Exploring the Past: Archives, Documents, and Digital History

Course Objectives:

Throughout the semester, we will explore fundamental concepts and methodologies employed by historians. Moreover, we will engage in critical analysis exercises of diverse historical sources, encompassing written texts, visual materials, oral testimonies, artifacts, and cultural sites. Additionally, we aim to cultivate proficiency in digital tools and techniques for historical inquiry, including data analysis and visualization methods. The course will also entail the practical application of digital tools and techniques for examining historical documents.

Course Content:

This course provides an introductory overview of the field of historical studies, focusing on key concepts such as the nature of history, the importance of archives and documents, and the methodologies for reading, analyzing, and interpreting historical sources. Additionally, from data analysis to data visualization techniques, students will learn how technology is revolutionizing the study of history, and they will have the opportunity to apply these techniques to the corpus of sources they will work with throughout the semester.