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Overview and Learning Goals

Overview

The nature of Digital and Computational Studies (DCS) is bidirectional. The first direction relies on the traditional questions asked by the entirety of the Liberal Arts, including, and especially, questions that surround humanity. Inevitably when one is talking about, and studying, technology it is critical to return to the human dimension – how digital artifacts are changing us and changing the world. It is not in the nature of DCS to study any technology in a vacuum but to look at digital artifacts from as broad a perspective as possible. The second direction involves using computational techniques to help us ask and answer questions about digital artifacts that would not be possible without such techniques. These techniques include Artificial Intelligence (AI), text analysis, network analysis, spatial information systems and programming in general.

DCS Analysis includes:

• Artifacts: objects of study, which are shared with many fields in the liberal arts. The questions explored include asking how digital objects are interpreted in physical, social, historical, and cultural contexts.
• Architectures: the infrastructures that give rise to the objects, their use, or their study, which are also shared with other fields. The questions explored include consideration of the consequences of these associated infrastructures, data, technology, and labor for understanding the object.
• Abstractions: the models built and theories tested through those models. The questions explored include asking what different models reveal about objects and what common ground exists between different fields that use those models. 
• Agency: interpretation and decision-making. The questions explored include examination of how computation or the existence of a digital object shape who can make decisions, how results are interpreted, or how empowerment to act or express knowledge are influenced under the above conditions.
• Accountability: consequences and responsibility. An evaluative and critical exploration of ethical considerations of artifacts and the unintended outcomes of their deployment.

Objects are not merely analyzed—they are also created. A significant part of the student experience in DCS is collaborative and creative across fields of expertise. This creation can connect with virtually any discipline on campus.

Learning Goals

1. Critically evaluate existent and emergent digital technologies through the DCS analytical framework.
2. Design, create and deploy alternative digital technology emphasizing its positive impact on the common good.
3. Productively integrate DCS methods and tools into other epistemological fields and practices in the liberal arts and daily life.
4. Practice critical data assessment and agile project design.
5. Communicate effectively when sharing DCS research and topics.

Options for Majoring or Minoring in the Program

Students may elect to coordinate a major in digital and computational studies with any other department/program major. Students pursuing a coordinate major may not normally elect a second major. Non-majors may elect to minor in digital and computational studies.

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