205
Graduate Programs
205.33
Humanities Computing
205.33 Humanities Computing
Office of Interdisciplinary Studies
1-17 Humanities Centre
Faculty of Arts
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E5
E-mail: ois@ualberta.ca
205.33.1 General Information
The MA in Humanities Computing is an interdisciplinary program in the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies. The Program integrates computational methods and theories with research and teaching in the Liberal Arts. It addresses the demand for Arts graduates, proficient in computing skills, to work either in the realm of humanities, social sciences, and fine arts research and teaching, or in the emerging job markets of information management and content delivery over the Internet.
In a set of core courses, students survey humanities computing and its underlying technologies as they are employed in disciplines such as history, literature, languages, cultural studies, philosophy, music, and visual arts. The aim is to show how computing enables and transforms research and teaching, and to impart technical knowledge through hands-on experience with creation, delivery, and analysis of electronic text and non-textual data and images.
In the second year, the students extend their knowledge of humanities computing by taking elective courses, in Humanities Computing or other Arts disciplines, and by completing a thesis in which they address an interdisciplinary research or teaching issue.
The Master of Arts in Humanities Computing is offered by itself or in conjunction with existing graduate programs in the Faculty of Arts and the School of Library and Information Studies. Students applying to the MA in Humanities Computing can choose from the following participating departments as an area of specialization within the Humanities Computing Program: Anthropology; Art and Design; Comparative Literature Program, Office of Interdisciplinary Studies; Religious Studies Program, Office of Interdisciplinary Studies; Drama; East Asian Studies; English and Film Studies; History and Classics; Individualized Program, Office of Interdisciplinary Studies; Linguistics; Modern Languages and Cultural Studies; Music; Philosophy; Political Science; School of Library and Information Studies; Sociology. Alternatively applicants can choose the Individualized program without a specialization.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum entrance requirements for the Humanities Computing Program and the area of specialization of the participating department. Where applicable, a minimum TOEFL score, determined by the participating department, will be required. Deadline for applications for those applying to participating departments in an area of specialization is December 1; applicants to the Individualized Program must contact the Graduate Programs Assistant at ois@ualberta.ca for the application deadline dates, which vary by department. Applications must be sent to the Graduate Programs Assistant, Humanities Computing Program, c/o Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, Room 1-22 Humanities Centre, Faculty of Arts. Applications are first reviewed by the Graduate Committee in the Humanities Computing Program and, if successful at that stage, forwarded to the participating department for its review process if the applicant requests a specialization in a participating department.
The Humanities Computing program addresses several different computer-based technologies. It does not require previous experience in these, but offers seminars to aid students in gaining the desired range of technical skills.
Financial Assistance
Participating departments may consider applicants for graduate assistantships. Deadlines for consideration for financial assistance vary by participating departments. Humanities Computing annually provides a number of scholarships and graduate research assistantships. Scholarships and assistantships will not be offered to any student until the student has been formally admitted to the graduate program. Graduate students are also eligible for various University Fellowships and Bursaries depending on eligibility. For details see www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca
205.33.2 The Degree of MA
Program Requirements
The MA in Humanities Computing program consists of 
12 in required courses in Humanities Computing, 6 in options in Humanities Computing, and 9 in courses approved by the students' participating department in their area of specialization, in addition to a thesis. It is normally expected that students will take two Humanities Computing courses and one elective course (for example, one in their area of specialization) in each of the first three terms and complete their thesis in the fourth term. The required Humanities courses are HUCO 500 and 520, usually offered in the Fall term, and HUCO 510 and 530, usually offered in the Winter term. Note that successful progress through the program depends on satisfaction of both Humanities Computing and participating department requirements if combined with a specialization. If there is a specialization it is normally expected that a representative of both the Humanities Computing program and the participating department will sit on the thesis supervisory committee.
Length of the Program
The time required to complete the MA may vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of research undertaken; however, the program is designed to be completed within 24 months.
205.33.3 The Degrees of MA/MLIS
The Humanities Computing Program and the School of Library and Information Studies offer an inter-faculty combined MA in Humanities Computing/MLIS that students can complete within three years. Students pursuing the joint degrees must take 12 in required Humanities Computing courses (HUCO 500, 510, 520, and 530) and 6 in Humanities Computing options. They must also take 18 in required Library and Information Studies courses (LIS 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506) and 9 in LIS options. Students are strongly encouraged to take the required Humanities Computing courses during their first year. Students must also complete a thesis. The student's thesis committee shall normally include faculty members from both programs.
Students wishing to apply for the inter-faculty combined degrees need only to fill out one online application form by selecting “MA/MLIS” as the program. The application will be directed to the Humanities Computing portal and then forwarded to the School of Library and Information Studies if the applicant is accepted into the Humanities Computing program first. Students must satisfy the entrance requirements for both programs. Administrators of the two programs will consult regarding admission to the combined degrees.
205.33.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Humanities Computing (HUCO).
