In order for students to learn a more quantitative approach to analysis of literary texts students were introduced to text analysis with Python. Through 13 teaching sessions, the students first had to present on exemplerary case-studies, and later had to do simple coding tasks in Jupyter Notebooks. In this way, the students acquired coding skills and strengthened their analytical thinking skills, and finally presented their own hypotheses and data analyses to their peers.
Digital methods have a great potential in the Nordic studies research field, where all parts of the subject (language, literature and media) have texts that are central to this type of analysis.
By implementing these as an elective, it makes it possible for the teachers to try out different ideas in terms of the content and didactics that relates to the integration of digital methods.
The students were asked to download the Python “Anaconda” suit. This package gives them access to all the necessary tools (Python, Jupyter, Spyder & Terminal). They then used Github to easily distribute Notebooks and text-data.
Please see the attached Links and materials for an example of Jupytor Notebooks in use, as well as teaching materials.
Most students were optimistic about the elective, and some students made it further than initially anticipated.
In the evaluation of the course most students expressed that they felt equipped to work with this subject on their own, and in general, the students were engaged in the course and in concrete text analysis. Therefore, the elective exceeded all expectations.
The course was split in two parts based on what the students had to do as preparation and during class.
Preparation:
During class
Every teaching session had some version of the following flow:
The teacher was available and walked around between the groups and participated in relevant discussions on codes, subjects, etc.
Resources
Support
If students are interested in media texts and social media, it is important to be aware of legal issues and the GDPR legislation.
It is essential to find ways to promote the good aspects of using digital methods when you also have to say no to great ideas that may come from the students.
The development of an entire course like this can be very time consuming. Developing new teaching plans demands time, even if it is "only" a pilot project. As a teacher, you need to be aware of this and stay patient, as well as allocating more time than usual for preparing and implementing this type of course.
Teacher: Ulf Dalvad Berthelsen
Faculty: Arts, Aarhus University
Discipline: Nordic studies
Course: Elective: Intoduction to digital textanalysis
Level of study: MA
Teaching method: Small class teaching, group work, supervision
Number of students: 15
Duration: Whole course
The course Count your text is meant to introduce the students to research on digital humanities with a focus on the use of digital methods in text analysis. Furthermore, the students are introduced to theoretical approaches and the methodological and scientific questions that are connected to this field of research. This course works with both literary and non-literary texts and is done mainly through case analysis.