HUCO 520: Technical Concepts and Approaches in Humanities Computing

This course will provide students with an understanding of the technical aspects of Humanities Computing and an introduction to underlying computer methods - it is the companion course of the more theoretical HUCO-500 course. Students will gain technical skills that allow them to assess the nature of research problems in the Humanities and learn either to address these problems themselves or to discuss design issues with computer specialists.

Whereas HUCO-500 has readings associated with each week's meeting, HUCO-520 will have weekly assignments. Click on the links from the schedule to see the assignment due the following week by the beginning of class. A PDF version of the course syllabus can be found here.

Fall 2004
  • Instructors:
    • Stan Ruecker (office: Arts 334D; hours: Fridays 12-2pm)
    • Sean Gouglas (office: Tory 2-77; hours: Monday 1-3pm)
  • Location: Huco Lab (Old Arts 112)
  • Time: Thursday, 1pm - 3:50pm

Schedule

Date

Topic

September 9 Welcome (SR and SG)
September 16 Hardware (SG)
September 23 Dreamweaver (SR)
September 30   HTML and XML (SR)
October 7 SPSS Assignment, data file from class (SG)
October 14 TAPoRware (SR)
October 21 Access, Assignment (SG)
October 28 Procite and others (SG)
November 4 GIS (SG) Canada
November 11 No class scheduled
November 18 Illustrator and Photoshop (SG) Europe Map Colour
November 25 Flash (SG) Robot
December 2 Javascript (SR)

Evaluation

The University Calendar states, “Grades reflect judgements of student achievement made by instructors. These judgements are based on a combination of absolute achievement and relative performance in class.” As such, the following mathematical distribution of grades should be viewed as guideline for course evaluation.

Major Project (45% of the total grade). The major project provides an opportunity for members of the class to implement technical skills learned over the course of the term. The projects should be similar in scope and magnitude to a term paper of approximately 20 doubled-spaced, typewritten pages, but can take a variety of forms, including web pages, multimedia, and computer programs. The major project includes a metadocument component; the nature of the document will be explained during class. Projects must be discussed with and approved by the instructors prior to the end of October. The major project is to be submitted electronically and the metadocument component is also to be submitted in print form. Due December 10th.

Weekly Assignments (45% of the total grade). The weekly assignments are intended as mini-projects to reinforce the theoretical and technical skills acquired during that week. The assignments will be defined at the end of each Wednesday session and will be due at the beginning of class a week later. The weekly assignments in this course will each build on the previous week’s work. Assignments are to be submitted electronically, unless otherwise specified.

As each of your weekly assignments build on the previous week’s work, it is important that you find a suitable dataset with which to work. You will have a few weeks to talk to faculty members in your department to see if there is a project that might provide suitable material. If this is not possible, then please use data from the Statistics Canada webpage.

Participation (10% of the total grade). Students should contribute positively and effectively during class time. Please come to class prepared. Students are strongly encouraged to help one another with technical tasks during class as well as for assignments (individual and unique assignments are required).

Deadlines:

The standing policy of this course is that late papers and assignments will be penalized 3 marks per day including weekends. Extensions may be granted if the professor is approached in advance.

Grading System:

The following table illustrates the new grading system for graduate courses in the Faculty of Arts. This course will follow this system.

Letter Grade Numeric Grade

Standing

A+
90-100
Excellent
A
85-89
A-
90-92
B+
87-89
Good
B
79-86
B-
74-78
Satisfactory
C+
68-73
C
63-67
Failure
C-
58-62
D+
54-57
D
50-53
F
0-49

Student's Responsibilities

  1. Students should come to class each week having completed any required readings, assignments, or other preparatory materials.
  2. Students should participate actively and appropriately in the classroom and online discussions.
  3. Students (teams) should prepare clear and focused papers, presentations and projects for the assigned topics.
  4. Students should respect the opinions of their peers even though the frank exchange of ideas can often result in a heated discussion.

Academic Dishonesty

  • Policy about course outlines be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)
  • The University of Alberta iscommitted to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 SEP 2003)