Computer Science/Programming
Computer Science studies computation, information, and automation and can be range from theoretical disciplines to applied disciplines. Looking at Computer programming specifically, it is the composition of sequences of instructions in the form of programs. The computer then takes the program and uses it to perform a task step-by-step, which oftentimes involves the use of various different programming languages. For example, writing a program in Java, which asks for user imputed numbers and calculates their sum.
It is studied by learning to design, implement, and test software using high-level languages, algorithms, and tools such as Git. Computer science classes focus greatly on the use of computers and digital tools like programming software to bring their ideas to life.
A lot of aspects of the field are project based and very hands on because by coding it gives a greater understanding than just listening to a lecture. Besides being a quantitative field, Computer Programming also covers a lot of qualitative data from user experience to analyzing text or speech in order to cover more of the “why” and “how” things are done.
This leads into how Computer Programming is connected to culture because it covers people’s experiences with computational systems and how it make effect them. Additionally, many programs and programming languages take after the creator’s actions and values. This is shown in the various programming languages, they all have similar base components, but there is different syntax and functions based on what the language was created to do. Coding also is a way for one to express themselves like any form of art. But it can be used to create new experiences for others to enjoy with things such as video games, which are popular in our human culture currently.
Digital Humanities
Digital Humanities is an interdisciplinary field that involves the use of digital tools and methods to do work in the humanities. This includes the analysis, preservation, and sharing of human culture. DH explores a lot of areas that the humanities study such as history, art, and literature, but it does it using technology.
- For example, one can learn about a culture through a social media post far in the future and analyze how people lived in the past through that.
Many of the work done in Digital Humanities is project oriented and strives to be collaborative in order for people to build connections and see what it means to be human. Digital Humanities is also closely connected to cultures as it looks into human culture and how it responds to changes around us, while also remembering where we came from.
