A Case Study for the Digital Humanities: The Digital Yiddish Theatre Project

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

The Digital Humanities are transforming humanities scholarship. From digitization to data mining, mapping to visualization, DH not only opens up new research avenues; it is profoundly altering the nature and outcomes of such research. This proposed panel uses a recently established collaborative project as a case study for possibilities and challenges that DH poses to arts- and humanities-based collaboration.

The Digital Yiddish Theatre Project is a research consortium, currently consisting of 15 members, dedicated to the application of Digital Humanities tools and methodologies to foster the study and preservation of Yiddish theatre. It was formed in recognition of the linguistic, cultural, and geographic complexity of the Yiddish theatre, and of the ability of DH to address that complexity.

Our focus will be not on theatre scholarship; rather, the participants will discuss the DYTP’s work as a springboard to broader discussions of the opportunities and challenges DH offers. We hope to stimulate a discussion with colleagues from a various disciplines that will provide valuable perspectives not only for the DYTP, but for anyone grappling with similar questions.

These questions include the following:
• Assembling a research team. Selection criteria; group size.
• Online collaboration. Initiating and sustaining online discussions, and following up on practical matters.
• In-person collaboration. Key lessons learned from a recent 3-day workshop.
• Cybertakhlis: domains, hosting, and other infrastructure issues.
• Selecting, conceiving, and executing projects. How to choose among an infinite number of worthwhile activities?
• Balancing collaborative and individual work. How collaborative work fits in with other professional commitments; what amount of group input is necessary to move projects along.
• Professional development. Collaborative humanities efforts are often valued less than individual work. How does this affect the participation of individual members—particularly junior tenure-track faculty?
• Cooperation vs. competition. When does it make sense to pool efforts with others? How can one's group avoid conflict with others, or duplication of others' efforts?
• Grant-writing and fundraising.

Discussants: Zachary Baker, Joel Berkowitz, Debra Caplan, Barbara Henry, Faith Jones, Amanda Seigel, Francesco Spagnolo, Michael Steinlauf
Respondent: Todd Presner

Sub Unit

• Jews, Film, and the Arts

Moderator

• Debra Caplan, Baruch College, CUNY

Discussants

• Barbara Henry, University of Washington

• Amanda Seigel, Dorot Jewish Division, New York Public Library

• Zachary M. Baker, Stanford University

• Michael C. Steinlauf, Gratz College

• Faith Jones, University of British Columbia