Short description:

This book provides an introduction to mathematics and programming that is specifically designed for use by those engaged in the humanities. Linking mathematical concepts and computational skills, the chapters in this book explore humanistic questions from diverse fields, such as art, history and literature.

Long description:

Computational Literacy for the Humanities provides an introduction to mathematics and programming that is specifically designed for use by those engaged in the humanities. Linking mathematical concepts and computational skills, the chapters in this book explore humanistic questions from diverse fields, such as art, history and literature.

The book helps to advance computational and digital literacy by showing that each mathematical concept has a history, and each technique has a meaning. Rather than viewing mathematics and computer programming as purely instrumental, they are integrated into the process of achieving greater understanding of humanistic phenomena. Algorithms, data, statistics and networks are taught critically within the book, whilst the authors also make a concerted effort to expose the internal biases of these tools. They also demonstrate the applicability of quantification and computation for the promotion of diversification and inclusivity within the humanities. All exercises are designed as an opportunity to gain hands-on mathematical and computational experience, whilst critically exploring and interpreting humanistic phenomena.

Computational Literacy for the Humanities shows readers how to engage with data in a way that is challenging, yet meaningful and empowering. It will be of interest to scholars and students working across the humanities and should be of particular interest to those working in digital humanities.

?Through its stunning clarity and intellectual richness, this book makes a major contribution to digital humanities. The author combines historical and practical material to introduce the principles of computational thinking. Vivid examples and step-by-step instruction provide excellent demonstrations of these principles. The discussion of mathematics, logic, and statistics is succinct and informative and the demonstration of applications is easy to follow. The organization and language of the book support independent learning for those interested in acquiring the fundamentals of computational literacy for humanities research. But even for those who may not pursue future applications of its principles, this book should be read for the insights it provides into the computational functions that underpin many aspects of contemporary life. I wish I had had this book while I was still teaching, but I would recommend it without reservation to anyone interested in or involved with computation in the humanities.?

Johanna Drucker, Distinguished Professor and Breslauer Professor Emerita, Department of Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, USA

Table of Contents:

List of figures; Preface; Introduction; 1 Sets, numbers and functions; 2 Algorithmics; 3 Introduction to the Python Programming Language; 4 Reading charts; 5 Creating Charts; 6 Introduction to Descriptive Statistics; 7 Exploring Relationships Between Variables; 8 Network Theory and Applications in Humanities; 9 Center and Periphery in Network Theory; Index.