Building a Relational Database: Introduction to Historical Research Data
COL 375Z
Winter 2026
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
HIST 275Z, QAC 205Z |
This course empowers students to become not only readers of history but creators of historical data, new scholars actively seizing the current digital history moment as an occasion to break down history's myths through the activities of research, datafication, and analysis. The digital age -- even the advent of GenAI -- has changed nothing fundamental about the practice of historical research. But it could: the digital age is an opportunity for scholars to act as agents of change. This winter course focuses on the role of data in existing historical practices. Our series of focused workshops and targeted research investigations will enact and enable new methods and practices of history. Targeted readings address current theories and methods for working with the range of historical source materials: moth-eaten archives, curated library collections, digitizations, and digital-born objects. We will then get right to work on practices and your own research projects. Students will set up an archival relational database through the web-based tool Nodegoat. They will finish the session by curating their own historical archive, which they will codify as a relational database, and then explore development through further research or publication. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA COL |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (College of Letters)(History Minor)(History)(Medieval Studies Minor)(Medieval Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
:
Jennifer Giuliano, A PRIMER FOR TEACHING DIGITAL HISTORY
History and Theory, DIGITAL HISTORY AND THEORY: CHANGING NARRATIVES, CHANGING METHODS, CHANGING NARRATORS
Ia Paperson, A THIRD UNIVERSITY IS POSSIBLE
Moya Bailey, MISOGYNOIR TRANSFORMED: BLACK WOMEN'S DIGITAL RESISTANCE
The Friends of Attention, ATTENSITY! A MANIFESTO OF THE ATTENTION LIBERATION MOVEMENT
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Examinations and Assignments:
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Reading Reflections, Independent Research Projects |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
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No prior coding experience, or historical research skills needed. |
| Instructor(s): Torgerson,Jesse Wayne Times: .MTWRF. 10:00AM-12:00PM; .MTWRF. 02:00PM-04:00PM; Location: TBA |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 12 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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