Catalog
Digital and Computational Studies
Associate Professors Ashwell (Philosophy), Diaz Eaton (Digital and Computational Studies), Greer (Mathematics, chair), Imber (Classical and Medieval Studies), and Tefft (Economics); Assistant Professor Shrout (Digital and Computational Studies)
Data and computers are transforming virtually every facet of our professional and personal lives. Increasingly, they are the dominant media for how we generate, apply, and share knowledge. The digital and computational studies program endeavors to prepare students for lives of work and study that require proficiency in using constructed electronic platforms, software, and large, complex datasets. The program is also deliberately problem-oriented and reflective. Instructors in the program assume that by paying attention to the values and motivations underlying the development and use of computers
The faculty established the interdisciplinary program in digital and computational studies in 2015-16. The program's goals are to advance learning and scholarship across multiple disciplines informed by concepts, methods, and tools of computer science and digital studies. Specifically, the program aims to interrogate the values and assumptions of a digitized world; increase understanding of the power and limitations of computers in solving problems; advance understanding of the theory and logic of computation; promote proficiency in the assessment, analysis, and visualization of data; build competency in the analysis of complex relationships among data sources; promote creative and competent use of algorithms in problem solving; and foster connections across disciplines.
Currently, the Committee on Digital and Computational Studies is developing the curriculum with new courses added during this and future academic years. As extant courses are cross-listed in digital and computational studies (DS) and new courses are developed in the program (DCS), they will be listed below.
DCS 102. The Design of Digital and Computational Systems.
A first exploration of the design of computational systems. Like art, music, and literature as well as physical and social systems, computational systems have an underlying structure and beauty. This course introduces those structures and encourages the exploration of how we can manipulate them to create dynamic and engaging systems that represent both the world around us as well as universes imagined. The course lays foundations for computer programming, explores questions regarding gender and race in digital communities, and creatively investigates digital and computational ideas throughout the liberal arts. Enrollment limited to 18. Normally offered every year. Staff.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 103. People, Places, Prose, and Programming.
This course introduces digital and computational methods for the study of traditionally humanistic objects, including letters, fiction, prose, maps, or other kinds of documents. The course involves reading, critical reflection, and computer programming. Student projects combine computer-assisted methods and traditional humanities questions about authors, style, and how we understand literary works in a rich context, including historical, geographical, and cultural concerns. Topics may include text analysis, topic modeling, mapping and geocoding, and network analysis. The course is appropriate for students new to programming. Enrollment limited to 18. Staff.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 105. Calling Bull in a Digital World.
Our world is rife with misinformation. This course is designed to hone digital citizenship skills. It is about "calling bullshit": spotting, dissecting, and publicly refuting false claims and inferences based on quantitative, statistical, and computational analysis of data (with R). Students explore case studies in policy and science; possible examples include food stamps, caffeine, improving traffic, and gendered mortality rates. Students practice visualizing data; interpreting scientific claims; and spotting misinformation, fake news, causal fallacies, and statistical traps. In so doing, the course offers an introduction to programming. Enrollment limited to 39. [Q] C. Diaz Eaton.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 106. TechnoGenderCulture.
Two premises inform this course: technologies have histories and cultures; technologies are gendered. The course brings together the disciplinary approaches of science and technology studies and gender and sexuality studies to explore contemporary problems at the intersection of gender and technology. Students explore classic texts in these fields and undertake design processes that help them apply those texts to real-world problems. Enrollment limited to 29. (Community-Engaged Learning.) A. Shrout.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 107. Sensing the World.
Through sensing and simulation, students engage with environmental questions that are fundamentally about justice and equity. In this course, students learn to ask research questions about the world around us: questions to which we do not know the answer. Using environmental sensing and computational simulations, students attempt to answer their questions and then share their results with members of the local, disciplinary, and global community. This course for well suited for students interested in learning computing while engaging with real research questions about the natural world. Normally offered every other year. Staff.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 108. Introduction to Computation for Science and Mathematics.
