Digital Humanities Major
The B.A. in Digital Humanities fuses the traditional strengths of the humanities—the search for knowledge about human culture, and the cultivation of intellectual curiosity and empathy—with a greater understanding of digital-age skills. Students learn collaboratively how to use digital technologies to ask and answer meaningful questions in the study of English, history, literature, philosophy, theology, and other subjects, and to communicate persuasively and winsomely with their audiences. This small major is purposefully designed to pair with a second major.
Why should I study digital humanities?
Humanities graduates can greatly increase their job prospects and earnings by adding additional skillsets in IT networking and support, data analysis, social media, programming, marketing, and graphics. Digital humanities majors graduate with the ability to tell powerful stories in digital spaces, with a track record of top-level research using sophisticated tools, and with the confidence to translate these skills to a competitive job market.
What can I do with this degree?
The digital humanities help prepare students for careers in industry (e.g., marketing, design, technology, media) and the nonprofit sector that require digital skills along with the critical thinking that has long been valued in the humanities. A digital humanities major is also particularly useful for jobs in education, library and information science, and museum studies. There are also a growing number of digital humanities positions in higher education that specifically require digital humanities credentials.
Alumni can go on to graduate programs in computer science, digital humanities, English, history, journalism, library science, museum studies, philosophy, and theology.
What skills will I develop?
Digital humanities students learn a range of skills, from technical abilities like coding, graphic design, and the ability to analyze “big data,” to traditional humanities skills like close reading, critical thinking, and persuasive communicating. Most importantly, digital humanities students acquire a skillset tailored to their own projects—each student’s pathway is unique.What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?
This is an interdisciplinary major that concludes with an internship in industry, with the goal of opening pathways for future employment. Students will also have the opportunity throughout the major to collaborate with peers and professors across the university in other disciplines.
60%
recent alumni continuing their studies in graduate school
65%
of students add a second major
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The faculty’s ability to disciple me in how to think analytically, empathetically, and creatively has proven to be immensely helpful since my graduation. I am so grateful for the personal attention and challenges I received from my professors as I wrestled with hard questions and reshaped how I applied my faith to the world.
Cody Bishop ’15The professors supported my personal development, academic interests, and writing skills. Also, their class content was extremely relevant to the formation of my identity, values, and thinking.
Jordan Nelson ’13By studying Western ideas and the role Christianity has played in society, I believe I had a greater depth of understanding than students who studied American politics in a more narrow sense. In the process, I also improved my reasoning and critical thinking skills: the number one thing employers are looking for in an ever-changing labor market.
Ben Olson ’07The professors are fantastic. They do a great job delivering interesting and relevant material, providing feedback that fosters growth in academic skill, and building relationships with students. I felt cared about and challenged as I developed as a student, and I felt prepared to go out into the real world.
Kyle Kilgore ’20I can honestly say that, as a student, I didn't know my professors' political preferences. Getting such a balanced education from a variety of resources has made me a better consumer of information. From the news I read, the podcasts I listen to, and the conversations I have with others—I am constantly consuming from different/varied credible sources in order to get a well-rounded perspective. This information helps me process and create my own, well-informed opinion.
Dawna Diamon ’09I think the most distinctive strength of this department was its commitment to teaching all sides of the story. Learning about Political Science from different perspectives and about different perspectives was crucial to my growing worldview at the time.
Marisa Tillman ’16