Dennis G. Jerz | Associate Professor of English -- New Media Journalism, Seton Hill University | jerz.setonhill.edu Logo

Digital Humanities: A Definition

Does the world need another working definition of digital humanities? Do you have one? Here’s mine. Digital Humanities is the deliberate, critical application of emerging technology to the study of traditional subjects such as literature, art, philosophy, and language, often (but not always) with a focus on how those traditional fields are now using emerging…

Adding a little Middle-Earth drama to a photo shoot.

The girl was concerned she wasn’t nerdy enough, so she’s taken to wearing a prop ring on a chain around her neck and calling it “My Precious.” (Photo credit: Kelly Tunney.) Similar:Now Is the Perfect Time to Memorize a PoemPowerful writing, by Matthew Schneier. …AestheticsBlender Griffin, Part 3Okay, that’s enough work for one evening…AestheticsOminous Darkness…

Washington Post, Breaking News, Is Also Breaking New Ground

The Washington Post, famous for breaking the Watergate scandal that brought down Nixon’s presidency, is churning out top-quality journalism in the age of Trump. As an organization the Post is gaining readers, hiring journalists and scooping its competition. As a private company since 2013, when the deep-pocketed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos bought it for $250…

Same photo, two different interpretations.

This is why I spend time teaching my journalism students about how to write photo captions. Which description is more trustworthy? Which description will likely get more shares on social media? Similar:My 13yo and 18yo enthralled by WarGames.Wife likes movies. Son likes military th…CultureThe choreographer daughter is doing a thing.The choreographer daughter is doing a…

The girl enjoyed seeing Alex Noble and the rest of the cast of Sive. (Last shows, 2 & 8 today.)

Similar:In a literature class, the author's words matter more than the author's life and times, or… Updating the graphic for a resource …AcademiaBlender 3D Flyover of Fantasy Steampunk Spacecraft When my kids were small, at bedtime …AestheticsIn October 2001, I was blogging about nothing, apostrophes, the anthrax scare, and Boilerp…In October 2001, I was blogging…

Salesman at Pittsburgh Public Theatre.

  Similar:Elmo? Yes, I do mind. I learned far more from Bert.Like plenty of people my age, I grew up …AestheticsMy 10yo Launches a Soda Bottle Rocket http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbNu8…AestheticsMy wife reports: “There was one smart aleck walking along the street who exclaimed: “Look,…PersonalSnow White: The Musical Opens Fridayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiIRCoHoN…AestheticsBrother Stuck in the BathroomThe girl posted this story…

Old English Has a Serious Image Problem

This fall I will be teaching Shakespeare again; but thereafter, as part of a curriculum redesign, Shakespeare will be rolled into a “Shakespeare in Context” course that will also need to address Beowulf, medieval drama, Arthurian legend, Chaucer, Marlowe, etc. I intend to do this by teaching five different Shakespeare plays, focusing on one play…

In Defense of Liking Things

It used to bother me that people got all excited about the color shirt that was being worn by a particular person holding (or throwing, or tossing, or avoiding) a small round object. Then I read the Onion article “Walking Sports Database Scorns Walking Sci-Fi Database:” A self-described “sports fanatic” who experiences vicarious thrills through…

Procession #classof2017

Similar:Lecturing is So Much Easier than Leading a DiscussionLecturing is So Much Easier than Leading…AcademiaA quick Sunday visit to #fortligonier with my history-loving son.A quick Sunday visit to #fortligonier wi…CulturePippin! Last show today at 2pm.CultureI'm not tired of @shu.pippin yet! Final performance is sold out.PersonalEnjoying a visit to the Carnegie Science Center with my son.…

You may move your tassels from right to left. #classof2017

  Similar:Completed uniforms for the officers and crew from the #neovictorian #steampunk bedtime sto… Right now I can move the player aroun…AestheticsThat one ungraded assignment is an early submission due Jan 2. I’m all set for a relaxing …AcademiaGrandpa Joe's Candy Store.Sugar rush at Grandpa Joe’s Candy Store….AestheticsChristmas 1970. I was feverish and it was…

Graduation procession #classof2017

Similar:It's a lie that having zero assignments to mark means I have nothing "to do," but this par… A relief.AcademiaA selfie with a Chekov action figure after learning of Anton Yelchin's deathCurrent_EventsThis the last hour I will have a teenager in my house. (Tomorrow my youngest turns 20.) I blogged in 2004: “The ti…AwesomeTrying something…

About to launch.

  Similar:Six rainbow-colored objects, arranged like THIS?These are shoe-holding racks at a local …AestheticsI'm marking them faster than they come in, which is a good thing. I won't be doi…PersonalGetting in the Christmas spirit.PersonalThoreau's Cellphone ExperimentWhen I teach “Intro to Literary Study,” …AcademiaIn February 2000, I was blogging about "The Heist" (Sorrels); the "Instant Muse…