The Digital Humanities is an emerging field that brings computational and humanities methods together, with a methodological commitment to thinking through making. In a classroom context, that means that students are not just consumers of digital scholarly resources, but producers too.

Computer technology and digital tools provide the ability to analyze, visualize, map and encode text. The result is rich and diverse content collections that can be both studied and mined by researchers. In addition to close reading a text, attending to the meaning of a specific passage, students can use distant reading or the visualization of patterns in a text or in a group of texts to develop or answer new research questions. “Digital tools and computer literacy open a whole new world for learning, disseminating and teaching,” says Crompton “adding code to text, to, for example, insert footnotes, not only requires research, design and technological skill, but also provides students with a way to contribute to the creation of knowledge.”

Constance Crompton with student at the launch

Explaining the Christmas Carol project, Crompton says, “the DIHU301 students collaborated on both the research and production of The Christmas Carol digital edition. The edition is intended for use by a first- or second-year undergraduate class that has been given specific essay topics. DIHU301 students had to design with the first- or second-year undergraduate students in mind, submitting a rationale for each design choice that explained just how the text and the code in the individual parts of the edition would be of use to students who had to answer the essay questions. By no means an easy task, the edition is a testament not only to the DIHU301 students critical, creative, and research skills, but also to their hard work and willingness to problem solve.” The Digital Edition of The Christmas Carol launch was kindly hosted by the library.

A Christmas Carol digital editions launch

In this case the cultural reception is what people thought of the book and its illustrations when it was published in 1843 as well as what they thought about it in first half of the 20thC, which we can work out from the way it was adapted in the film and audio files that are part of the edition.

Shed in his Sunshine Coast office

Shed Simas graduated with his B.F.A. in 2012 and was an International Student and Visual Arts major from Brazil. He was initially drawn to UBC Okanagan’s FCCS because he was looking for an institution that would cover a wide range of academic topics to broaden his skill set as a visual artist.

In an interview, he stated that “[what] attracted me to UBCO specifically was a combination of UBC’s great reputation . . . the Okanagan setting, and the smaller, more contained campus.” One of UBC Okanagan’s key welcoming programs, Jump Start, played an integral role in Shed’s integration into campus life. Living on campus also proved to be immensely fortunate because Shed enjoyed the “convenience of being able to walk to the Fine Arts building and use it any time of day or night.”

Shed also made an impact on the local community while working with Nancy Holmes and Lori Mairs on the Woodhaven Eco Art Project. Shed mentioned that he enjoyed having the “opportunity to work in the natural wonder of Woodhaven Regional Park, practice [his] design skills quite extensively and be surrounded by eco art from artists of so many backgrounds.”

Shed working on a cover design

Shed used his experiences at UBC Okanagan’s FCCS to eventually acquire a position at Harbour Publishing on BC’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Shed noted, “[the] whole concept of FCCS fits very well with publishing, an industry that perfectly brings creative and critical together.” He also added, “I think it was precisely the well-rounded nature of my background that convinced [Harbour Publishing] to hire me.” Some of his responsibilities include cover design and type setting books to be published.

The unique combination of creative and critical studies that our faculty pursues has provided a series of marketable skills that Shed skillfully demonstrated to the fine people at Harbour Publishing, one of the most influential publishing houses in British Columbia. Additionally, Shed is working on building Onça Publishing, which “is an attempt to bring literary speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, etc.) more attention, and also to celebrate the print object.” Their first intended publication, being funded by an IndieGoGo campaign, will be a limited edition version of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Book covers designed by Shed

Shed Simas represents one of many success stories for students of UBC Okanagan’s FCCS. In closing, Shed concluded: “It was a wonderful journey, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

This story was written by Brandon Taylor, English major in FCCS. Brandon is a Research Assistant in FCCS, contacting alumni to find out about their experiences here at UBCO.

Jessica Bonney posing in her studio with her chapbook, Genisis.

Jessica Bonney, a Creative Writing Major in Creative Studies, was awarded $2,500 from the FCCS Undergraduate Student Research Award fund for a research creation project exploring small press and fine press publishing through the creation of a poetry chapbook.

With this award from FCCS, Jessica worked with Briar Craig in the print studio learning to use a letter press. With the letter press, Jessica created a chapbook called Genesis, a collection of 12 poems that explore change and the human experience, using fish as a metaphor for the complexity and fecundity of life, abundance, and coming of age. The project was an exercise in creating a book that was cohesive in its visual elements as well as the text within it.

Genesis cover image

“It was an absolute pleasure to work with Briar Craig this summer. He is a very generous teacher and an incredibly talented print maker.” Says Jessica, “likewise, it goes almost without saying, that it was a pleasure to have Nancy Holmes as my supervisor for this project. I am so lucky to have such talented teachers, who have supported and mentored me.”

