Digital Pedagogies in the Humanities
Reading Circle Opportunity
Digital Humanities (DH), often defined as the convergence of digital technologies and the humanities for scholarly ends, has a contentious history, characterized on the one hand by a long-held insistence that DH be more rigidly defined and on the other hand by calls for a broader definition giving due regard to the ever-changing digital terrain supporting DH’s very existence. So intent have people been on erecting guard rails around DH’s definition that only in the last few years has the discipline opened itself to pedagogical offshoots—or, in other words, discussions surrounding how DH’s methods and defining principles of adaptability, creativity, and openness can be leveraged not just in service of scholarship, but for the teaching of humanistic disciplines.
In the spirit of these discussions, the Center for Academic Technology is pleased to announce launch of its Digital Pedagogies in the Humanities Reading Circle. The goals of this endeavor, outlined below, are tentative and presuppose revision to fit the needs and interests of participants. All participants will receive a copy of Digital Humanities in the Classroom: A Practical Introduction for Teachers, Lecturers, and Students (2017) by Claire Battershill & Shawna Ross of Simon Fraser and Texas A&M, respectively.
Reading Circle Goals
Spring 2018 goals will include the following:
- Support the ongoing exploration and creative employment of digital pedagogies in the humanities;
- Take inventory of digital pedagogy projects at peer and aspirant universities;
- Examine the scholarly and pedagogical affordances of digital authoring and design tools;
- Vet rubrics for digital media projects and discuss how/if evaluative criteria correspond to University Learning Outcomes and related outgrowth initiatives;
- Consider digital humanities projects as avenues for student-faculty collaborative research and cross-curricular scholarship;
- Identify training needs and funding opportunities for faculty interested in launching digital pedagogy projects.
Eligibility
The reading circle is open to all Butler University faculty and academic staff.
Expectations of Participants
- Attend five f2f meetings during Spring 2018 (Access this linked form to confirm your participation and vote for a meeting schedule no later than January 31, 2018.)
- Participate in activities and discussion
- Provide feedback on your experience with the reading circle to share with the Butler Community
Wednesday Reading Circle
Schedule of Readings and Discussion Topics
February 14th: Introduction (pgs. 1-11) and “Overcoming Resistance” (pgs. 12-24)
February 28th: “Finding, Evaluating, and Creating Digital Resources” (pgs. 25-40) and “Ensuring Accessibility” (pgs. 41-59)
March 21st: “Designing Syllabi” (pgs. 61-78) and “Designing Classroom Activities” (79-95)
April 18th: “Managing Classroom Activities” (pgs. 96-111) and “Creating Digital Assignments” (112-127)
May 2nd: “Evaluating Student Work” (pgs. 128-145) and “Connecting to Your Research” (195-208)
Thursday Reading Circle
Schedule of Readings and Discussion Topics
February 15th: Introduction (pgs. 1-11) and “Overcoming Resistance” (pgs. 12-24)
March 1st: “Finding, Evaluating, and Creating Digital Resources” (pgs. 25-40) and “Ensuring Accessibility” (pgs. 41-59)
March 15th: “Designing Syllabi” (pgs. 61-78) and “Designing Classroom Activities” (79-95)
April 12th: “Managing Classroom Activities” (pgs. 96-111) and “Creating Digital Assignments” (112-127)
April 26th: “Evaluating Student Work” (pgs. 128-145) and “Connecting to Your Research” (195-208)
Facilitation
The reading circle will be co-facilitated by James McGrath, Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature and Faculty Director of the Core Curriculum, and Megan Grady-Rutledge, Academic Technology Specialist and GHS Adjunct. Information Commons Librarian Amanda Starkel will serve as the group’s lead librarian and share in facilitation responsibilities as necessary. For more information, contact Megan Grady-Rutledge at mmgrady@butler.edu or ext. 8533.