Program Overview

Program Overview

The Press and Digital History I course is a mandatory program offered by the Humanities and Social Sciences department at EPFL. It is a 3-credit course taught in French, with a focus on the intersection of digital technology and historical research.

Course Description

The course provides an in-depth analysis of the history of media, with a particular emphasis on the digitization of press archives and the application of digital humanities methodologies to historical data analysis. Students will learn to critically evaluate the role of media in shaping collective representations and will develop skills in text mining, data visualization, and critical thinking.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the course are to:

• Understand the dynamics at play in media ecosystems and their impact on information dissemination
• Provide a broad overview of the history of media and journalism
• Develop critical thinking skills in relation to media and information
• Accompany students in the realization of a historical research project based on the exploitation of digitized and online sources
• Equip students with the skills to utilize online documents and archives, develop critical thinking regarding online resources, and use advanced numerical tools for data analysis

Method of Instruction

The course will be taught over two semesters, with a combination of lectures, workshops, and project work. Students will be expected to participate actively in class discussions and group work, and to submit a written report and presentation.

Evaluation Method

The evaluation will be based on:

• A written report (first part) and oral presentation (first semester)
• A written report (second part) and final project presentation (second semester)

Resources

A list of recommended readings and resources will be provided at the beginning of the course, including books, articles, and online resources.

Program Details

• Semester: Fall
• Number of places: 40
• Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
• Subject examined: Press and digital history I
• Courses: 2 hours per week x 14 weeks
• Project: 1 hour per week x 14 weeks
• Type: Mandatory

Related Courses

Results from graphsearch.epfl.ch will provide additional information on related courses.

Legend

• Lecture
• Exercise, TP
• Project, Lab, other

Schedule

The course will take place on Wednesdays, 16h-18h (Lecture INM11) and 18h-19h (Project, labs, other INM11).

Accessibility

The course is designed to be accessible to all students, with accommodations made for students with disabilities.

Copyright

2025 EPFL, all rights reserved. ```python