Although we typically think about data as integral to scientific inquiry, in recent years it has come to play a critical role in the study of art, literature, history and culture. The transformation of information about cultural and artistic objects into data has taken many forms: from the use of computational models to study large scale historical and cultural developments, to the new strategies of critiquing the role of data in society, to the use of data in the creation of art itself. In this course, students will learn what it means to think critically with data in the arts and humanities and how data itself can form the basis for new artistic endeavors. Through a series of lectures and hands-on workshops, participants in the course will apply data-driven methods to model collections of cultural objects, study how critical and philosophic thought can identify where data leads us astray, and learn how data can be integrated into the creative process. Some coding experience with Python or R is expected.
5 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
Although we typically think about data as integral to scientific inquiry, in recent years it has come to play a critical role in the study of art, literature, history and culture. The transformation of information about cultural and artistic objects into data has taken many forms: from the use of computational models to study large scale historical and cultural developments, to the new strategies of critiquing the role of data in society, to the use of data in the creation of art itself. In this course, students will learn what it means to think critically with data in the arts and humanities and how data itself can form the basis for new artistic endeavors. Through a series of lectures and hands-on workshops, participants in the course will apply data-driven methods to model collections of cultural objects, study how critical and philosophic thought can identify where data leads us astray, and learn how data can be integrated into the creative process. Some coding experience with Python or R is expected.
Offered in Spring 2027 at Stanford University.