Courses

dight_pie_chartStudents from all over campus have completed DigHT coursework. Since 2006, 45% of the students who enrolled in DigHT courses declared majors in something other than a humanities discipline, with majors from the College of Fine Arts and Communications accounting for 17% of the enrollment. This diversity of interest and background enriches DigHT courses. Students gain insights from classmates whom they may not have met otherwise.

Most of the courses offered through the Digital Humanities and Technology program are organized into two-course sequences or “tracks.” There are no restrictions or prerequisites for enrolled BYU students who wish to register for any of the 200-level courses.

All DigHT courses seek to integrate technology tools with content from the Humanities, and are held in computer labs where every student has access to the tools and content. In most of these courses, lectures are the exception, not the rule. Class time is more often organized as group discussions and time to experiment with the technology. Most class projects allow students to integrate their own interests into the products they produce.

Digital Humanities Track

DigHT 215: Introduction to the Digital Humanities. An introduction to the premises and practices of the Digital Humanities. An exploration of current technology used in Digital Humanities research. 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters. Note: This course is required for the Digital Humanities and Technology minor degree.

DigHT 315: Research in the Digital Humanities. Applications of computer technology to research in the Digital Humanities across language and literature, e.g., text processing, data mining, information storage and retrieval, etc. 3.0 credits, winter semester. Prerequisite: DigHT 215.

Programming Track

DigHT 210: Humanities Technology: Tools & Skills. An introduction to the fundamental principles and skills of programming. Students create applications using the LiveCode programming environment. No previous programming experience is requried. 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters.

DigHT 310: Programming in the Humanities. Covers intermediate topics in programming and creating applications in the LiveCode programming environment. Includes digital media integration, networked and mobile (iOS and Android) app development. 3.0 credits, winter semester. Prerequisite: DigHT 210.

Print Publishing Track

DigHT 230: Introduction to Print Publishing. An introduction to electronic layout and its place in the publication process. Focuses on basic design theory and skills with Abode InDesign. Includes instruction on Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. No previous design or publishing experience is required. 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters, spring term. Note: This course is required for the Editing minor degree.

DigHT 330: Print Publishing 2. Teaches advanced application of digital layout and typesetting using Adobe InDesign, as well as image preparation using Adobe Photoshop. 3.0 credits, winter semester. Prerequisite: DigHT 230

Web Track

DigHT 250: Web Publishing. An introduction to web programming. Includes HTML, CSS, and some JavaScript. Also covers the history of the Web, its standards, and philosophical implications of its preeminence in modern civilization. No previous programming or web development experience is required, but students should be comfortable using the Web. 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters.

DigHT 350: Web Information Technologies. Covers database design (MySQL) and server-side scripting (PHP) to create dynamic Web sites. Includes techniques for Web-based Digital Humanities applications, (e.g., crowd-sourced markup, automatic data visualizations, etc.). 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: DigHT 250.

Linguistic Computing Courses

DigHT 260: Programming for Text Processing and Analysis. Explores Intermediate techniques with programming languages (e.g., PERL) and toolkits suited for use with text analysis. 3.0 credits, winter semester. Prerequisite: LingC 200 or CS 100 or equivalent experience.

Seminar Courses

DigHT 390R: Tools Development Seminar. Individual or group development of new technological tools with use in the Digital Humanities. Up to 3.0 credits, offered on faculty request.
DigHT 395R: Digital Humanities Research Seminar. Individual or group research of original problems in Digital Humanities research. Up to 3.0 credits, offered on faculty request.

Capstone Experiences

DigHT 495R: Digital Humanities Project. Original research project on open questions within the Digital Humanities field. Content and/or technology advisor is required. 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters. Prerequisite: Any 300-level DigHT course.

DigHT 496R: Technology Internship. Sponsored development of technology tools for application within the Digital Humanities (e.g., print or electronic publishing production, courseware/software development, museum/collection/textbase management, language/linguistic tools, etc.). Approval by internship provider, DigHT Coordinator, and BYU Internship Office are required. Up to 3.0 credits, fall and winter semesters, spring term. Prerequisite: Any 300-level DigHT course.