A survey of the tools and techniques of computation as applied to concepts in humanities. Covers the use of computing to analyze and synthesize textual, visual, and aural data, as well as the creation of new digital artifacts using computation. Topics normally include natural language processing and translation, information retrieval, sentiment analysis, document clustering, data visualization, procedural music generation, and digital art. Prerequisite: CSCI 150
Upon completing this course, my goal is for you to be able to:
- Computationally analyze digital creative works comprised of text, images, and sound.
- Combine quantitative and qualitative analysis of a digital creative work.
- Visualize and summarize textual, musical, and visual information.
- Measure and visualize similarity of digital creative works.
- Employ algorithmic structures to synthesize original digital creative works.
Generative AI
Use of generative AI to create (or help create) a solution to any class assignment is
forbidden. This includes code, natural-language text responses to discussion
questions, visual art, and music. Any such usage is considered plagiarism, is subject
to Academic Integrity sanctions, and will be penalized, at a minimum, as loss of credit
on the assignment.
Exceptions may be granted for particular assignments. In particular, there are some
potential final project topics where use of generative AI would be relevant and
interesting. In those cases, the use of generative AI will need to be agreed upon
with the instructor at the project proposal stage.
A total of 11 labs will be assigned throughout the semester, approximately one lab per week.
Each submission will be assessed as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3. The criteria for
each level of credit will be given for each lab. Furthermore, submitting a solution by the specified
due date earns one additional level of credit.
The final project for this course may take one of two forms:
- You may apply a computational humanities tool to a dataset of your choice.
- You may create an original creative digital work. It may involve any combination of text, images, and music
that you wish. The creative work must have an algorithmic aspect at its core.
Either form of project will require submitting the following:
- A project proposal.
- An oral presentation in the final exam period for the course.
- A paper, either analyzing your results or reflecting upon your creative work.
- All code used in creating the project, sufficient to digitally reproduce your work.
The final project will be assessed as follows:
- If you complete all activities you described in the project proposal as approved by the instructor,
the project receives Level 2 credit.
- If the proposed goals seem unrealistic, they may be renegotiated at any time up to 24 hours prior
to the final exam period.
- A sincere attempt at completing those goals receives Level 1 credit.
- Submitting the proposal on-time earns one additional credit.
- Giving a progress report earns a second additional credit.
- Delivering a satisfactory final presentation earns a third additional credit.
- After completing groups of labs at Level 2 or higher, a student is expected to
undertake a formative assessment by visiting the instructor’s office
hours for a demonstration of understanding.
- A Level 1 assessment demonstrates some understanding of the topic but
with significant gaps.
- A Level 2 assessment demonstrates full expected understanding of the topic.
- Each assessment earns from 1 to 3 assessment credits
- One credit for each level achieved.
- One additional credit for assessing on or before the deadline.
- If a student receives a Level 1 assessment, they are welcome to schedule a second
formative assessment to attempt to achieve Level 2 based on feedback from the
assessment.
- There are five assessments, yielding a total of 15 available assessment credits.
| Assessment |
Lab Group |
Deadline |
| 1 |
Labs 1, 2, 3 |
F 27 Feb |
| 2 |
Labs 4, 5 |
F 6 March |
| 3 |
Labs 6, 7 |
F 20 March |
| 4 |
Labs 8, 9, 10 |
M 20 April |
| 5 |
Lab 11 |
W 29 April |
- To earn an A:
- Earn at least 41 lab credits.
- Earn at least Level 2 credit on every lab.
- Earn at least 13 assessment credits.
- Earn Level 2 credit on every assessment.
- Earn all six possible final project credits.
- To earn a B:
- Earn at least 33 lab credits.
- Earn at least 11 assessment credits.
- Earn at least 5 final project credits.
- To earn a C:
- Earn at least 25 lab credits.
- Earn at least 9 assessment credits.
- Earn at least 4 final project credits.
- To earn a D:
- Earn at least 17 lab credits.
-
Earn at least 7 assessment credits.
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A survey of the tools and techniques of computation as applied to concepts in humanities. Covers the use of computing to analyze and synthesize textual, visual, and aural data, as well as the creation of new digital artifacts using computation. Topics normally include natural language processing and translation, information retrieval, sentiment analysis, document clustering, data visualization, procedural music generation, and digital art. Prerequisite: CSCI 150
Upon completing this course, my goal is for you to be able to:
- Computationally analyze digital creative works comprised of text, images, and sound.
- Combine quantitative and qualitative analysis of a digital creative work.
- Visualize and summarize textual, musical, and visual information.
- Measure and visualize similarity of digital creative works.
- Employ algorithmic structures to synthesize original digital creative works.
Generative AI
Use of generative AI to create (or help create) a solution to any class assignment is
forbidden. This includes code, natural-language text responses to discussion
questions, visual art, and music. Any such usage is considered plagiarism, is subject
to Academic Integrity sanctions, and will be penalized, at a minimum, as loss of credit
on the assignment.
Exceptions may be granted for particular assignments. In particular, there are some
potential final project topics where use of generative AI would be relevant and
interesting. In those cases, the use of generative AI will need to be agreed upon
with the instructor at the project proposal stage.
A total of 11 labs will be assigned throughout the semester, approximately one lab per week.
Each submission will be assessed as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3. The criteria for
each level of credit will be given for each lab. Furthermore, submitting a solution by the specified
due date earns one additional level of credit.
The final project for this course may take one of two forms:
- You may apply a computational humanities tool to a dataset of your choice.
