Master's programme Digital Humanites, University of Groningen

Summary

The Master's track in Digital Humanities equips students with the skills to apply digital methods to humanities fields like language, literature, and history. The program offers a critical, interdisciplinary approach, integrating digital tools such as programming, network analysis, and data visualization. Students gain expertise in working with professional databases and statistical tools, preparing them for careers in both academia and industries like software. Graduates have successfully combined humanities research with computational methods, such as tracing literary sources, and are well-prepared for roles requiring digital information processing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Digital Humanities explores humanities subjects like language, literature, history, and philosophy through digital methods.
• 😀 The program integrates information technology into humanities research, helping students collect, analyze, and visualize data.
• 😀 A critical, humanities-driven perspective is maintained throughout, even when using digital tools.
• 😀 The program focuses on three areas: theory, data processing, and transferable skills.
• 😀 Students gain experience with professional databases, programming scripts, and statistical tools.
• 😀 Coding for the humanities is taught, though the program is not geared towards data science.
• 😀 The goal is to combine humanistic perspectives with digital tools and programming skills.
• 😀 Students learn practical skills like network analysis and topic modeling.
• 😀 Graduates of the program integrate humanities perspectives with computational methods, as shown in examples like Joyce's notebooks.
• 😀 The program prepares students for careers that involve processing digital information across various industries.
• 😀 The interdisciplinary nature of Digital Humanities offers both academic and practical career opportunities, as exemplified by alumni success stories.

Q & A

What does the Master's track in Digital Humanities equip students to do?

The Master's track in Digital Humanities equips students to explore humanities subjects like language, literature, films, history, media, and philosophy through digital methods and incorporates information technology in humanities research.

What are the main areas of focus in the courses offered in this program?

The courses in the program are organized into three main areas: theory, data processing, and transferable skills.

What kind of digital tools and methods will students learn to work with?

Students will learn to work with professional databases, programming scripts, statistical tools, and will also acquire specific coding skills for the humanities.

Is this a data science program?

No, this is not a data science program. The focus is on complementing a humanistic perspective with digital tools and programming skills.

What kind of skills will students gain during the program?

Students will gain critical reasoning skills, an understanding of humanities research, and expertise in digital tools, programming, and data processing, preparing them for a variety of career paths.

What are some examples of the methods students will learn in this program?

Students will learn methods such as network analysis and topic modelling.

Can you give an example of a successful thesis from a graduate of this program?

An example is the thesis 'Tracing Joyce’s notes for Ulysses' (2017), which used automation strategies for the digital representation and tracing sources of James Joyce’s notebooks.

What kind of job opportunities are available for graduates of this program?

Graduates are equipped for jobs that require the processing of digital information, such as roles in academia, business analysis, and software industries.

How did the program impact a graduate's career?

A graduate mentioned that Digital Humanities broadened their career horizons, providing valuable interdisciplinary training in humanities research and practical expertise, which led to both academic and industry opportunities.

What path did a graduate take after completing the program?

After graduation, the individual started as a Business Analyst in the software industry but later pursued a PhD in Digital Humanities, stating that the program well-prepared them for both academic and professional paths.