This course computationally explores mathematical, ecological, and environmental justice ideas and issues such as limits, integration, population dynamics, and climate change. The course introduces students to programming, from coding through spreadsheets to Octave/Matlab. The course aims to deepen students' understanding of mathematical concepts through computational approaches, explore how computation is changing science and mathematics, and help prepare students to productively engage with coding in upper-level science and mathematics courses. Prerequisite(s) or corequisite(s): MATH 106. Normally offered every year. [QF] C. Diaz Eaton.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 202. Nature of Data, Data of Nature.
This first course in data structures and data analytics is built around the collection of data from the world around us, and the analysis and visualization of those data through computational methods. Students explore the structure of data, which enables them to write increasingly complex programs. They study the analysis and presentation of data because the collection and presentation of information is a critical part of all courses of study in the liberal arts. Finally, they practice and discuss how to actively engage in both of these activites in community and collaboration with others. Prerequisite(s): one 100-level digital and computational studies course. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 24. Normally offered every year. [Q] Staff.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 204. Data Cultures.
The computational humanities comprise a fast-growing and exciting field that is changing the way scholars work and think. This course provides an opportunity for students with some experience with programming to immerse themselves in semester-long projects in digital environments, moving from "analog" archives, through data structuring, and quantitative analysis, and culminating with a project that makes both the humanities and quantitative analyses legible for people from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite(s): one 100-level digital and computational studies course. Not open to students who have received credit for DCS 104. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 18. [HS] [L] [SR] A. Shrout.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 210. Programming for Data Analysis and Visualization.
This course teaches computer programming with a focus on quantitative data analysis and visualization. Primarily using the Python programming language, fundamental programming concepts and high-level tools for data manipulation and visualization are introduced using a variety of projects with cross-disciplinary applicability. In addition to writing computer programs, students learn the concepts and methods for effective presentation of data. Prerequisiste(s); DCS 102, 103, 105, 108, 202, 204 or DC/MU s23. Enrollment limited to 20.New course beginning winter 2020. Enrollment limited to 20. One-time offering. M. Haining.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DC/MU 219. Composing Sonic Systems.
This course takes computational and communications systems concepts, such as randomness, probability, generativity, signal processing, feedback, control (and non-control), and listening as parameters for electronic sound composition. Using the free, user-friendly visual programming environment, Pure Data (Pd), students create unique software-based artworks and compositions. Creative projects are grounded in theoretical and historical readings as well as listening assignments that provide context for the application of computational concepts and communications systems thinking to sonic arts practice. The course culminates in a final showing of sound art installations and performances. Recommended background: experience in one or more of the following: music composition, music performance, experimental arts, digital media, computer programming, electronics, media studies. New course beginning winter 2020. Enrollment limited to 15. Instructor permission is required. A. Tamirisa.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
DCS 302. Interpretation and Implementation of Languages.
Programming languages are the tools used to design, discuss, and implement computational systems. In this course, students explore the breadth of languages available, the theories and modes of thought they exemplify, and how those languages are implemented. By writing programs that run programs (called interpreters), students learn how to systematically simplify complex structures, both structures in data and structures in code. Given the expansive richness of computational languages, students build on their own learning of programming languages by engaging others who are on the same learning journey. Prerequisite(s): DCS 202. Enrollment limited to 24. Staff.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 303. Discrete Structures for Modeling.
This course introduces students to the discrete structures and the methodologies used in discrete approaches to modeling socio-ecological phenomena. In developing a toolkit for systems modeling, students explore questions about the nature of events, change, uncertainty, and interconnectedness in natural, physical, and social systems. In and out of the classroom, students engage actively with terminology, theoretical foundations, strategies for developing and testing mathematical and computational models. This learning is communicated through symbolic, numeric, visual, and verbal means against the backdrop of the complex, interconnected world we experience. Prerequisite(s): DCS 108 or and DCS 200 level course. Enrollment limited to 19. [QF] C. Diaz Eaton.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 304. Community Organizing for a Digital World.
