New programme will build bridges between the humanities and IT
This autumn, the master programme Digital Humanities will be given for the first time. The programme is interdisciplinary and has attracted many applicants from all over the world. It has now also received financial support from the Knowledge Foundation, that believe it is of great value to both academia and business and society.
Digital humanities is an interdisciplinary research and education area that brings together the subject of computer and information science and subjects in the humanities such as language, history and art. The relationship is two-way: it is about developing and using digital tools in humanistic research – one typical example is to analyse large amounts of text using computers – but also about examining and evaluating the technology from a humanistic point of view.
Many applicants
Digital humanities is also the name of a new master programme at Linnaeus University. It is being given for the first time this autumn and will be carried out entirely as a distance education. The programme addresses both opportunities and challenges of the digital transformation of the humanities, as well as of society at large, and has aroused great interest.
"We have received 143 first choice applicants – 93 international and 50 Swedish. Of the international, 38 have already accepted", says Koraljka Golub, professor of library and information science and programme coordinator.
The programme prepares students for jobs in both the public and private sectors.
"It might be the cultural heritage sector – experts on digital tools and methods for engaging audiences – or librarians and researchers in the digital humanities. Then there are tasks at governmental agencies, organisations and companies that require knowledge of digital tools and methods as well as the challenges it involves to apply them critically, not least in the arts, culture and humanities", says Koraljka Golub.
Cooperation with companies and the public sector is important within the framework of the programme.
"They will help to shape the content of the programme, contribute with invited talks and pilot projects, and offer internships to students. In these ways, students may interact with authentic settings in the digital humanities."
Funding from the Knowledge Foundation
The value for both academia, business and society was also one of the areas the Knowledge Foundation highlighted when they recently granted the work on the programme SEK 2 million over two years.
"The funding gives us resources to further develop the programme and to develop new ways of collaborating with the external parties. In addition, their commitment through the funding scheme will provide us with important feedback from potential future employers across sectors", says Marcelo Milrad, professor of media technology.
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The master programme Digital Humanities has a close connection to Digital Transformations, one of seven Linnaeus Knowledge Environments at Linnaeus University.