HIST 698: Creating Software for History

HIST 698-001: Programming in Hist/New Media
(Fall 2014)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM W

Research Hall 402

Section Information for Fall 2014

This course will teach you how to use computer programming for research in history. The focus is on gaining familiarity with several languages in order to understand their underlying principles, and on connecting programming methods to specific problems that historians want to solve. Our first major section will be on data analysis, in which you will use the R language to analyze historical data both quantitatively and geographically. You will also learn how researchers structure, manipulate, and clean their data. Our next major section will be on scripting for research, using Ruby to access APIs and scrape web documents. Then we will use Ruby to create our own simple web applications and to interact with relational databases. Finally we will move on from Ruby to PHP, a commonly used language for web applications like Omeka and WordPress. No previous experience with programming is required, but students are strongly encouraged to have already taken Clio 1 and Clio 2. This course fulfills requirements in the Applied History track.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Introduces students to the basics of software development and its deployment within the field of digital history. Students explore theoretical and historical issues as well as learn the basics of software development. Note: Students with limited computer competency should consult with department before enrolling. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: HIST 696, or literacy in new media.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.