11.0370 new & online courses

Humanist Discussion Group (humanist@kcl.ac.uk)
Tue, 28 Oct 1997 18:29:39 +0000 (GMT)

Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 11, No. 370.
Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King's College London
<http://www.princeton.edu/~mccarty/humanist/>
<http://www.kcl.ac.uk/humanities/cch/humanist/>

[1] From: Geoffrey Rockwell <grockwel@mcmaster.ca> (77)
Subject: New Courses

[2] From: Willard McCarty <Willard.McCarty@kcl.ac.uk> (12)
Subject: Lecture Hall

--[1]------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 18:04:05 -0500
From: Geoffrey Rockwell <grockwel@mcmaster.ca>
Subject: New Courses

The Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University is introducing a set of
new courses in the general area of Humanities Computing and Multimedia
Communication. I have enclosed a list of the courses with brief course
descriptions below. They are all one semester courses. As we prepare to
defend such a collection of courses to the appropriate University
committees I would appreciate any comments members of Humanist might have.
Please feel free to send your comments directly to me
(grockwel@mcmaster.ca) or to the list, if of general interest.

In addition to introducing these courses we are proposing a Certificate in
Multimedia Communication that students can get in addition to their degree
if they take a sufficient number of these courses and fulfill certain other
requirements. At McMaster Certificates are like Minors, but with fewer
requirements. Anyone interested in the full proposal shoulld write me - I
would be happy to send you a copy, should such bureaucratic documents
interest you.

Thanks in advance,

Geoffrey Rockwell
Director, Humanities Computing, McMaster University

-------------------------------------------

1.1 HUMAN 2E03 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS IN THE HUMANITIES
An introduction to issues in Humanities Computing. Students will
study the history and present state of computing and information technology
with particular attention given to issues around communication and human
interaction. In this context, students will also learn skills such as how
to use MS-DOS, word processing, electronic mail, how to browse the
Internet, and how to search a database. No previous experience with
computers is necessary.

1.2 HUMAN 2H03 THE DIGITAL IMAGE: COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND DESIGN
An introduction to the creation of digital images and associated
design issues. Students will read about issues concerning the digital
image, learn to design for the World Wide Web, and learn to use graphics
software in order to complete design assignments.

1.3 HUMAN 2I03 WRITING IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE
Covering the fundamentals of grammar and essay composition in the
electronic age, this course will use supplementary writing software,
distribution lists, and on-line discussion, to increase students' awareness
of the communication potential of the Internet. Readings will explore the
effects of the electronic age on communication and composition.

1.4 HUMAN 2J03 ORALITY AND COMMUNICATION IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE
The study of classical and electronic examples of oral discourse,
and the analysis of their persuasive techniques. Students will analyse
numerous examples of oral communication collected from print and electronic
media. There will be a practicum where students deliver an expository
speech with multimedia support.

2.1 HUMAN 3G03 MULTIMEDIA IN THE HUMANITIES
This course is for students in the humanities who want to study
computer-based multimedia and create multimedia works. Students will
discuss how to evaluate multimedia works, create such works, and consider
the application of multimedia technology to the humanities.

2.2 HUMAN 3A03 TOPICS IN THE PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY OF COMPUTING
Seminar in the history and philosopy of computing and
communications technology; topics will include: Computers and Gender, The
Ethics of Computing, The History of Computers and Communications
Technology, and Privacy and the Freedom of Speech in the Age of the
Internet.

2.3 HUMAN 3F03 ELECTRONIC TEXTS AND THEIR STUDY
An introduction to the fundamentals of computer-assisted text
analysis research in the humanities. In the context of humanities
research, students will learn to use text-analysis tools and will be
introduced to computational linguistics. Students will be expected to work
on projects related to their specific discipline.

2.4 HUMAN 3B03 TECHNICAL WRITING AND COMMUNICATION
Explore issues such as audience analysis, the role of jargon and
specialized language. Students will be asked to complete a project of
their own devising, including a proposal, a final report, and a videotaped
presentation.

2.5 HUMAN 3C03 HUMAN COMPUTER INTEFACE DESIGN
Explore the history and design of computer interfaces. Work on a
major project in interdisciplinary teams to research and prototype an
interface for presentation in class. We will also discuss issues around
usability and evaluation of computer interfaces.

2.6 HUMAN 3D03 INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY IN MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Independent enquiry projects in the area of multimedia
communications are encouraged. Students will be expected to make a formal
proposal, to present the results of the enquiry to their peers, and to
summarize the results in the appropriate form.

--[2]------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 14:06:59 GMT
From: Willard McCarty <Willard.McCarty@kcl.ac.uk>
Subject: Lecture Hall

Humanists will be interested at minimum in checking out the World Lecture
Hall, which "contains links to pages created by faculty worldwide who are
using the Web to deliver class materials." It's at
<http://www.utexas.edu/world/lecture/>.

WM

----------
Dr. Willard McCarty
Senior Lecturer, Centre for Computing in the Humanities
King's College London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
+44 (0)171 873 2784 voice; 873 5081 fax
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/humanities/cch/wlm/

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