Module Description

Like the word “text,” the word “editing” has different meanings depending on whether the context is literature or computing. In addition, even within the literary context, there are different ways to “edit,” and different ways to produce an “edition” of a literary text. This module introduces you to scholarly editing as a literary activity and explains how that activity has been changed by the advent of digital technology.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this module you should

  1. Understand what sets scholarly editing apart from other kinds of editing
  2. Understand what kind of reading a scholarly editor does
  3. Understand what sets digital scholarly editing apart from scholarly editing without computers

Dates and Activities

Monday, February 9

Before class

  • Read Walden, “Economy,” paragraphs 71 to end.
  • Read From Metareading to Markup and Markup and Manuscripts.
  • Leave a comment on a paragraph or some part of a paragraph in “Economy” that makes you want to know more about Thoreau’s thinking (“Why does he say that?”) or Thoreau’s writing (“Why does he put it that way?”)

In class

  • We’ll discuss Thoreau, metareading, and markup languages.

Class work: In your folder for 2-9, share your journal file with notes and reflections about metareading and markup languages.

Wednesday, February 11

Before class

In class

  • We’ll discuss books and editing.
  • We’ll prepare for Douglass Day.

Class work: In your folder for 2-11, share a journal file for the day (.md extension) containing your notes about today’s discussion of books and editing.

Friday, February 13

Before class

In class

  • We’ll meet in the Milne Library Multi-Purpose Room to participate in Douglass Day. You don’t have to stay beyond the end of our class period, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you like!

Class work: In your folder for 2-13, share your journal file with information about the documents you transcribed. Include your reflections on anything interesting you learned from transcribing them. These notes will help you develop your first blog post.