In this course, students examine digital citizenship from the perspective of online communities. Students explore theories of collective action, community building, and network assembly, for example, the use of community organizing to propagate information in systems. In this community-engaged learning course, students produce a plan for social media and online organization for a partner community in computing and quantitative education. Prerequisite(s): one 100-level digital and computational studies course. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 24. (Community-Engaged Learning.) C. Diaz Eaton.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 305. Digital Maps, Space, and Place.
Space and place—visualized by maps—condition nearly every aspect of our lived experience. It is almost impossible to imagine everyday experiences without access to maps. Maps also encode power. They tell particular stories and represent dominant cultural understandings of spatial relationship. In this course, students consider the reasons for studying maps, the ways in which maps might inscribe or combat extant power structures, the tools needed for geospatial analysis, how to embed and analyze geographical information, and how to link historical maps to modern-day geographies. Prerequisite(s): one 200-level digital and computational studies course. New course beginning fall 2020. Enrollment limited to 15. Normally offered every other year. A. Shrout.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
DC/MA 316. PIC Math: Topics in Industrial Mathematics.
This PIC Math (Preparation for Industrial Careers in Mathematical Sciences) course is intended for students with a strong interest in industrial applications of mathematics and computation. Students work in teams on a research problem identified by a community partner from business, industry, or government. Students develop their mathematical and programming skills as well as skills and traits valued by employers of STEM professionals, such as teamwork, effective communication, independent thinking, problem solving, and final products. Prerequisite(s): MATH 205 and 206. New course beginning winter 2020. Enrollment limited to 15. Instructor permission is required. (Community-Engaged Learning.) One-time offering. A. Salerno.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
INDC 352. Preserving the Vibration: Digitizing the Legacy of Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor.
This course introduces public and digital humanities through the life and work of noted journalist, food anthropologist, and public broadcaster Vertamae Grosvenor. Public humanities is concerned with expanding academic discourse beyond academia and facilitating conversations on topics of humanistic inquiry with the community at large. Digital studies provide a plethora of unconventional ways to engage community in public dialogues for the greater good. Drawing from books, operas, NPR audio segments, interviews, cookbooks, and other artifacts of Grosvenor, students create and curate a digital archive. Themes include Gullah culture, African American migration, foodways, memoir, public memory, and monuments. Leading theories and methods of black feminism, material culture, race, food studies, new media and digital humanities are foregrounded. Cross-listed in Africana, American studies, digital and computational studies, and gender and sexuality studies. Prerequisite(s): one of the following: AF/AM 119; AF/HI 243; AFR 100; AMST 200; AM/EN 395B; AV/GS 287; GSS 100; INDS 250 or 267; REL 255 or 270. Enrollment limited to 15. M. Beasley.Interdisciplinary Programs
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS 360. Independent Study.
Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair are required. Students may register for no more than one independent study per semester. Open to first-year students. Normally offered every semester. Staff.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
DC/EC 368. Big Data and Economics.
Economics is at the forefront of developing statistical methods for analyzing data collected from uncontrolled sources. Since econometrics addresses challenges in estimation such as sample selection bias and treatment effects identification, the discipline is well-suited for the analysis of large and unsystematically collected datasets. This course introduces statistical (machine) learning methods, which have been developed for analyzing such datasets but which have only recently been implemented in economic research. The course also explores how econometrics and statistical learning methods cross-fertilize and can be used to advance knowledge in the numerous domains where large volumes of data are rapidly accumulating. Prerequisite(s): ECON 255. Enrollment limited to 19. N. Tefft.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
DCS 375. Network Analysis.
