ATS2672 Exploring texts with computers

In the past, our human limitations constrained the possibilities of working with large bodies of text. But today, technology makes it easy to analyse millions, even billions, of words of text quickly and reliably. This unit introduces students to the basic methods used in analysing large text collections and looks at their application in fields such as literary studies, linguistics, history and translation. Students will learn practical techniques for analysing text collections, will use that knowledge to explore texts relevant to their disciplines and will reflect on the types of knowledge which can be gained using these methods and their value within contemporary humanistic scholarship.