CS620C
Structured Programming
10 ECTS
Pre Term
Overview
Programming fundamentals: variables, types, expressions and assignment; simple I/O; Conditional and iterative control structures (if statements and while loops); Strings and string processing; Use of class APIs for creating objects and calling methods; Understanding data abstraction and encapsulation; Problem solving: understanding and developing algorithms; Implementing algorithms as simple programs. Introduction to algorithms and data structures. Review of elementary programming concepts suitable for the implementation of abstract data types (operators, types and expressions; control of flow; methods; recursion; input & output); Algorithms for searching: linear, bounded linear and binary searches; Algorithms for sorting: selection, insertion, bubble and quick sorts; Fundamental linear data structures: stacks, queues, linked lists; Object-oriented programming: encapsulation and information hiding, classes, interfaces, class hierarchies, inheritance, polymorphism, basic exception handling; Analysis of basic algorithms. This module will begin on September 1st.
AFF601
Digital Humanities: Theory and Practice
10 ECTS
Semester 1
Overview
Digital Humanities is a fast growing interdisciplinary field that melds practices and traditions from the various disciplines of the humanities, computer science, information management, cultural studies, and design. This required introductory module will introduce students to the theories and methods in digital humanities scholarship. It will provide a historical background to the field while exploring contemporary theories, practices, and technologies. You can view the blog for this module here: Digital Humanities: Theory and Practice.
AFF606B
Digital Scholarly Editing
10 ECTS
Semester 1
Overview
This module will introduce students to the theory and practice of creating digital scholarly editions. This hands-on course will concentrate on image and full-text digital repositories. Students work as part of a team to create a digital scholarly edition. Areas to be explored include project management, assessing the collection in terms of project scope, deciding which technologies would most suit the material and the goals of the project, developing a metadata scheme, text encoding, annotation, and website design. To provide the background for these decisions, readings will be assigned throughout the semester. Students will also explore newer methods for creating editions, including crowdsourcing. You can view the blog for this module here: Digital Scholarly Editing.
AFF622
Digital Heritage: Theories, Methods and Challenges
10 ECTS
Semester 1
Overview
This module will provide students with solid technical skills on computational imaging methods for the three-dimensional digitisation, preservation, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of cultural heritage data. It will also introduce them to key theoretical topics and debates, as well as emerging themes in Digital Cultural Heritage, such as 3D printing and serious games. The module will develop students’ critical ability to evaluate processes and products, reflect on different schools of thought, as well as to understand the implications of digital tools to both practitioners and the discipline.
Lectures and supervised practical exercises are the main teaching methods of this module. Classes will also encourage active learning through discussion, group activities and critical thinking exercises. Students will be required to reflect on the key concepts discussed in the class, while presenting, discussing and analysing works and text extracts of theoreticians and practitioners in the field. In addition, small projects inside and outside the class (e.g. scenarios and museum visits) that require research, collaboration and synthesis will help students to develop their own research capabilities and become creative and critical thinkers. Teaching methods also include unsupervised practical exercises, use of electronic tutorials, online learning resources, library resources, as well as preparation of and participation in short presentations and discussions of particular topics related to the module.
Each week, students will be given handouts that will include essential and recommended readings on both the theory and methods that will be taught/ discussed in the next class. Practical preparation for the following classes (e.g. downloading software, subscribing to online resources) as well as practical homework on the technical and methodological elements of each class (e.g. small 3D recording tasks to be completed either at home or in the Digital Imaging Lab) will be included. Various media (podcasts, webinars, YouTube videos, etc.) related to the topics will also accompany readings and practical work.
For more details check out our blog on the module.
AFF626
Introduction to Text Analytics
10 ECTS
Semester 1
Overview
How can digital humanists examine the increasingly large quantity of digital texts which are now available? Big data techniques and textual analysis are hugely popular and influential in business and the Media, but what lies beneath the colourful visualizations?
This module will explore the theory and practice of corpus creation and preparation, tool selection, analysis, and visualization. By the end of the module students will be able to create their own corpus and analyse it using a broad range of tools and techniques. Students will learn how to construct effective research questions, consider which tools are most appropriate, and present their findings.
The first part of the module will introduce students to a suite of ‘out-of-the-box’ digital tools which can be used to analyse the data in digitally encoded text files. Students will familiarise themselves with common techniques used to extract and visualise information from large volumes of unstructured text (eg. Topic Modelling).
The second part of the module will provide an introduction to textual analysis and word vector analysis in R (a free and open source piece of software). Students will be introduced to a range of techniques using R, learn how to customize their analysis, and how to create visualizations.
Teaching and Learning Methods
This module will consist of 14 hours of lectures; one 2 hour introductory lecture followed by 1 hour lecture per week during the first semester. Additionally, there will be a 1-hour lab each week to build on the topics and skills discussed in the lectures of that week.
For more details check out our blog on the module.
AFF624
Mapping and Modelling Space and Time
10 ECTS
Semester 1
Overview
This module provides an introduction to the basics of data analysis, exploration and visualisation, with particular focus on spatial and temporal data. The module consists of a series of lectures including an introduction and start-up session to a take away practical exercise using the statistical programming language R, as well as an introduction to the concept of three-dimensionality and a series of simple 3D modelling tools that will provide the basis for delving into more advanced 3D modelling methodologies during the course. The module begins with basic methods to explore, describe and graphically represent one-, two-, and three-dimensional data, before moving on to consider more advanced methods to manipulate and visualise geospatial information, and explore and identify trends and seasonal patterns in time series data. In addition, some methodological aspects of data analysis are introduced, in particular the use of open data and ‘citizen science’ data and the idea of reproducibility in data analysis. Theoretical debates and challenges in the field will also be discussed through the relevant bibliography and characteristic case studies.
