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79075-01 - Seminar: Introduction to Digital Studies: Qualitative, Critical, and Theoretical Approaches (4 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Ryan Healey (ryan.healey@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Weekly Thursdays 14.15 - 18.00 Uhr This course is a general introduction to digital studies across humanities and social sciences, with a focus on qualitative approaches to studying the digital world. With examples, concepts, and case studies spanning different disciplines--including, but not necessarily limited to, fragments from history, language and literature, media studies, arts, culture, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology--students shall become acquainted with a variety of examples and methods used to study the digital qualitatively. Conceptual and theoretical questions shall be explored alongside critical interpretive dimensions of data, algorithms, platforms, AI, and media technologies at large. The accompanying exercise/tutorial session shall provide an opportunity to go further into the topics introduced, and will include elements of hands-on qualitative work from the fields of code studies, videogame studies, software studies, and critical making. |
| Learning objectives | By the end of this course, students will be able to: Develop critical thinking skills for analyzing digital technologies from multiple humanities and social science perspectives. Apply qualitative methods to the study of digital objects such as data, algorithms, platforms, games, and AI systems. Understand and critically engage with theoretically informed qualitative and qualitative–quantitative approaches (e.g. conceptual work on tokens, vectors, models, and computational representations). Articulate theoretically grounded interpretations of digital phenomena across cultural, historical, and social contexts. |
| Bibliography | Most reading materials will be made available digitally during the semester. Selected primary materials may include cultural artifacts such as videogames, software platforms, or short literary works (e.g. a novel or novella), which students may be asked to acquire independently. No comprehensive textbook is required. |
| Comments | The exercise/tutorial session complements the lecture by offering hands-on qualitative work in areas such as code studies, videogame studies, software studies, and critical making. |
| Admission requirements | The number of participants is limited. In case of over-subscription, students of Digital Humanities will be given priority. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 26.02.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Fasnachtswoche |
| Thursday 05.03.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 12.03.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Rosshofgasse (Schnitz), Sitzungsraum S 184 |
| Thursday 19.03.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 26.03.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 02.04.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Osterwoche |
| Thursday 09.04.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 16.04.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 23.04.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 30.04.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 07.05.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 14.05.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Auffahrt |
| Thursday 21.05.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Thursday 28.05.2026 | 14.15-18.00 | Kollegienhaus, Seminarraum 210 |
| Modules |
Modul: Digital Humanities, Culture and Society (Master's degree subject: Digital Humanities) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Assessment (Lecture) Assessment for the lecture component will consist of a lightweight evaluative format (e.g. a final exam or equivalent assessment). The exact format may be adjusted to align with course content. Assessment (Exercise / Tutorial Session) The exercise/tutorial session will be assessed through active participation and the completion of a series of short practical assignments (approximately 4–5). Students must pass a required proportion of these assignments to receive credit for the exercise component. Assessment may be based on submission and/or in-class performance. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Digital Humanities Lab |