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MA in Digital Humanities And Social Sciences at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad
Dhanbad, Jharkhand
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About the Specialization
What is Digital Humanities and Social Sciences at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad Dhanbad?
This Digital Humanities and Social Sciences program at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad focuses on integrating computational methods with traditional humanities and social science research. It addresses the growing need in India for professionals who can analyze, interpret, and manage vast digital data from a human-centric perspective. The program uniquely blends critical theory with practical digital skills, positioning it at the forefront of interdisciplinary studies.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates from any discipline, particularly those with a background in arts, social sciences, computer applications, or media studies, seeking entry into digital research, cultural heritage, or content industries. It also caters to working professionals in education, publishing, or archives looking to upskill with digital competencies, and career changers aiming to transition into the burgeoning Indian digital economy.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including Digital Archivist, Content Strategist, UX Researcher, Data Ethicist, or Public Humanities Specialist. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 4-7 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program provides a strong foundation for advanced research or roles in cultural institutions, tech companies, and NGOs, aligning with certifications in data science and digital project management.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Interdisciplinary Foundation- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with both the theoretical underpinnings of social sciences and the practical aspects of digital tools. Participate in departmental seminars and workshops on diverse topics to bridge the gap between humanities and technology, fostering a holistic understanding crucial for DHSS.
Tools & Resources
Academic journals (e.g., Digital Scholarship in the Humanities), MIT OpenCourseware for introductory programming, Departmental reading groups
Career Connection
A robust foundation ensures you can articulate complex ideas across disciplines, making you a versatile candidate for research, content creation, and data analysis roles.
Master Programming and Data Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond coursework, practice Python scripting daily on platforms like HackerRank or LeetCode with a focus on text manipulation and data processing. Understand database basics and simple web scraping to efficiently gather and clean data for humanities research.
Tools & Resources
Codecademy (Python track), GeeksforGeeks for data structures, Jupyter Notebook for practice
Career Connection
Proficiency in programming is non-negotiable for digital roles, enabling you to automate tasks, analyze large datasets, and contribute to technical projects effectively.
Engage in Early Digital Project Exposure- (Semester 1-2)
Join faculty-led digital humanities projects or initiate small personal projects focused on digital archiving, text analysis, or interactive storytelling. Document your contributions and learnings in a portfolio.
Tools & Resources
Omeka S for digital collections, Github for version control, Voyant Tools for text analysis
Career Connection
Hands-on project experience differentiates you, demonstrating practical application of skills and readiness for professional project environments in India''''s digital sector.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize in a Niche and Build a Portfolio- (Semester 3)
Choose electives strategically to specialize in areas like digital history, cultural analytics, or AI ethics. Develop a public-facing digital portfolio showcasing projects, visualizations, and research outputs specific to your chosen niche.
Tools & Resources
Tableau Public for visualizations, WordPress/GitHub Pages for portfolio hosting, Relevant open-source DH tools
Career Connection
A focused specialization and a strong portfolio attract recruiters seeking experts in specific DHSS subfields, enhancing opportunities in Indian tech and cultural industries.
Seek Internships and Industry Collaborations- (Semester 3)
Actively apply for internships at digital media companies, cultural institutions, archives, or research wings of Indian tech firms. Engage with industry professionals through workshops, seminars, and networking events to understand real-world applications of DHSS.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn for networking, IIT (ISM) career services portal, Industry conferences (e.g., IndiaHCI)
Career Connection
Internships provide invaluable practical experience, industry contacts, and often lead to pre-placement offers, significantly boosting your employability in the competitive Indian market.
Develop Advanced Research and Communication Skills- (Semester 3-4)
Focus on developing your research project/dissertation. Practice academic writing, data interpretation, and effective presentation. Participate in departmental colloquia or student conferences to hone your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Tools & Resources
Zotero/Mendeley for citation management, LaTeX for academic writing, Presentation software and public speaking practice groups
Career Connection
Strong research and communication skills are essential for both academic and industry roles, preparing you for leadership positions and impactful contributions.
Advanced Stage
Targeted Placement Preparation and Networking- (Semester 4)
Tailor your resume and cover letters for specific roles (e.g., UX researcher, data curator). Prepare for technical and HR interviews, focusing on case studies relevant to DHSS. Leverage alumni networks and career services for referrals and mock interviews.
Tools & Resources
IIT (ISM) alumni network platform, Online interview preparation resources, Personalized career counseling
Career Connection
Strategic preparation ensures you are well-equipped to navigate the Indian job market, securing desirable roles in companies valuing digital humanities expertise.
Contribute to Open-Source DH Projects- (Semester 4)
Engage with global and Indian open-source digital humanities projects. Contributing code, documentation, or research to such projects demonstrates initiative, collaboration skills, and a commitment to the field.
Tools & Resources
GitHub for open-source contributions, Online communities for DH projects, Stack Overflow
Career Connection
Open-source contributions enhance your technical profile and demonstrate practical coding and collaboration skills, highly valued by tech companies and research institutions.
Explore Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation- (Semester 4)
Consider developing a capstone project or dissertation that addresses a real-world problem in the Indian context using DHSS methodologies, potentially leading to a startup idea or an innovative solution for cultural heritage management or digital education.
