Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion
Published on June 23, 2025
About this Podcast
HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today I'm thrilled to be talking with Dr. Sarah Peterson, an expert in Digital Humanities and Religion. She's here to discuss her course, "Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion." So, Sarah, can you tell us what inspired you to create this course? GUEST: Absolutely! I noticed a gap between the digital humanities field and religious studies. I wanted to bridge that gap by introducing key digital tools and methods to analyze religious texts and communities. HOST: That's fascinating. How do digital humanities help in religious studies, and what are some of the main digital tools you cover in the course? GUEST: Digital humanities offer powerful tools like text analysis, network visualization, and digital mapping. These methods help students analyze religious texts, explore historical trends, and visualize religious communities. HOST: I see. And how about current industry trends? How does the course keep up with the evolving digital landscape? GUEST: We cover topics such as digital archives, data mining, and ethical considerations in digital research. These areas are essential for staying current in the field and conducting meaningful research. HOST: Speaking of ethical considerations, what are some challenges you've encountered or anticipate students facing when applying digital methods to religious studies? GUEST: One challenge is ensuring privacy and respect for religious communities while conducting digital research. We discuss these issues in detail to prepare students for potential obstacles. HOST: That's crucial. Now, looking to the future, how do you see digital humanities transforming religious studies? GUEST: Digital humanities have the potential to revolutionize religious studies by providing new insights, enabling large-scale analysis, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. HOST: Dr. Sarah Peterson, thank you so much for joining us today and sharing your insights on the "Fundamentals of Digital Humanities and Religion" course. It's been a pleasure and an eye-opener. GUEST: Thank you for having me. I hope listeners will be inspired to explore the intersection of digital humanities and religion.
