introduction to digital humanities
DESCRIPTION
In this workshop we will discuss the use of technology in the work of the humanities, also known as Digital Humanities (DH). We will discuss how faculty can us DH to archive historical documents, as well as how DH might be used to motivate students with different learning styles. For technologists, you will learn the tools many people are using to implement DH projects, and how you can help faculty think about historical data in the context of a DH project.TRANSCRIPT
Roadmap
● Define Digital Humanities● Text Encoding Initiative (TEI)● Markup Languages● GIS (Geographical Information Systems)● Data Visualization● Tools for Digital Humanities● Questions
The study of human culture: Art, Literature, History, Philosophy, Music, Social Sciences,
etc.
What are the Humanities?
What is Digital Humanities
● The digital humanities is an area of research, teaching, and creation concerned with the intersection of computing and the disciplines of the humanities.
● Using technology to do the work of the humanities.
● http://docsouth.unc.edu/gtts/
● An XML-based schema for marking up texts
● Work began in 1987 with consortium formed in 2000
● Currently in 5th major revision● Formally endorsed by MLA & NEH
Text Encoding Initiative (TEI)
● Facilitate scholars’ access to textual data● Make preservation easier by using an
open, flexible, well-documented standard● Supply a common format for
representing knowledge about texts● Overcome platform dependence and
obsolescence
The problems TEI addresses
Information about atext that existsalongside that text but is distinct from the text itself.
Markup (Language)
“Old School” Markup
“A (document) markuplanguage is a modern
system for annotating the presentation and formatting of text that is separate from the
text itself.”
Defining Modern Markup
HTML Markup
• Separates document structure from document display
• Asserts something about the nature of each part of the document, i.e., it labels
components
• No display or processing instructions, generally speaking
Semantic Markup
XML Markup
(HTML display tags vs. semantic tags)
<FONT> <person>
<COLOR> <location>
<SIZE> <lastName>
<B> <I> <U> <flightNumber>
Display vs. Structure
● http://www.wwp.brown.edu/outreach/seminars/_current/handouts/tei_samples/
The Swinburne Archive is a digital collection devoted to the life and work of Victorian poet A. Charles Swinburne.
● HTML View● Raw XML● Timeline
Examples
● Allows for plotting of data points on a map● Allows you see patterns you may not
otherwise recognize● Tools are ARCGIS, Google Maps and
openGIS
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
● Altas of Early Printing○ http://atlas.lib.uiowa.edu/
● Beyond Steel: Industry and Society in 19th and 20th century LeHigh County, Pennsylvania○ http://gisweb.cc.lehigh.
edu/BeyondSteel/● Caribbean Cholera Map
○ http://caribbeancholera.org
GIS Examples
A linear representation of data; events, pictures, video, ect.
● http://www.timetoast.com/● http://timeglider.com/● http://www.tiki-toki.com/● http://timeline.verite.co/ (jquery)
Timelines
● TEI● GIS● Omeka (LAMP)● Wordpress/DH● Custom
Other DH Tools
Data Visualization
Visual representation of information that has been abstracted in some schematic form.
● Identify your data set○ How large/small is the data set○ What is the format○ What is the complexity
● Analysis of data○ Does the data need to be aggregated○ If so, what tools will we use to process
it● Visualize it
○ Identify what works for your dataset○ It’s a process; wash-rinse-repeat
Process of Data Visualization
What can DH do for you?
Academics○ View data in new and interesting ways○ Get your data online (accessible to the public)○ Motivate students of different learning styles
Technologists○ Use your skills to solve interesting problems○ Collaborate outside of technology○ Use data in interesting ways
● http://digitalhumanities.unc.edu● http://digitalscholarship.wordpress.com/● http://omeka.org/blog/2013/08/20/back-to-
school-edition-use-omeka-in-your-class/
Resources
●
TODO