Language Technologies and Digital Humanities

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

The course is divided into two modules, the first dealing with Italian literature and the Digital Humanities (Prof. R. Galbiati), the second with contemporary Italian literature and critical perspectives (Prof. R. Palumbo Mosca). It aims to give an overview of Italian literature with respect to the situation of the Digital Humanities. In this first module we do not so much want to study the production of digital texts and libraries, but the challenge that the 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.

This first module aims to produce students' critical attitudes toward databases and digital libraries. 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. The case studies for students to develop into projects will be Ferrara in the late 14th and 15th centuries; Turin in the early 20th century.

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. Students should submit projects related to the proposed case studies : the Ferrara of the Renaissance and the Turin of the early decades of the 20th century.

This module consists of 18 hours (3 CFU). It is expected that the module will be delivered in presence with simultaneous streaming on Webex. The lessons will not be recorded; supplementary materials will be eventually uploaded on the “Materiale didattico” folder or on the Moodle platform. The teaching method may undergo changes in relation to the university measures and current legislation.

An oral exam will test the student's acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills. The exam will ascertain the students' ability to discuss the organization and application of stylometric research in the literature. Projects developed by students on case studies will also- be discussed.

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.