HIST4702 (2023-24) Digital History Project: 火攻挈要
About Us
About the Course
HIST4702 is an undergraduate course in CUHK History department taught by Professor McManus. In recent years, the digital humanities have evolved rapidly and the use of digital tools to study historical issues has become a popular trend. This is an introductory course of Digital Humanities that introduces students to the exciting world of digital history and digital humanities, including text mining, digital mapping, visualization, digital curation, and 3-D modeling and video editing. These are skills that students will be able to apply to a range of historical problems and will also be useful in a variety of future careers. Click here to learn more!
Introduction to Digital History
Digital History is the developing field within the discipline of history that explores the intersection of history and digital technology. It encompasses the study and application of digital tools, methods, and resources for researching, analyzing, presenting, and interpreting historical knowledge. The mainstream digital methods are: data visualization, text mining, map creation, video production, and 3D modelling. The advent of digital technology and the growth of the internet have revolutionized the way historians access, analyze, and disseminate historical information.
Research Methodologies
Digital history has reshaped traditional research methodologies in history by making large-scale data analysis, cross-referencing, and collaboration more accessible. Historians are now able to harness computational techniques to explore vast collections of digitized primary sources, such as newspapers, letters, photographs, and government records. These sources can be processed using text mining algorithms to identify patterns, trends, and connections, which tended to be neglected through traditional manual methods.
Public Engagement
Digital history has also transformed the way historical knowledge is presented and shared with the public. Online platforms like websites, podcasts, and social media provide historians with an online public space to reach broader audiences and engage in public dialogue. These platforms facilitate the spread of historical research findings, the creation of immersive digital exhibitions, and the development of interactive educational resources.
Potential Challenges
Despite exciting opportunities, digital history also presents challenges that require critical consideration. Issues related to data privacy, digital preservation, and algorithmic bias still require careful attention of historians, to ensure that the use of digital tools and resources in historical research remains ethically sound and practically beneficial. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of technology necessitates ongoing adaptation, which demands skill development for historians.
To conclude, the future of digital history holds immense potential. Advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing are poised to revolutionize the field further. These developments will enable historians to discover new historical insights and create more interactive and immersive experiences for both researchers and the general public.
Our Instructors
Prof. Stuart M. McManus is the instructor of our project and the lecturer of HIST4702 Digital History during 2023-2024 Semester 1. He is a scholar of Renaissance law and letters in a global context. He also has interests in the history of classical scholarship, Chinese humanities, and the application of digital tools to historical research. At CUHK, he runs the Digital History Lab and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in digital humanities. Click here to learn more!
Miss Yang Zhishui
Miss Yang Zhishui is the teaching assistant at HIST4702. She comes from Liaoning, and is living in Hong Kong now; she is interested in thinking, learning, writing, and walking. She studies modern Asian history at CUHK, and her research topic is the urban history of Fengtian.
Our Groups
Website Group
Dong Rancheng, Charlie: Year 4 student majoring in History, interested in intellectual history and philosophy.
Li Ning Ning, Ivy: Year 3 student majoring in History, interested in Chinese intellectual history and the life of people.
Lee Lok Sze, Nina: Year 4 student majoring in History, interested in oral history and heritage conservation.
3D Modelling Group
Wong Sing Ming, Simon: Year 3 student majoring in History, interested in Chinese intellectual history.
Ma Yat Chun, Justin: Year 3 student majoring in History, interested in Qin-han unearthed documents, especially bamboo.
Text Mining Group
Matisse Dormoy: Year 3 Student majoring in History and international relations, exchange student from Université catholique de Lille. He is passionate about photography and music, and
hopes to work in documentary production.
Huang Xiadong: Year 1 PhD student majoring in history, interested in cultural diversity in the world.
Keven Kai Lin: Year 3 student majoring in ISAP, exchange student from University of Waterloo. His main responsibility is to compare the earlier and contemporary books with Huo gong qie yao.
Wang Yuhui: MA student majoring in Comparative and Public History. Her main responsibility is to compare and analyze the frequency of words about gunpowder ingredients in Huo gong qie yao.
Video Group
Lam Cheuk Yin, Chester: Year 3 student majoring in History, interested in watching Formula One races, hitting the gym, and savoring protein-rich meals like salmon.
Huang Wing Man, Hazel: Year 3 student majoring in History, interested in eating delicious food, catching up on Netflix shows, exploring new destinations, and getting some quality sleep.
Wu Yifan, Vivian: Year 1 student majoring in Comparative and Public history, interested in watching musicals and trying figure skating.
Mapping Group
Wong Ming Chung: Year 4 student majoring in History with graduation anxiety. Also a fan of Japanese music and movies.
Chan Ching Yat: Year 3 student majoring in History. He is responsible for making the map about battles in late Ming.
Data Visualization Group
Leung Siu Hin, Henry: Year 3 student majoring in History, not interested in digital history but is a music/guitar/movie/video game enthusiast.
Choy Man Hin, Thomas: Year 3 student majoring in History, loves to sleep and eat.
