---

Digital and Computational Studies

Professors Greer (Mathematics) and Lawson (Digital and Computational Studies, chair); Associate Professors Ashwell (Philosophy) and Diaz Eaton (Digital and Computational Studies); Assistant Professors Greene (Neuroscience), Shrout (Digital and Computational Studies), and Tamirisa (music); Visiting Assistant Professor Baker (Digital and Computational Studies); Lecturer Saha (Earth and Climate Sciences and Physics)

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 is problem-oriented and reflective. By paying attention to the values and motivations underlying the development and use of computers; exploring the consequences of computers and computation for society; and engaging in programming, algorithmic development, and design, students can better understand what goes on beyond the user interface.

The program advances learning and scholarship across multiple disciplines, informed by concepts, methods, and tools of computer science and digital studies. In courses, students analyze the relationships among power, structural inequality, and technology. They recognize computers and data as social constructions and consider the context in which computing is undertaken. They explore the theory, the logic, and limits of coding and computation, and the role of algorithms and heuristics in problem solving. They engage in the assessment, analysis, and visualization of data. They also participate in digital and computation communities, contributing culturally responsive, public-facing digital work and open science. Additionally, they call on values to make decisions that are consistent with digital ethics, decolonizing frameworks, and social good.

Digital and computational studies courses span programming, computational theory, and critical theory. All courses are contextualized in real-world settings and/or partner disciplines. Programming and computational methods courses develop the theory and practice of computer programming, algorithmic thinking, and computational methods. Critical digital studies courses interrogate the social construction and use of programming and computing and apply critical theory to the digital age. Integrated courses explore the interface of programming and computational methods and critical digital studies. More information on the values, goals, and practices of the Program in Digital and Computational Studies may be found on the program website (bates.edu/digital-computational-studies/)

Minor

Students completing the minor in digital and computational studies gain experience in:

1) creating interdisciplinary bridges between the liberal arts and the digital world,
2) collaborating with each other to tackle social justice and community issues using digital and computational skills,
3) solving complex problems with a critical lens and computational and algorithmic thinking.

These are shared learning goals across digital and computational studies courses. Students are encouraged to engage in an exploration of breadth through courses tagged in different areas. Students will also have the opportunity to develop depth in particular areas of interest, with elective credits.

Minor Requirements

The minor consists of six courses, satisfying the following:

1) Courses are listed, or cross-listed, as digital and computational studies (DCS or DC), not including DCS 401.
2) With prior approval of the chair, up to two of the six courses may be replaced by another option, such as an internship or a course taken outside of Bates. If an internship is approved, DCS 401 may be included as one of these courses.
3) At least two courses are at the 200-level or 300-level, or the s20 level or above.
4) Content areas. Students must take courses from at least two of the following content areas: Critical Digital Studies, Programming and Computer Science Theory, and Digital and Computational Praxis (which includes Computational Modeling and Statistics, Data Analysis, Computational Creativity and Art, and Digital Community Engagement). Courses are tagged with attributes to indicate their engagement with the diverse practices, theories, and applications in digital and computational studies. A course with two attributes may count for each attributes: double-dipping is permitted.
5) At least three courses must be taught by Bates faculty. Internships do not count toward these three courses.

Students may include up to two Short Term courses as part of their DCS minor. Each Short Term course counts as one course toward the minor.

The minor is not available to students who have declared a General Education Concentration in Digital and Computational Studies.

Pass/fail Grading Option

Pass/fail grading may be elected for only one course applied toward the minor in DCS.

Courses
Short Term Courses