 5 - Design justice and activist DH
3	Critical evaluation of a digital tool and/or method	See assessment 2 instructions
4	Forum week 1	See assessment 3 instructions
5	Forum week 2	See assessment 3 instructions
6	Forum week 3	See assessment 3 instructions
7	Forum week 4	See assessment 3 instructions

Tutorial Registration

This class includes a one-week intensive (8-12 April), with preparation and assessment preceding and following that period.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Class participation	10 %	12/04/2024	1,2,3,4,5,6
Critical evaluation of a digital method or project	20 %	19/04/2024	1,2,3,4,5,6
Online forum discussion	30 %	22/05/2024	1,2,3,4
Research Project or Essay	40 %	12/06/2024	2,3,4,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

See above under Assessment Task 1 - Participation

Examination(s)

NA

Assessment Task 1

Class participation

All students are expected to attend the intensive and participate in online forum discussion (see timetable for details) or provide a reason why they could not attend in writing (email is fine) to the convener. Students who miss more than 50% classes (i.e. 6 or more) without providing a valid reason will receive 0% for participation. The participation mark is not just an attendance mark, students are expected to discuss their reading and methods, talk to other students, and engage with guest speakers to attain a full mark for this requirement.

Assessment Task 2

Critical evaluation of a digital method or project

Students will choose either a method trialed, or a project discussed, during the intensive. If you choose a method, you will create a finished version of one of the exercises and a short explanation (500 words) of the method used, challenges encountered, and an evaluation of the outcome. If you choose a project, you will write a short essay (1000 words) situating it in relation to theoretical and methodological debates in digital humanities, and your own research interests and questions. Essays and exegeses should be submitted via Turnitin. Finished versions of the method should be submitted via Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Online forum discussion

This assessment encourages you to engage with topics, debates and theories in digital humanities – in a digital environment. At 9am Monday of weeks beginning 22 and 29 April and 6 and 13 May a forum will become visible, with reading/s and focus questions. You will have a week to post to the forum and should allow approximately 4 hours per week for this activity including:

·      reading the set text/s and considering the focus questions;

·      identifying and exploring other relevant resources that help to refine, support or illustrate your argument (these can include other academic articles books and blogs as well as digital humanities projects and other relevant web resources);

·      reading other students’ posts; and

·      contributing posts to the forum.

Your posts should demonstrate critical engagement with the topics and ideas presented in the set reading/s and with other students' contributions.

You are required to post comments in each of the four weeks of the forum. You may contribute as many posts during the four weeks as you like. However, at the end of the period, you will need to identify at least four posts for assessment, totalling approximately 1500 words with a minimum of 200 words each. You should collect the assessable posts into a single word document and submit it via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 4

Research Project or Essay

You have the option of either completing an essay (4000 words) or a project build and an exegesis (2000 words equivalent for project and 2000 words for the exegesis). Your research project or essay will be based on a topic you develop individually, in consultation with the convenor. Your research project or essay will engage with methodological and theoretical debates in digital humanities, and your own research interests and questions. Please share a brief synopsis of your topic and planned approach with the convenor for feedback and approval (this can be done in person, by appointment, or via email). Topics that have not been approved will not be assessed. 

Students currently working towards a thesis for Honours or Masters can use this for topic development with the approval of their supervisor and the course convener. Research projects and essays should be based on independent research and include references. You should feel free (and are encouraged) to refer to the set readings in your essay or exegesis. However, you should also include at least four additional resources for essays and at least two for research projects (if suitable, these additional resources can be ones introduced to the forum by yourself or other students). Essays and exegeses should be submitted via Turnitin. Project files should be submitted via Wattle.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

For submission of project files (data visualisation, websites, 3D models) see details on Wattle and speak to convener if unsure.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assessment will be returned with comments within 2 weeks of due date if submitted on time.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Students who fail may discuss an alternative assessment option with the course convener.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students