ENGL 6932-01: Digital Humanities & Rhetoric

Professor Phil Sandick

Section Description: This course examines how digital technologies influence communication, persuasion, research, and cultural analysis in the humanities. It’s designed for students seeking to understand the impact of technology in their areas of research and practice. We will explore: 1) The intersection of digital humanities and rhetorical studies; 2) How digital tools are changing scholarly communication; 3) methods for sharing academic findings with wider audiences. The course also covers the theoretical foundations of digital humanities and rhetoric, the evolution of rhetorical concepts in digital environments, practical applications of digital tools in public humanities research, and strategies for making scholarship more accessible and impactful. Students will gain exposure to digital textual analysis, network visualization, data mining, and computational approaches to literary and cultural studies. We’ll examine how programming languages and automated systems influence discourse, decision-making, and power structures, with special attention to AI-generated content. The course also addresses representation and inclusivity in digital spaces, considering technology’s role in amplifying or silencing diverse voices. Throughout, participants will apply rhetorical and digital tools to deepen their engagement with various discourses, events, objects, and communities. Content will also be tailored to students’ interests and ongoing projects, ensuring relevance to individual research goals. By combining theory with practical skills, the course aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools to critically analyze and contribute to the evolving landscape of digital humanities.