She explored and researched typefaces, handmade paper, paper selection, book binding, print making, and screenprinting, creating poetic content and editing her own work. She also learned to create a lively and engaging blog which explores how a creative writing student standing at a publishing crossroads in this era can find creative and time-honoured ways to make a book.

inside pages of the chapbook

“The process helped to teach me how to take a thought or idea or image, and explore that thing from many different angles, “ notes Jessica, “and even now I feel like I only just scratched the surface. Fish symbolize fertility and abundance, birth and rebirth. The journey of exploring this metaphor, translated more into an exploration of myself and the season of my life that I am in. As a collection of poems, I was surprised at how things came together. I feel, now that the book is complete and printed, that it was really an exploration of what it means to come into adulthood. The process helped to teach me how to take a thought or idea or image, and explore that thing from many different angles and even now I feel like I only just scratched the surface.”

The Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Undergraduate Research Awards provide undergraduate students support to engage in research and creation activities over the summer months. The award is meant to encourage undergraduate students who are enrolled in a major in FCCS B.A. or B.F.A. programs (English, Cultural Studies, Art History and Visual Culture, French, Spanish, Creative Writing, Visual Arts and Interdisciplinary Performance, or Combined Majors) to pursue innovative and original research under the supervision of one or more FCCS faculty members.

What: Art on the Line Gala and Fundraiser
When: Saturday, February 7, 6 p.m.
Where: Fipke Centre, UBC Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC
Cost: $190.00 per auction ticket (admits 2 people) $10.00 per entrance ticket (admits 1 person)

UBC Okanagan’s Department of Creative Studies, and the Visual Arts Course Union is excited to present its 13th annual “Art on the Line” Fundraiser & Gala this coming Saturday, February 7th, 2015. This popular annual event brings together the local arts community to celebrate the work of our students, faculty, alumni, as well as artists practicing in the community in the spirit of raising funds.

The event is limited to 100 auction tickets to be sold at $190.00 each. One ticket admits two people and entitles the holder to an exciting evening of live entertainment, good food, and of course, great art. Auction ticket holders are guaranteed one piece of artwork! Auction tickets are drawn based on a random lottery system to which ticket holders then make their selection based on the art that is remaining. This always makes for an exciting and suspenseful evening! Tickets may be reserved through event coordinator Connor Charlesworth via email at AOTL2015@hotmail.com or phone at 250-718-8761.

In addition to the regular draw, there will also be a raffle for select items that are sure to impress; $5 buys you a chance to win an original piece of art! As well, look for exciting mini-art sales throughout the night, delivered in vintage style…!

Sheri-D Wilson, an acclaimed spoken word poet and performer, will be our special guest MC propelling, prompting and piggy-backing you through the draw (metaphorically speaking), which will begin at 7:30 sharp in the Fipke lecture theatre.

Doors will open at 6:00pm for ticket holders to view the artwork, make their wishlist, and enjoy live music, refreshments and h’ordeuvres. Complimentary tissues will be provided to those that don’t get their first picks.

The funds raised from this event are distributed amongst the Visual Arts Course Union to financially aid with events such as the 4th year graduate exhibition, visiting artists, and trips. 10% of the proceeds raised from Art on the Line will go to the Cool Arts Society which is dedicated to providing fine arts opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities living in the Central Okanagan.

For more information, please contact Art on the Line coordinator Connor Charlesworth at AOTL2015@hotmail.com.

Jane Ash Poitras. Mixed Media, “Potato Peeling 101 to Ethnobotany 101”

What: Alternowledge discussion series
When: Friday, December 5, 7 p.m.
Where: Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna
Cost: Free 

The last Alterknowledge event for this term, entitled Indigenous Pedagogies and Knowledges in the Public School System, will be held on Friday, Dec. 5th at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art.

Public schools in BC are increasingly offering students the opportunity to explore Indigenous knowledges and perspectives. This is reflected in recent developments such as the English First Peoples curriculum, which explores Indigenous worldviews through literature. More than the integration of Indigenous content, these education initiatives are also about valuing Indigenous approaches to teaching and learning. What is Indigenous pedagogy, and how is it incorporated into the public school classroom?

Diane Campeau will initiate this discussion about the relevance of Indigenous pedagogy for the education of all children and youth, bringing to the discussion her experience working with schools in BC and in communities of the Algonquin Nation in Quebec.

Recognizing knowledge as a form of power, and acknowledging how structures of power shape what constitutes knowledge, AlterKnowledge provides a venue for so-called “alternative” knowledge to be shared and valued and for dominant systems of “knowledge” to be altered.

The AlterKnowledge Discussion Series is organized by FCCS faculty members, Allison Hargreaves and David Jefferess.

