Syllabus

📅 Course Schedule

Welcome to Introduction to Digital Humanities! We will cover several key topics in digital humanities and R programming. Each topic will be covered in theoretical/conceptual lectures, followed by practical sessions.

Here’s a breakdown of our semester:

Week Date Content
1 9.9 Orientation: Introduction to Digital Humanities
2-6 9.14, 9.23, 9.30, 10.7 (holiday), 10.14 R Programming Basics
7-8 10.21, 10.28 Quantitative Text Analysis Basics
8-9 10.28, 11.4 Sentiment Analysis
10-12 11.11, 11.18, 11.25 Topic Modelling
13-15 12.2, 12.9, 12.16 Social Network Analysis
16 12.23 Ethics, AI and Future of Digital Humanities
17-18 Exam Weeks Final Assessment
Schedule Subject to Change

Please note that this schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed throughout the semester to accommodate our learning progress and any unforeseen circumstances.

📊 Assessment

Your final grade will be composed of the following elements:

  1. Monthly Quiz 📝: 30%

    • Regular assessments to check your understanding of the course material. (微助教/问卷星)

  2. Class Participation and Attendance 🙋‍♀️: 30%

    • Your active involvement in class discussions and activities is crucial! (微助教/Leaderboard)
    Important
    • Absence of one-third of class time, excused or unexcused, will disqualify you from earning credits for the course.

  3. Term Paper 📄: 40%

    🎯 Term Project

    A digital humanities project of your choice! You should pick your topic for the term project by week 12. More details will be released later when you have learned R basics.

🚀 Important Pep Talk!

💪 Setting the Right Mindset

Remember these key points while you embark on your DH journey:

Embrace the Learning Curve

  • Learning digital tools and methods is like learning a new language—it takes time and practice.
  • Don’t be discouraged by initial difficulties; everyone faces challenges when starting out.
  • Celebrate small victories and progress along the way.

Frustration is Part of Growth

  • Feeling frustrated? Congratulations! It means you’re pushing your boundaries and learning.
  • Hadley Wickham (Father of modern R syntax) once said: “Everyone gets frustrated… I still get frustrated occasionally when writing R code. It’s just a natural part of programming.”
  • Take breaks when needed, but don’t give up. Return with fresh eyes and renewed determination.

Cultivate Curiosity

  • Approach new concepts with an open and inquisitive mind.
  • Ask questions, explore beyond the course material, and let your curiosity drive your learning.
  • Digital humanities is a field of endless possibilities—embrace the excitement of discovery.

Build Resilience

  • Expect challenges and setbacks—they’re not roadblocks, but opportunities to problem-solve.
  • Develop a growth mindset: view difficulties as chances to improve, not as personal shortcomings.
  • Remember: every expert was once a beginner. Persistence is key to mastery.
Remember

I promise you can succeed in this class as long as you put your heart to it. Learning new digital skills may seem daunting at first, but with patience, persistence, and the right mindset, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it—we’re all in this learning journey together!