Bachelor of Science in Digital Humanities
Digital humanities is the interdisciplinary study of traditional humanities subjects and concerns using digital technologies. The Bachelor of Science in Digital Humanities (DHUM) offers students a unique opportunity to combine humanistic inquiry in areas such as communication, history, language and linguistics, literature, and philosophy with a sophisticated skill set that is readily applicable to professional fields. Students majoring in digital humanities complete required courses that include training in research and writing skills as well as web and interactive design. Additionally, all students choose a traditional humanities specialization in history, literature, or philosophy; an interdisciplinary specialization; and a minor concentration. This enables them to develop deeper topical knowledge while pursuing the subjects they find most interesting. The digital humanities curriculum cultivates critical thinking and communication skills along with a host of technical proficiencies.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Humanities Requirement | (20) | |
| HUM 208 | Digital Culture | 3 |
| COM 201 | Digital Writing | 3 |
| COM 330 | Standards-Based Web Design | 3 |
| COM 331 | Web Application Development | 3 |
| HIST 355 | Digital Labor | 3 |
| HUM 380 | Topics in Humanities (Digital Humanities Research Methods) | 3 |
| CS or ITM Elective | 2 | |
| Digital Humanities Specialization | (15) | |
| Select from the following: Game Studies and Design, Information Architecture, Policy and Ethics, or Science and Technology Studies. See the Specializations tab for complete descriptions. | 15 | |
| Traditional Humanities Courses | (9) | |
| Select from the following: AAH, COM, HIST, LIT, or PHIL. Students may complete topically appropriate independent study courses to fulfill this requirement. | 9 | |
| Capstone Elective | (6) | |
| Select six credit hours | 6 | |
| Mathematics Requirements | (5) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D | 5 | |
| Computer Science Requirements | (2) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D | 2 | |
| Natural Science and Engineering Requirements | (11) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section D | 11 | |
| Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements | (21) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C | 21 | |
| Introduction to the Profession | (3) | |
| Select three credit hours | 3 | |
| Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) | (6) | |
| See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E | 6 | |
| Free Electives | (28) | |
| Select 28 credit hours | 28 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 126 | |
Bachelor of Science in Digital Humanities (DHUM) Curriculum
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| Introduction to the Profession | 3 | COM 201 | 3 |
| HUM 208 | 3 | CS 116 | 2 |
| MATH 130 | 3 | Social Sciences Elective | 3 |
| CS 115 | 2 | Humanities or Social Science Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Humanities 200-level Course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| BIOL 105 & BIOL 109 | 4 | COM 331 | 3 |
| COM 330 | 3 | HIST 355 | 3 |
| HUM 380 (Digital Humanities Research Methods) | 3 | DHUM Specialization Course | 3 |
| Traditional Humanities Course | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | BIOL 114 & BIOL 117 | 4 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| Science/Engineering Elective (not BIOL) | 3 | IPRO Elective I | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | MATH 425 | 3 |
| DHUM Specialization Course | 3 | DHUM Specialization Course | 3 |
| Traditional Humanities Course | 3 | Traditional Humanities Course | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (300+) | 3 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | Semester 2 | Credit Hours |
| DHUM Specialization Course | 3 | DHUM Specialization Course | 3 |
| Capstone Elective I | 3 | Capstone Elective II | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | IPRO Elective II | 3 |
| Social Sciences Elective (300+) | 3 | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credit Hours: 126 | |||
Digital Humanities Specializations and Minors
The digital humanities program incorporates specializations in interdisciplinary subject areas including information architecture, policy and ethics, and science and technology studies. Digital humanities majors complete five courses in one of these areas as part of their degree requirements. These specializations are also available as minors to students in other programs. These specializations provide opportunities for in-depth interdisciplinary study of topical areas. A detailed description for each specialization with a listing of course requirements is included below.
