Language Technologies and Digital Humanities

Students must have attended a course on literature during their bachelor’s degree course.

The course is divided into three modules, the first dealing with archeology of digital literature, the difference between digitalized and digital literature, and the so called “revolution” of digital criticism (Prof. R. Palumbo Mosca); the second module deals with Italian literature and Digital Humanities (Prof. R. Galbiati); the third module deals with some problems of transcription and encoding of texts, as well as the spatial representation of literary places (Prof. E. Mattioda).

The course aims to give an overview of Italian literature with respect to the situation of the Digital Humanities. We will study the challenge that Digital Humanities can bring to the history of literature by insisting on spatiality. Carlo Dionisotti insisted on the need to combine geography and history in the study of geopolitical situations in Italian literary history, but a real application of that principle has never been done. Now digital archives offer the possibility of doing previously impossible comparative research; linking archives and digital libraries to the geopolitical achievements of Italian history can lead to a breakthrough in studies. The course also aims to present some digital projects on Italian writers (such as Dante, Petrarca and Leopardi) that have been carried out in recent years.

The course aims to produce students' critical attitudes toward databases, digital libraries and digital criticism. Well-directed use of data can lead to innovations in the study of Italian literary history and help create portals where spatiality, history, art, and literary texts produce knowledge.

Lectures will address issues related to the use of digital libraries for stylometric research. Criticism of such methods will concern their application to the historical and geographical realities of ancient Italian states. Such a spatially based approach may change the concept of national literary history. We will deal with some historical-political achievements in the literary history of the ancient Italian states and in postunitary Italy.

The module consists of 36 hours (6 CFU). It is expected that the module will be delivered in presence. The lessons will not be recorded; supplementary materials will be eventually uploaded on the “Materiale didattico” folder or on the Moodle platform.

Students will be asked to present a project during the exam. A few questions on the material covered in class may also be asked.

For students with SLD or disabilities, please see
the support arrangements
(https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-con-disabilita [1]) and
of reception
(https://www.unito.it/accoglienza-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa [2]) of the
University, and in particular the procedures necessary for support in the
examination venue
(https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disabilita/supporto-studenti-e-studentesse-con
[3])."

A reference text for reflection on the need to combine geographical and historical study is the classic Carlo Dionisotti, Geografia e storia della letteratura italiana, Turin, Einaudi,

For discussion related to literary studies and the digital humanities, reference will be made to: Martin Paul EVE, The Digital Humanities and Literary Studies, Oxford, Oxford U.P., 2022.