[1] From: Eric Johnson <johnsone@jupiter.dsu.edu> (85)
Subject: Humanities computing course via Internet
Computing for the Humanities
Taught via Internet
During the summer of 1996, Dakota State University will offer
CHUM 650 Computing for the Humanities: a course that students can
complete via Internet: by viewing and receiving materials via the
World Wide Web and by sending email. The three-semester-hour
course is offered for graduate credit.
INSTRUCTOR:
Eric Johnson, Ph.D.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of computer applications in the humanities such as
analysis of texts, arranging data from research, and formatting
for printing and desktop publishing.
The focus of the course will be on analysis of texts using
computer programs created by Prof. Johnson. The programs and
instructions for their use will be provided to all enrolled
students.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Students will be assigned projects such as the following:
Computing the number of words in texts, noting the
frequency of specific words and types of words;
Computing the number and percent of sentences of various
lengths in a file with a graph of results;
Generating key-word-in-context concordances for all words
or selected works in a text;
Computing the percent of words on multiple lists that are
found in multiple texts (such as lists of words denoting
colors, food, travel, and so on in selected 19th-century
novels).
Recording the relative location of words in texts and
graphing positions.
Processing texts with SGML markup:
Generating indexes by page or line number for texts;
Counting the number of words of dialog for each speaker
in a novel;
Separating the words of dialog for each speaker in a
novel so that characters can be analyzed based on their
speech.
PREREQUISITES:
Normally, students will have earned a baccalaureate degree and
will have completed a minimum of 24 semester hours of course work
in the humanities; advanced undergraduate students with a strong
background in computing and in the humanities will be considered
for admission -- they should contact the instructor at
johnsone@jupiter.dsu.edu
Without exception, all students must be able to do the following:
Be able to execute DOS and Windows computer programs on
a 386 (or better) microcomputer with 4 MB of RAM (or more);
Be able to use email to send and receive messages via
Internet;
Be able to view World Wide Web pages and to download files
from Web sites.
EVALUATION:
Students will be given the "grades" of CREDIT or NO CREDIT (much
like PASS or FAIL) for the course. Students may audit the course
and receive a "grade" of AU regardless of their progress or
performance -- the cost of auditing is the same as taking the
class for credit. (Students must make the determination of
whether to be an auditor at the time of initial registration, and
they cannot change once they have started the course.)
COSTS:
Current graduate tuition is $291.00 for a three-semester hour
course. (An increase in tuition rates is expected prior to the
start of CHUM 650; the increase last year was about 3 percent).
There are no additional charges for textbooks nor for computer
programs (they will be provided on the Web).
COURSE DATES:
Students can complete the requirements of the course at their own
pace. They may begin the course on May 15 or any time thereafter;
all completed course requirements must be received by August 1.
REGISTRATION:
Students must register for the course (and make payment) prior
to May 15. They may register by completing a form on the Web at:
http:/www.dsu.edu/distance-ed/interapp.html
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Answers to frequently asked questions about CHUM 650 can be found
at
http://www.dsu.edu/~johnsone/chumfaq.html
Information can be requested from the Admissions Office and
Registrar by sending email to
dsuinfo@columbia.dsu.edu
A Web page similar to this message can be found at
http://www.dsu.edu/~johnsone/chum.html
Questions about CHUM 650 can, of course, be directed to Eric
Johnson by email at
johnsone@jupiter.dsu.edu