- You may create an original creative digital work. It may involve any combination of text, images, and music
that you wish. The creative work must have an algorithmic aspect at its core.
Either form of project will require submitting the following:
- A project proposal.
- An oral presentation in the final exam period for the course.
- A paper, either analyzing your results or reflecting upon your creative work.
- All code used in creating the project, sufficient to digitally reproduce your work.
The final project will be assessed as follows:
- If you complete all activities you described in the project proposal as approved by the instructor,
the project receives Level 2 credit.
- If the proposed goals seem unrealistic, they may be renegotiated at any time up to 24 hours prior
to the final exam period.
- A sincere attempt at completing those goals receives Level 1 credit.
- Submitting the proposal on-time earns one additional credit.
- Giving a progress report earns a second additional credit.
- Delivering a satisfactory final presentation earns a third additional credit.
- After completing groups of labs at Level 2 or higher, a student is expected to
undertake a formative assessment by visiting the instructor’s office
hours for a demonstration of understanding.
- A Level 1 assessment demonstrates some understanding of the topic but
with significant gaps.
- A Level 2 assessment demonstrates full expected understanding of the topic.
- Each assessment earns from 1 to 3 assessment credits
- One credit for each level achieved.
- One additional credit for assessing on or before the deadline.
- If a student receives a Level 1 assessment, they are welcome to schedule a second
formative assessment to attempt to achieve Level 2 based on feedback from the
assessment.
- There are five assessments, yielding a total of 15 available assessment credits.
| Assessment |
Lab Group |
Deadline |
| 1 |
Labs 1, 2, 3 |
F 27 Feb |
| 2 |
Labs 4, 5 |
F 6 March |
| 3 |
Labs 6, 7 |
F 20 March |
| 4 |
Labs 8, 9, 10 |
M 20 April |
| 5 |
Lab 11 |
W 29 April |
- To earn an A:
- Earn at least 41 lab credits.
- Earn at least Level 2 credit on every lab.
- Earn at least 13 assessment credits.
- Earn Level 2 credit on every assessment.
- Earn all six possible final project credits.
- To earn a B:
- Earn at least 33 lab credits.
- Earn at least 11 assessment credits.
- Earn at least 5 final project credits.
- To earn a C:
- Earn at least 25 lab credits.
- Earn at least 9 assessment credits.
- Earn at least 4 final project credits.
- To earn a D:
- Earn at least 17 lab credits.
- Earn at least 7 assessment credits.
Commitments
It is my ultimate goal for this course, and my teaching, to
develop your academic skills, advance your learning
of computer science concepts, and support the liberal arts in general. To do so
will require commitments from myself and from you toward meeting this goal.
Active Participation
I will be prepared and on time for class each day, ready to use class time
to help you understand the course material. I will respectfully listen to,
understand, and answer questions asked in class.
You are expected to attend class and actively participate in discussions every day,
answering questions, asking questions, presenting material, etc. Your
participation will be respectful of your classmates, both of their
opinions and of their current point in their educational journey, as we
each approach the material with different backgrounds and contexts.
Constructive Feedback
I will keep office hours and be available for outside appointments, and respond
to emails within one business day (not including weekends).
I will provide feedback on group presentations within one day. For exams, projects,
and homeworks, I will provide graded feedback within two weeks.
You are encouraged to provide constructive comments for improving this
course for furthering your learning throughout the semester.
There will be an opportunity for
anonymous course feedback
at the end of the term, in which I hope you all participate. Through your
feedback I can improve this course and others for future students.
Academic Integrity
I will abide by the above syllabus and grade your work fairly.
As stated in the Hendrix Academic
Integrity Policy, all students have agreed to adhere to the following principles:
- All students have an equal right to their opinions and to receive constructive criticism.
- Students should positively engage the course material and encourage their classmates to do the same.
- No students should gain an unfair advantage or violate their peers' commitment to honest work and genuine effort. It follows that any work that a student submits for class will be that student's own work. The amount of cooperation undertaken with other students, the consistency and accuracy of work, and the test-taking procedure should adhere to those guidelines that the instructor provides.
- Members of the Hendrix community value and uphold academic integrity because we recognize that scholarly pursuits are aimed at increasing the shared body of knowledge and that the full disclosure of sources is the most effective way to ensure accountability to both ourselves and our colleagues.
More details of our departmental stance on integrity can be found in the
Hendrix
Computer Science Academic Integrity Policy
Learning Accomodation
I will make this classroom an open and inclusive environment,
accommodating many different learning styles and perspectives.
Any student
seeking accommodation in relation to a recognized disability should inform me
at the beginning of the course.
It is the policy of Hendrix College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant
to federal and state law. Students should contact Julie Brown in the
Office of Academic
Success (505.2954; brownj@hendrix.edu) to begin the accommodation process.
Physical and Mental Health
I am willing to work with you individually when life goes off the rails.
Coursework and college in general can become stressful and overwhelming, and
your wellness can be impacted when you least expect it. You should
participate in self-care and preventative measures, and be willing to
find support when you need it.
- The Office of Counseling Services
welcomes all students to see a counselor
in a private and safe environment regardless of their reasons for making an
appointment. Counseling services are available to all Hendrix students
at no cost.
- Student Health Services
provides free healthcare to Hendrix students. Services are provided by an
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in collaboration with a local physician.
The Offices of Counseling Services and Student Health Services are located in the white house
behind the Mills Center for Social Sciences at
1541 Washington Avenue.