One of the reasons I’m coming to THATCamp as a computer scientist is to plan for an introductory course in computer science (CS) we will be offering in the Fall, with applications in Digital Humanities. As a liberal arts college, students in all majors have taken our first course (often to satisfy a general education requirement), including humanities students. How might studying CS help prepare students for DH?

I must clarify that my field is more about designing computations than in learning to use standard software or media tools. Many of the postings and comments I’ve seen on this site have expressed interest in training for using those tools, as opposed to the education in design of computations that we care the most about in CS. The principles of CS are the elements of computation that remain relevant as new technologies come and go, and although those principles provide valuable perspective and insight, relatively few people take the time to invest in learning CS as they approach new applications of computation. How many of us professors can put a priority on studying yet another field in support of our scholarly and educational work?

But perhaps we can ask our students to become knowledgeable in those other fields. They can help us to form interdisciplinary collaborations, and they will benefit from the long-term perspectives they gain. I’ve flown these and some related ideas in comments to posts, such as Molly’s Librarian-Faculty Collaboration, John’s Digital Archives, and especially Amy’s Finding One’s Way.

For the bootcamp, “Integrating Digital Humanities Projects into the Undergraduate Curriculum”, after we go through one example of integrating a project into a course, we will work in groups to practice this technique.  In order for this exercise to work, we need your help.  Please add your courses and projects to the wiki.  Your group will vote on which project they want to workshop–each group will use a checklist to brainstorm around creating assignments, assembling resources, and integrating DH research into undergraduate courses.  If you don’t have course or project, don’t worry–someone else will.  You’ll need to request access to the wiki if you haven’t already.  Just follow the wiki link and click the button for requesting access.

If you’re planning to take part in the bootcamp, “Integrating Digital Humanities Projects into the Undergraduate Curriculum”, please join our wiki:  integratingdh.pbworks.com/w/page/40112677/FrontPage

To get access just follow the link above and click on the link to request access.  Once we we grant access you should get another message.  If you don’t hear from us, try contacting me directly rdavis@nitle.org or via twitter @frostdavis.

You can also access readings for the workshop and share assignment ideas in advance in the wiki.

Below is the schedule we’ve worked out for Bootcamp 1: Integrating Digital Humanities Projects into the Undergraduate Curriculum.  Let us know if you have any questions or feedback.  We’ll also have a wiki for the bootcamp so we can continue to share resources.

To get the most out of “Bootcamp 1: Integrating Digital Humanities Projects into the Undergraduate Curriculum” take a look at these readings in advance:

Blackwell, C., & Martin, T. R. (2009). Technology, Collaboration, and Undergraduate Research. Digital Humanities Quarterly, 3(1). Retrieved from www.digitalhumanities.org/dhq/vol/3/1/000024/000024.html

Cavanagh, S. (2010). Bringing Our Brains to the Humanities: Increasing the Value of Our Classes while Supporting Our Futures. Pedagogy, 10(1), 131-142.  Retrieved from muse.jhu.edu/journals/pedagogy/v010/10.1.cavanagh.html

• You can also get this one in our wiki.  Just click the link and request access.

We’re also developing a wiki for this bootcamp and will share the agenda and wiki link soon.