Tools & Resources
Incubation centers at IIT (ISM), Startup India resources, Mentorship from faculty and industry experts
Career Connection
This path fosters innovation and leadership, offering an alternative to traditional employment and preparing you for roles in product development, project management, or launching your own venture in India''''s vibrant startup ecosystem.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3 or 10+2+4 pattern) in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized University/Institute.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 75 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH101 | Introduction to Digital Humanities | Core | 3 | Fundamentals of Digital Humanities, History and Evolution of DH, DH Tools and Methods, Data in Humanities Research, Ethical Considerations in DH |
| DH102 | Research Methods in Digital Humanities and Social Sciences | Core | 3 | Research Design and Ethics, Qualitative and Quantitative Methods, Digital Data Collection, Textual Analysis Techniques, Survey and Interview Methods |
| DH103 | Foundations of Social Sciences | Core | 3 | Core Social Science Theories, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, Society, Culture, and Politics, Economic and Global Dynamics, Conceptual Frameworks in Social Research |
| DH104 | Introduction to Programming for Humanities | Core | 3 | Programming Fundamentals (Python), Data Types and Structures, Control Flow and Functions, File Handling and Text Processing, Basic Scripting for Data Analysis |
| DH105 | Digital Content Creation and Management | Core | 3 | Digital Storytelling Techniques, Multimedia Production, Content Curation and Platforms, Information Architecture, Digital Rights and Licensing |
| DH106 | Digital Humanities Lab I | Lab | 2 | Introduction to DH Software, Text Annotation Tools, Basic Web Scraping, Data Management Practices, Digital Project Development Basics |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH201 | Digital Preservation and Archiving | Core | 3 | Principles of Digital Preservation, Archival Standards and Best Practices, Metadata Management, Digital Repositories and Infrastructures, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Archiving |
| DH202 | Data Visualization for Humanities and Social Sciences | Core | 3 | Principles of Data Visualization, Visualization Tools (e.g., Tableau, Gephi), Storytelling with Data, Information Graphics Design, Geospatial Data Visualization |
| DH203 | Theories of Digital Culture | Core | 3 | Cyberculture Theories, Network Society and Digital Identities, Posthumanism and Technoculture, Media and Communication Theories, Critiques of Digitality |
| DH204 | Digital Pedagogy and Learning | Core | 3 | E-Learning Platforms and Tools, Blended Learning Approaches, Open Educational Resources (OER), Gamification in Education, Digital Literacy and Citizenship |
| DH205 | Elective I (e.g., Digital History) | Elective | 3 | Computational History Methods, Digital Archives in History, GIS in Historical Research, Oral History in Digital Contexts, Historical Data Analysis |
| DH206 | Digital Humanities Lab II | Lab | 2 | Advanced Text Analysis Software, Network Analysis Tools, Geospatial Mapping Projects, Interactive Digital Exhibit Creation, Collaborative DH Project Work |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH301 | Text Mining and Analysis | Core | 3 | Natural Language Processing Fundamentals, Topic Modeling and Clustering, Sentiment Analysis Techniques, Corpus Linguistics, Stylometry and Authorship Attribution |
| DH302 | Digital Storytelling and Narrative | Core | 3 | Transmedia Storytelling, Interactive Narratives, Virtual and Augmented Reality in DH, Digital Publishing Strategies, Ethics in Digital Narratives |
| DH303 | Elective II (e.g., AI in Humanities and Social Sciences) | Elective | 3 | AI Ethics and Societal Impact, Machine Learning Basics, AI Tools for Research, Bias in AI Algorithms, Human-AI Interaction |
| DH304 | Elective III (e.g., Digital Art and Aesthetics) | Elective | 3 | Forms of Digital Art, Media Aesthetics and Theory, Generative Art and AI, Curatorial Practices in Digital Spaces, Digital Performance and Installation |
| DH305 | Research Project/Dissertation Part I | Project | 4 | Project Proposal Development, Literature Review and Theoretical Framework, Methodology Design, Data Collection Planning, Pilot Study and Ethical Approval |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH401 | Digital Public Humanities | Core | 3 | Community Engagement Strategies, Open Access and Citizen Science, Digital Advocacy and Activism, Public Scholarship and Outreach, Crowdsourcing in Cultural Heritage |
| DH402 | Ethics, Law, and Society in the Digital Age | Core | 3 | Data Privacy and Protection Laws, Cybersecurity and Digital Rights, Intellectual Property in Digital Contexts, Algorithmic Bias and Fairness, Digital Governance and Policy |
| DH403 | Elective IV (e.g., Critical Digital Theory) | Elective | 3 | Post-structuralist Critiques of Technology, Feminist and Queer Digital Theories, Critical Race Theory in Digital Spaces, Surveillance and Power Structures, Decolonial Digital Approaches |
| DH404 | Research Project/Dissertation Part II | Project | 8 | Data Analysis and Interpretation, Thesis Writing and Argumentation, Presentation and Communication Skills, Dissertation Defense Preparation, Strategies for Publication |