Networks are everywhere. They describe how people, organisms, and ideas connect and interact. Studying networks reveals patterns, systems, and frameworks that are, in many cases, otherwise invisible. This course introduces network analysis as a tool that offers insights into the construction of social, biological, and information systems. It scaffolds the terminology and theoretical underpinnings of network science. It also introduces the data wrangling, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, critical analysis, and data visualization tools that often accompany the studies of networks. Recommended background: experience with R programming or significant programming experience as well as prior coursework in critical digital studies. Prerequisite(s): one 200-level digital and computational studies course. New course beginning winter 2020. Enrollment limited to 15. C. Diaz Eaton, A. Shrout.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS s12. Community-Engaged Computing.
A first course in design thinking and programming in the context of community engagement. Students—with no prior experience assumed—engage collaboratively in the iterative design and development of software applications that benefit the community in a multitude of ways. In addition to significant engagement with community partners in this development process, students communicate through multiple modes and media (writing, audio, video) about their work and their reflections on themselves and the community in which they are taking part. Enrollment limited to 30. (Community-Engaged Learning.) Staff.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DC/GE s14. Communicating Climate Change.
Climate change is the foremost challenge we face as a global society, in part due to the complexity of connections it has to every aspect of modern life. However, there is a significant divide in public opinion on the relevant facts, repercussions, and strategies to address the interconnected issues. In this course, students examine the salient facts of climate change, the scale of changes we can expect to see in our lifetime, and some innovative ways in which these ideas are being communicated in the public realm. Students reimagine new approaches, bringing together scientific data and creative visualization. New course beginning short term 2020. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 16. Normally offered every year. [L] R. Saha.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
DC/MU s15. Sonic Arts and Crafts.
A hands-on course in which students explore and create the materials of sound making using simple circuitry and everyday objects. Class activities include building microphones using piezo discs and old telephones, building simple synthesizers, experimenting with conductive ink and thread, turning objects into speakers using transducers, and crafting novel speakers using copper foil and everyday materials. Students listen to, watch, and/or respond to a variety of related artwork that engages sonic materiality. They experiment and create original artworks utilizing techniques and concepts covered during the course, concluding with a final installation event showcasing student work. New course beginning short term 2020. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 12. One-time offering. A. Tamirisa.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
DCS s22. Past, Present, and the Possible Dystopian Future of Computing.
In this course, students examine the history, present, and possible future of computing through film and literature, focusing on questions at the intersection of computing, digital studies, and communication: Who are the stakeholders and participants in this intersectional area? What are the uses and abuses of data and computing in society? Who has the power of technology and who does not, and what are the consequences of that power? Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 18. [W2] C. Diaz Eaton.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DCS s30. Critical Digital Studies: Theory and Practice.
Critical digital studies combines code studies, computational studies, and digital humanities to investigate questions across the disciplines in ways that are collaborative, participatory, visual, and innovative. Through a combination of analytical, experiential, and collaborative exercises students merge traditional methods with digital tools to explore new useful methodologies for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating knowledge. They develop both technical and theoretical proficiency while engaging digital tools and resources to rethink old questions. They pose new questions, which can only be investigated through digital practice. Finally, they weigh the practical and theoretical implications of using digital methods to create more inclusive scholarship in the twenty-first century. Prerequisite(s): one digital and computational studies course. New course beginning short term 2020. Enrollment limited to 30. Normally offered every other year. A. Shrout.ConcentrationsInterdisciplinary Programs
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations
This course counts toward the following Interdisciplinary Program(s)
DC/MA s45T. Mathematical Image Processing.
Digital image processing is a field essential to many disciplines, including medicine, astronomy, astrophysics, photography, and graphics. It is also an active area of mathematical research with ideas stemming from numerical linear algebra, Fourier analysis, partial differential equations and statistics. This course introduces mathematical methods in digital image processing, including basic image processing tools and techniques with an emphasis on their mathematical foundations. Students implement the theory using MATLAB. Topics may include image compression, image enhancement, edge detection, and image filtering. Students conceive and complete projects—either theoretical or practical—on an aspect of digital image processing. Prerequisite(s): MATH 205. Enrollment limited to 29. K. Ott.Concentrations
This course is referenced by the following General Education Concentrations