Information about future discussions can be found on our web page, www.ubc.ca/okanagan/fccs/news-events/ongoing/alterknowledge.html

A small group of invited participants from both the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses along with the  University of Seville, Spain will get together on Monday, November 24th for an international dialogue.

This transcultural dialogue on engaging diversity across cultures, disciplines, and professions, will include a small number of university students, researchers, student development specialists, and community members from diverse fields. In addition to exchanging ideas amongst participants at each site and between the two sites, we want to share insights between our Canadian and Spanish campuses about what we imagine we are doing when we collaborate with people across cultural and disciplinary boundaries, diverse models for describing and conceptualizing these encounters past and present, and implications for other kinds of diverse communities, such as rapidly diversifying global cities.

This roundtable will bring together three diverse groups of invitees at two leading public, research-intensive universities: UBC (Vancouver and Okanagan campuses) and the University of Seville, Spain and will engage students, staff, researchers, and community members in a transcultural, interdisciplinary, international dialogue between three campus roundtables on two continents.

This extraordinary dialogue will consist of three segments during the morning: a facilitated dialogue (in English) at UBC; an interactive videoconference dialogue between the Canadian and Spanish roundtables (with simultaneous translation, as needed); and a concluding segment (in English), which will include brainstorming for next steps in sustaining the conversation. An agenda and brief background reading (1-2 pages) will be provided to all registered participants ahead of time.

There is no charge for participating, however space is limited, and you must register in advance.

Okanagan Campus: 9:00-11:00 am
CCS 322 (FCCS Boardroom)
To register: francisco.pena@ubc.ca 

Vancouver Campus: 8:30-11:00 am
Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, Room 3340, 2405 Wesbrook Mall
To register: community.learning@ubc.ca

This research-grounded, transcultural diversity and innovation dialogue is being coordinated by several UBC units and units at University of Seville in Spain.

WHAT: Eco Cultures Research Talk: Shakespeare’s Queer Pastoral Ecology
WHEN: Wednesday, November 19, 3-4:30pm
WHERE: ADM 112, UBC Okanagan Campus
ADMISSION: Free

Vin Nardizzi, Associate Professor in English, UBC Vancouver

As part of the FCCS Research Series: Eco Cultures,  Vin Nardizzi will discuss Shakespeare’s Queer Pastoral Ecology.

The Eco Cultures Research Series focusses on the complex intersection of culture, imagination, and ecological issues.  This series connects UBC Okanagan researchers with colleagues and students engaged in diverse explorations of  today’s most timely forms of artistic and critical innovation.

Vin Nardizzi is an Associate Professor in English at UBC’s Vancouver campus where he teaches Renaissance literature, ecotheory, and queer and disability studies. His most recent publication is the book, Wooden Os: Shakespeare’s Theatres and England’s Trees (University of Toronto Press, 2013). For more information about Vin Nardizzi, visit his web site vinnardizzi.com/

The Eco Cultures Research Series is sponsored by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, UBC Okanagan and Oecologies: Inhabiting Premodern Worlds, a research cluster at UBC Vancouver.

What: AlterKnowledge discussion series
Who: Faculty and students from UBC’s Cultural Studies Program
When: Friday, November 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna      

The next Alterknowledge event, entitled The Land is our Culture, Sylix Culture on Bernard Avenue, will be held on Friday, Nov. 14th at the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art.

The new gateway to the redesigned Bernard Avenue provides an important addition to Kelowna’s public history, including banners produced by Westbank First Nation artists Janine Lott and Jordan Coble, the welcome in both English and Nsyilxceən, and the inlaid images and names of indigenous flora and fauna. Jordan Coble, who is the Curatorial and Heritage Researcher for the Sncəwips Heritage Museum, and Pat McCormick, who is an Urban Design Planner for the City of Kelowna, will initiate a discussion on these aspects of the Bernard Avenue revitalization, the collaboration between the City and Westbank First Nation, and how the relationship between Syilx people and people who have arrived more recently is represented in Kelowna’s public history.

Recognizing knowledge as a form of power, and acknowledging how structures of power shape what constitutes knowledge, AlterKnowledge provides a venue for so-called “alternative” knowledge to be shared and valued and for dominant systems of “knowledge” to be altered.

The AlterKnowledge DiscussionSeries is organized by FCCS faculty members, Allison Hargreaves and David Jefferess.

Information about futer discussions can be found on our web page, www.ubc.ca/okanagan/fccs/news-events/ongoing/alterknowledge.html

Through literature, this program focuses on questions of genre and gender, issues of voice, identity and radical uncertainty. Students examine how literature imparts meaning in multiple contexts, throughout history and in the contemporary globalized world. Courses range from composition to Renaissance Studies, Contemporary Poetics to Canadian, Indigenous and Postcolonial literatures, to studies in the emerging field of digital humanities.