For more details check out our blog on the module.
MD626
Media Archives
10 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
This module examines the archival turn in the humanities by focusing on theories and practices of archival work in Media Studies. We will examine the unique characteristics of media archives by partnering with established institutions such as the Irish Film Institute and the Digital Repository of Ireland to engage with the practical processes of establishing, maintaining, and using media archives. The focus of assessment will be a research presentation and an essay based upon archival research.
NCG608
Introduction to Geographical Information Science
10 ECTS
Semester 1
Overview
The module will introduce the main complementary methodologies with geocomputation: geographical information systems; spatial statistics; exploratory spatial data analysis; and the science of spatial data handling. It covers fundamental concepts, techniques and ideas that shape Geographical Information Science and associated GIS Software. The module will be taught as a mix of lectures and intensive practicals. The lecture series will introduce key concepts and analytical approaches used within GI Science including; the foundations of GIS, spatial data models, data input and output, core spatial modelling and specialist analytical approaches and techniques. The practicals will be based around the following software applications programs: ArcGIS and MapInfo, with a particular emphasis on the former. The module will familiarise students with the software using a series of cumulative practical exercises based on a series of GIS applications from a range of subjects including geography, environmental modelling and planning. Students will also gain experience of manipulating and understanding a range of digital spatial data in the course of this module.
AFF604A
Modelling Humanities Data
10 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
This module will introduce students to theories of data modelling and how modelling is used within digital humanities projects. The theories surrounding data oriented and document oriented modelling approaches will be discussed and explored. Students will become familiar with different types of models used in digital humanities projects, such as, hierarchical tree models and relational modelling structures. Students will gain an understanding of how to implement a hierarchical tree model by creating custom XML, the Extensible Mark-up Language, to represent humanities documents and data. Students will become familiar with using relational models, such as, Entity-Relationship models, to also represent humanities data. The strengths and weaknesses of each modelling approach will be examined and will aid students in adopting the correct model to use in a digital humanities project of their choosing with appropriate technologies. You can view the blog for this module here: Modelling Humanities Data.
MD630
Creative Interactive Computing
10 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
This advanced practice module enables students with existing digital practice skills to critically engage with the theme of creative interactive computing, developing interactive digital applications, installations or performances that are multidisciplinary in nature and underpinned by the principles of human-computer interaction (HCI). Students will experiment with cutting edge digital technologies and techniques within a sophisticated theoretical methodological context. They will be introduced to established software and hardware, digital interactive resources, and platforms but will also be encouraged to experiment with emerging technologies that extend or build upon their existing digital skills. Lectures will explore best practice of interactive, performative, and networked media along with theoretical frameworks of digital performance, mixed reality, locative media, and the mediated city. Case studies of interactive applications, installations, and performances as well as ethnographic studies conducted on them will be presented and discussed during lectures.
AFF611A
Digital Humanities Practicum
10 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
The Digital Humanities Practicum provides a unique opportunity to get real-life project-based experience by working in a cultural heritage institution, a private sector organisation or an existing Digital Humanities project. Each project will be assigned an MU mentor and will be supervised by a local expert from the project or institution to which the student is attached.
Practicums consist of six hours of seminars on project management throughout the semester as well as ten hours of contact time between the student, MU Mentor and supervisor from the Institution/project in which the student carries out the practicum. In addition, students are expected to conduct at least fifteen hours of independent research per week throughout the semester in order to accomplish the aims of their projects.
These projects may range, for example, from writing a scoping document for a specific digital humanities project, to creating a digital exhibition or another online resource on a specific theme or topic, to writing a best practice white paper on a particular technology, digital preservation method, or new digital project idea.
Find out more about our practicums here.
AFF613A
Special Topics in Digital Humanities
10 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
This is an independent study module which provides an opportunity for students to work intensively on a particular topic under the direct supervision of a member of staff.
AFF625 3D Modelling, Analysis and Interpretation of Three-dimensional Spaces
10 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
This module will provide students with solid technical skills on different methods and technologies for the production of three-dimensional computer-generated visualisations for the presentation, interpretation, and dissemination of historical and archaeological datasets. Students will learn how do research for the digital reconstruction of past places and structures, how to use a diverse range of tools to model and analyse such environments, how to record the decision-making process and appropriate metadata, how to use processes and products to interpret complex data, and finally, how to digitally publish 3D models.
The module will familiarise students with the concept of three-dimensionality, while it will present different mechanisms to convert two-dimensional data into meaningful three-dimensional representations. It will also introduce them to the main theoretical debates in the fields, especially regarding photorealism and the notion of reconstruction. During the module, students will develop an expertise in industry standard software, such 3dsMax Design, SketchUp, Unity, and AutoCAD.
For more details check out our blog on the module.
AFF614
Project and Dissertation
30 ECTS
Semester 2
Overview
The final project and dissertation represents a key work of independent research by the student prepared towards the end of their studies. Research topic will be relevant to areas identified in taught components of the MSc programme. The dissertation may be wholly theoretically-based or it may be a mixture of theory and practice-based research. Students will begin discussing topics for their dissertations early in the spring. Students are expected to complete preliminary bibliographies and dissertation outlines before the end of spring term and will be assigned a supervisor. Dissertations of between 15,000 and 20,000 words in length are due for submission on or before 1st August in a given year.
