In many ways, the humanities are already digital: whether you’re working on Utopia or Utopia Avenue, most of us do our research, writing, and sometimes even reading at a computer. In these situations, the computer replaces the index, the pen, and the printed book. In a sense, then, the computer has simply sped up processes with which humanists were already familiar.
But what might we gain if we begin to use the computer to do something that only it can do? How would it change our understanding of a book if we laid it out in geographical space? What would it mean to look at every frame of a film at once? What could we discover if we read everything a prolific author wrote, in just two weeks? And what would we learn if we turned the tables and decided to look at digital objects the same way we typically look at novels or films?
In this course, we will consider these questions as we explore the field of digital humanities (DH). Through readings and various projects, we will familiarize ourselves with the concepts, tools, and debates of and within DH.
Course Goals ✅
- To strengthen your testimony of the gospel
- To become familiar and conversant with various concepts and methods in the digital humanities
- To collaborate in fields that have traditionally privileged individual scholarship
- To become more skilled writers through public practice
Syllabus 📜
You can download the syllabus as a PDF as it was on the first day of class. But it’s worth noting that the authoritative version of the schedule and syllabus is this website.
Texts 📚
The required texts for the course are the following:
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You are welcome to purchase these books from the BYU Bookstore; I’ve also provided links if you prefer to buy them on Amazon. Please make sure that you buy the editions listed here, so we’ll all be on the same page—literally and metaphorically. You’re welcome to read these texts electronically, on whatever device you’d like. Whatever you do, be sure that you have your copy of the text by the assigned dates.
There are a number of texts that are only available from Course Reserves or online. You must have a copy of these texts on the day we discuss them, whether a hard copy or a copy on a portable device.
Grades 💯
Assignments will be worth the following points:
Participation: 150
Blogging: 200
Website: 50
Mapping Project: 100
Midterm: 150
Videogame Project: 125
Film Project: 75
Butler Project: 75
Final Exam: 75
Grades will be calculated within this range:
899-875 B+ 874-825 B 824-800 B- etc.
My Course Policies
Communication 🗣
The best time to get in touch with me is during my office hours. I consider this your time, and I encourage you to use it. During the Fall 2021 semester, my office hours will be from 9:30-10:00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 12:00-1:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. I’m happy to meet at other times—just ask or schedule an appointment: https://calendly.com/briancroxall. Given the recent state of the world, I’m happy to meet in my office or on Zoom; just let me know your preference.
After office hours, the next best way to get in touch with me is by sending an email. I respond to any email I receive during the week within 24 hours. I will often respond more quickly, but it’s not something you should count on.
Participation 🙋🏽
As mentioned above, our class relies on your active, collaborative, and engaged participation in activities and discussions. You should come to every class having carefully read and thought about the assignment. Be ready to discuss it with your colleagues: your thoughts and questions will provide the starting point for many of our discussions. Your participation will be factored into your final grade for the course. If you’re reluctant to speak up in a group setting, please talk to me during office hours, and we’ll figure out a way for you to participate.
Attendance 👮
Participating in class, of course, requires that you be present. Given COVID-19, however, you should not come to class if you are experiencing any potential symptoms. 🤒 On those days, you can participate in class via Zoom—as long as you send a message at least 30 minutes before the start of class. Attending via Zoom should not be something you do at a whim; it’s only intended for keeping our community safe.
Assignments 🙇
Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late work will not be accepted, except at my discretion and with a penalty.
Late Instructor⌚️ 👀
In the unlikely event that I am late to class, you may feel free to leave 15 minutes ⏱ after its scheduled start. Don’t count on this happening.
Final Exam 🎓
Our final is scheduled on Thursday, 16 December from 3:00-6:00 pm Mountain time. BYU policy forbids me from changing this time. 👮♂️🚫🔀 ⏰ Please add this date on your calendar now, so you don’t miss it. And be sure you haven’t booked tickets before it takes place.
Phones 📱😶
This should go without saying, but let’s say it anyway: please put your phone and other devices on silent before class.