Game Studies and Design
The specialization in game studies and design provides students with theoretical, historical, and applied knowledge in the production and study of games. The specialization is relevant to students interested in pursuing careers in and around the games industry and is also relevant for those interested in careers in experience and interaction design, human computer interaction, and related areas.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GSAD Foundations | (9) | |
| HIST 373 | History of Video Games | 3 |
| HUM 371 | Fundamentals of Game Design | 3 |
| HUM 372 | Interactive Storytelling | 3 |
| Technical Proficiency | (3) | |
| Select a minimum of one course. Additional courses recommended. | 3 | |
| Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 | |
| Computer Graphics | 3 | |
| Database Organization | 3 | |
| Mobile Applications Development | 3 | |
| Artificial Intelligence Language Understanding | 3 | |
| Theoretical Proficiency | (3) | |
| Select a minimum of one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Human Motivation and Emotion | 3 | |
| Learning Theory | 3 | |
| Cognitive Science | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Information Architecture
The information architecture specialization prepares students with a rich historical, theoretical, and practical foundation in technology and humanities for careers in web design/development, user experience and interface design, and other digital communications careers.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COM 421 | Technical Communication | 3 |
| or COM 428 | Verbal and Visual Communication | |
| Select two of the following (only one can be a COM 380): | 6 | |
| User Experience Research and Evaluation | 3 | |
| Document Design | 3 | |
| Technical Editing | 3 | |
| Topics in Communication | 3 | |
| Select two of the following (only one can be a COM 380): | 6 | |
| Information Structure and Retrieval | 3 | |
| Knowledge Management | 3 | |
COM 543 | 3 | |
| Topics in Communication | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
Policy and Ethics
Students in the policy and ethics specialization study and analyze ethical and policy concerns in a variety of areas such as technology, urban and global development, and media. Policy and ethics is particularly relevant for students with an interest in public policy, nonprofit management, philosophy, law, and related fields.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | (3) | |
| Select at least one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Ancient Philosophy | 3 | |
| Origins of Modern Philosophy | 3 | |
| Twentieth Century Philosophy | 3 | |
| Great Philosophers | 3 | |
| Political Philosophy | 3 | |
| Social Philosophy | 3 | |
| Applied Ethics | (3) | |
| Select at least one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Communication Law and Ethics | 3 | |
| Science and Values | 3 | |
| Engineering Ethics | 3 | |
| Ethics in Architecture | 3 | |
| Business Ethics | 3 | |
| Ethics in Computer Science | 3 | |
| Policy Fundamentals | (3) | |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Politics and Public Policy | 3 | |
| Comparative Public Policy | 3 | |
| Methods of Policy Analysis | 3 | |
| Specialized Policy Courses | (6) | |
| Select two courses from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Energy Policy | 3 | |
| Urban Policy | 3 | |
| International Development | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 | |
- 1
Additional courses may apply to this area, with adviser approval.
Science and Technology Studies
Science and technology studies teaches students theories of techno-social growth and development through case studies of large technological systems. It trains students to analyze the ways in which technological growth re-engineers social relationships and how social relationships are in turn written into technological systems. Students with an interest in STS will find themselves well placed to thoughtfully and productively engage in a variety of areas that require a deep understanding of the interaction of large-scale technical and social systems. The knowledge and critical thinking skills learned in the STS subdiscipline can be deployed in public policy, journalism, academic or health administration, technical writing, and more. Note: Additional COM 380, HUM 380, and HIST 380 courses may also be approved depending on course content. 15 credit hours is required for this specialization.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| STS Foundation | (3) | |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Science and Technology Studies | 3 | |
| Politics of Science and Technology | 3 | |
| STS Methods | (3) | |
| Select a minimum of one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Communication | 3 | |
| Science and Method | 3 | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 3 | |
| Intermediate Geographic Information Systems | 3 | |
| STS Topics | (6) | |
| Select a minimum of two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Mass Media and Society | 3 | |
| Communication Law and Ethics | 3 | |
| History of Video Games | 3 | |
| Disasters! | 3 | |
| History of Computing | 3 | |
| Technology in History: 1850 to Present | 3 | |
| Topics in Humanities | 3 | |
| Philosophy of Science | 3 | |
| Science and Values | 3 | |
| Ethics in Computer Science | 3 | |
| Politics of Science and Technology | 3 | |
| The Social Dimension of Science | 3 | |
| Innovation Policy | 3 | |
Traditional Humanities Specializations
History
Choose a minimum of nine credit hours from any 300-level or higher HIST course.
Linguistics
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of nine credit hours from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Introduction to Linguistics | 3 | |
| World Englishes | 3 | |
| Structure of Modern English | 3 | |
| History of the English Language | 3 | |
| The Human Voice: Description, Analysis and Application | 3 | |
| Discourse Analysis | 3 | |
| Intercultural Communication | 3 | |
- 1
Other courses such as COM 380 Topics in Communication may be used toward the specialization, depending on the topic.
Literature
Choose a minimum of nine credit hours from any 300-level or higher LIT course.
Philosophy
Choose a minimum of nine credit hours from any 300-level or higher PHIL course.
