Course content

This course provides an in-depth introduction to how artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into humanities research, with a focus on interpretation and analytical practice. Students are challenged to develop new research strategies where AI forms an integral part of the research process, emphasizing methodological innovation, critical reflection, and humanistic interpretive traditions.

This is a course in Scandinavian literature that combines digital humanities, text theory, and literature studies, that is relevant for students from across the humanities, e.g. comparative literature, history, intellectual history, language studies, and art history. The aim is to provide both practical and theoretical competence to work critically with AI-based analyses of individual texts and larger corpora in humanities research.

The course is organized as a laboratory and a reading circle. Students will work both experimentally and theoretically with:

• Developing research questions and methods integrating AI and humanistic perspectives
• AI-supported techniques for pattern recognition, semantic analysis, and visualization of text and research data
• Critical discussion of epistemological and ethical issues related to AI as a knowledge tool (e.g., bias, transparency, accountability)
• Assessment of how AI challenges and transforms the premises for interpretation, hermeneutics, and text theory

The course is research-oriented and requires active participation in laboratory work, reading circle discussions, and project development.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, students will have:

• Advanced understanding of the use of AI tools in humanities research
• Knowledge of key epistemological and ethical issues associated with AI
• Insight into how AI challenges traditional hermeneutic and text-theoretical perspectives

Skills

Students will be able to:

• Operate and optimize AI tools for analysis of individual texts and larger corpora
• Develop and conduct an AI-based research project with methodological precision
• Critically reflect on AI as a tool for interpretation and communication

General competence

Students will be able to:

• Communicate research findings effectively, both orally and in writing, to different audiences
• Collaborate in research-oriented projects
• Evaluate and discuss the role of AI technology in future humanities research

Learning methods and activities

Teaching consists of:

• Laboratory: Supervised experimentation with AI tools for developing research questions and methodology, including collection, organization, and analysis of data
• Reading circle: Student-led discussions of theoretical texts on AI, digital humanities, and humanistic research
• Group work: Project development with supervision

Obligatory assignments:

• Oral presentation in the reading circle
• Submission of lab report(s) documenting AI experiments
• Approved research project proposal
• Approved individual reading list

All mandatory requirements must be approved before submission of the final assessment.

Approved obligatory assignments are valid for 2 semesters (the semester in which the approval is given, plus the following semester).

Compulsory assignments

• Oral presentation
• Lab report(s)
• Approved research project proposal
• Approved individual reading list

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree with specialization in Scandinavian Studies, or equivalent.

Course materials

The reading list will be made available at the beginning of the semester.