This program is designed for students interested in analyzing human cultural artifacts, based on language, visual, or material culture. This concentration offers interdisciplinary training at the intersection of data analytics and the Humanities: literatures, art, and culture. Students will learn to design, plan, and implement Digital Humanities research projects, monitor results, and critically reflect and interpret data, methods, and technology as part of society and culture.

This introduces students to the fundamentals of data science and provides practice in data analytics as a humanities activity. Students will gain familiarity with data concepts, practice in data analysis processes, data curation and digital archives, AI applications, and critical reflections of technology and AI, and consider the wider cultural effects of data studies in the humanities. Students will think creatively and critically about the intersection of data analytics and the humanities and how to
work with a variety of data types, such as literary and historical texts, art images and photographs, music and podcasts, and film. Students are also trained in experimental design and ethics, enabling them to evaluate new research findings and communicate their findings.

What distinguishes this concentration is that it provides significant training in the analysis and understanding of human culture and cultural artifacts – at the level of the individual, social group and society. Students who successfully complete this program will develop a technical toolkit to tackle the most ambitious problems involving human culture and help create the next-generation data science workforce. Training will be offered in the curation, visualization, analysis, and ethical treatment of real-world data using programming languages including R and Python, and using technology architectures and stacks ranging from different types of databases to ML/AI based methods and embedded systems. The program is designed to prepare graduates primarily for entry-level data science careers in industry, cultural institutions, and the arts although positions in other settings, such as government, nonprofit agencies, universities, and other research settings, may also be appropriate. 

Total Hours Required: 120

Plan of Study

The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.

Requirements

All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.

Degree-Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Social Data Science (BSBSDS)

Additional Requirements and Policy

At least:

• 39 upper-division hours are required.
• 36 lower- or upper-division hours must be completed in residence
• 24 upper-division hours must be completed in residence.

Students in this program may pursue any Bachelor of Arts honors program in the college except for Plan II Honors. 

Hours may be counted toward more than one requirement only in the following cases:

1. Hours that fulfill Core Curriculum may also be counted toward specific degree requirements unless otherwise stated. 
2. Up to 3 hours counted toward the degree or Core Curriculum may also be counted toward a minor or certificate. Completion of a transcript-recognized minor or certificate is not a requirement of the degree, but may be earned.