Laptops / Classroom Computers 👩💻
Our classroom is equipped with computers at every seat. We will use these tools and/or your own computers regularly. However, computer keyboards present temptations that many students (and professors!) find irresistible. If you seem distracted by what’s on your screen, I may ask you to not use a computer. Many days we will not use the computers at all, so we can focus our attention on other things. When this is the case, please don’t be the only person using one.☠️
Technical Snafus 🤯
This course relies heavily on access to computers, specific software, and the Internet. At some point during the semester, you WILL have a problem with technology. To forestall this, you should develop work habits that take such snafus into account. Start assignments early and save often. Always keep a backup copy of your work saved somewhere secure. It is entirely your responsibility to take the proper steps to ensure your work will not be lost irretrievably; if one device or service isn’t working, find another that does.
This said, I’ll be asking you to do a number of new, exciting, and complicated things. If things don’t work and it’s my fault 🤦♀️, I will not hold that against you. (This has definitely happened before.) What’s more, I’m more than happy to answer questions about assignments during class or my office hours. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you, like me, are learning. And if I seem scary, 👻 our awesome TA, Hannah Johnson, is definitely not. 🐶
Acknowledgments 🙌
Despite what you might think, professors don’t know everything. This course and syllabus are the product of my talking with colleagues and looking at their syllabi over a process of years. You can read about the first version of this class at http://bit.ly/IntroDH2011. A big revision took place in 2014 and owed debts to Zach Whalen, Chuck Rybak, and Stewart Varner. People who affected my take on the course in 2015 include Ryan Cordell and Miriam Posner. The first iteration of the course at BYU (Fall 2017) was informed particularly by a class taught by Mark Sample, and a different course of his was a good model for the digital culture revisions to the 2018 version. The changes I made in 2019 were influenced by discussions with Dallyn Giles, McKinsey Koch, and Ryan Williams. In 2020, I drew on the expertise of Jason Rhody and Cynthia Beck This year, the Amazing Hannah™ provided an important sounding board as did comments from previous students and colleagues. In short, as Heraclitus might say, you can’t take this course twice.
BYU Policies
Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation, and every instructor’s expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 801-422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
COVID-19 Statement
While COVID-19 conditions persist and until further notice, students and faculty are required to wear face coverings at all times during class; faculty are not at liberty to waive this expectation.
Students who feel sick, including exhibiting symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 (fever; cough; shortness of breath/difficulty breathing; chills; muscle pain; sore throat; new loss of taste or smell; etc.) should not attend class and should work with their instructor to develop a study plan for the duration of the illness.
Preventing Sexual Misconduct
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Brigham Young University prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment-including sexual violence-committed by or against students, university employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in university policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of “Sexual Misconduct” prohibited by the university.
University policy requires all university employees in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory role to report all incidents of Sexual Misconduct that come to their attention in any way, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of Sexual Misconduct should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator [at] byu [dot] edu or 801-422-8692. Reports may also be submitted through EthicsPoint at titleix.byu.edu/report or 888-238-1062 (24-hours a day).
BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by Sexual Misconduct, including the university’s Victim Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at titleix.byu.edu or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator.
Student Disability
Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Whether an impairment is substantially limiting depends on its nature and severity, its duration or expected duration, and its permanent or expected permanent or long-term impact. Examples include vision or hearing impairments, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, emotional disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), learning disorders, and attention disorders (e.g., ADHD). If you have a disability which impairs your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC, 2170 WSC, 801-422-2767) to request a reasonable accommodation. The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. If you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, please contact the Equal Employment Office (D-285 ASB, 801-422-5895) for help.
Mental Health
Mental health concerns and stressful life events can affect students’ academic performance and quality of life. BYU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS, 1500 WSC, 801-422-3035, caps.byu.edu) provides individual, couples, and group counseling, as well as stress management services. These services are confidential and are provided by the university at no cost for full-time students. For general information please visit caps.byu.edu; for more immediate concerns please visit help.byu.edu.
BYU College of Humanities Statement on Inclusion
We strive to cultivate mutual respect and empathy for all people, no matter their ethnic, racial, or cultural background, or sexual orientation. Elder Ballard said at a BYU devotional in Feb. 2020: “Through discrimination, racism, sexism, and other social ills, we will often impose false identities on others that keep them and us from progressing. This can stop when we see all people as children of God. We consider every person divine in origin, nature, and potential. Each possesses seeds of divinity. And ‘each is a beloved spirit [child] of heavenly parents.’”
The College of Humanities is attuned to the reality of an increasingly diverse Church membership. We aspire to better understand our own language and history, and to use language to connect and heal rather than to divide and harm. We invite students, staff, and faculty to use their time in our college to strive toward conduct worthy of Christian discipleship, where we are “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
