Archival Research and Creation of a Digital Text 8/27-9/12

Archival Research

Week 0:

Wednesday, August 27

  • Introduction, Expectations, Assignments, Grade distribution

Friday, August 29

  • Word Press set up–bring your computer to class!

Assignment #1: Trial post to website.

  • Due Monday, September 1:
  • Choose one of the sample DH projects on this site.  Given the six categories of DH approaches we have outlined e.g. distant reading, visualization, mapping, what is the primary DH focus of this website?  Is there a secondary approach addressed in the project?  How does method fit with the scholarly subject matter? In what way does the medium of the subject matter determine the choice of mode of digital representation?
  • Your post should be 300-350 words and should include 2 visual components. Post in category “Practice”

Week 1:

Monday, September 1

  • Reporting back on Practice Blog
  • For Wednesday, read James Merrell, “Shamokin, The Very Seat of the Prince of Darkness” in Contact Points: American Frontiers from the Mohawk Valley to the Mississippi 1750-1830, eds. Cayton and Teute (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1998), pp. 16-59. (Find it in Readings)
  • Discussion questions to think about while reading
  • How does  James Merrell describe Shamokin in the 18th century ? Which preconceptions about European and Native contact does his article address? Are you surprised by his conclusions? What is different about Shamokin than other Native settlements? What kind of leader is Shikellamy?
Screenshot 2014-09-04 18.37.09
A word cloud created from the text of James Merrell’s article on Shamokin

 

Wednesday, Sept. 3

  •  Who were the Moravians?  Why does this matter?
  • Virtual Museum visit with Dr. Paul Peucker at Moravian Archives in Bethlehem, PA
  • Read Faull, Topographies of Contact (in Readings)
  • Slides are here: confluence talk
Screenshot 2014-09-05 13.48.58
Word cloud created from Faull, “Topographies of Contact”

Friday, Sept. 5

  • Viewing of Last of the Mohicans (excerpt)
  • httpv://youtu.be/E9SEFMIBwAs
  • Full movie available on Moodle site for HUMN 100-01.

Week 2:

Monday September 8

  • Report back on transcription comprehension

Wednesday September 10

Friday, September 12

  • What is metadata and why is it so important?
  • Transcription practice–putting things together…

Transcription assignment #1 due Sunday night (9/14-11pm)

For Monday, read Whitley, “Visualizing the Archive” in The American Literature Scholar in the Digital Age, eds. Amy E. Earhart and Andrew Jewell (Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2011), pp. 185-208.

 

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