Course Descriptions
The Digital History Ph.D. program at Clemson University offers a dynamic curriculum that combines rigorous historical training with cutting-edge digital methodologies. Our courses are designed to build core competencies in historical thinking, digital tools, and professional development, while offering flexibility for students to pursue their individual research interests.
We offer a rotating selection of reading seminars in U.S., World, and European history, as well as research seminars that provide students with opportunities to conduct in-depth research and develop writing projects related to their areas of interest.
For a visual representation of the curriculum and degree requirements, students should consult the Course of Study form.
Below, you’ll find descriptions of courses commonly offered as part of the program. Course availability may vary by semester, and students should consult with their advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies when planning their schedules.
Digital Field Courses
Students complete a core methods sequence that introduces coding and key digital tools like text mining, data visualization, and mapping, all in service of historical research. Alongside technical training, students read foundational texts in digital history and its historiography. A rotating Topics in Digital History seminar offers deeper engagement with areas such as GIS and Spatial History, AI, or Ethics of Technology.
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HIST 8500: Digital Methods for History I
An introduction to the use of digital technologies for historical scholarship. Students gain direct experience with basic digital methods and how they can be used to support historical arguments (3 cr).
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HIST 8510: Digital Methods for History II
The use of computational methodologies in developing and analyzing historical questions using programming. Students learn to collect, manipulate, analyze, and visualize data. Students learn how historians can use textual, geospatial, and other forms of analysis to support historical arguments (3 cr).
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HIST 8520: Theories of Digital Analysis
An overview of the various computational techniques used by historians. Students prepare for the digital history exam required of all doctoral students in the digital history program (3 cr).
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HIST 8540: Topics in Digital History
Exploration of a topic in digital history, such as a particular technique for historical research or one type of project to share history with an audience. Students develop substantial projects of their own (3 cr. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits, but only if a different topic is covered). Preq: HIST 2150.
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HIST 8550: Seminar in Digital History
Seminar in digital methodologies which prepares students to do further research in digital history (3 cr. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits with consent of the graduate program director, but only if different topics are covered).
Primary and Concentration Field
Primary and concentration field seminars rotate in topic and offer deep engagement with major historiographical debates. Recent seminars have included Women in Power, Labor and Capitalism, Modern U.S. History, and Empire and Colonialism. U.S. history offerings alternate annually between thematic seminars and U.S. I and II courses, which offer a survey of major and foundational scholarship. Graduate students may also enroll in a select number of 6000-level courses that are taught alongside undergraduate sections.
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Primary Field Graduate Seminar
See course catalog for all graduate seminar offerings
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HIST 8850: Independent Study
Critical study of a historical topic, selected according to needs of the student and with approval of graduate program director. (3 cr. May be repeated for credit with consent of graduate program director).
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HIST 8860: Graduate Readings
This readings course is used by students to prepare for comprehensive exams. Students submit writing assignments as assigned by the individual professor (3 cr. May be repeated for a maximum of 18 credits).
Career Diversity Courses
Career preparation is built into the curriculum to help students succeed within and beyond academia. All students complete a professional internship tailored to their career goals and participate in the Digital History Salon, a colloquium that fosters intellectual community while offering professional development workshops on topics like grant writing, job market preparation, and emerging trends in the field.
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HIST 8580: History Graduate Internship
In this internship experience, students are immersed in a professional work environment that aligns with their career goals. Students learn both theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to work in their desired field (3 cr. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits).
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HIST 8820: Digital History Salon
Colloquium-style meetings convened multiple times per semester; introduces new ideas to stimulate discussion among a community of scholars composed of doctoral students and faculty broadly interested in the study of digital history in theory and practice along with professional development topics.
Core Courses
Core courses lay the foundation for advanced study in both historical and digital methodologies. Students begin with seminars in historiography and historical thinking that explore contemporary approaches to the discipline and introduce tools for both traditional and digital research. These courses establish shared frameworks for scholarly inquiry and prepare students for work in all three of their comprehensive fields.
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HIST 8810: Historiography
Seminar discussion of contemporary approaches and methodologies used by historians; exploration of current debates over major issues confronting the discipline of history (3 cr).
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HIST 8010: Historical Thinking and Digital Research
Seminar discussion of historical research methods; introduction of various methods and tools for traditional as well as digital research and analysis within the discipline of history; engagement with theoretical perspectives on and practical training in scholarly research and communication.
Dissertation
After advancing to candidacy, students enroll in dissertation credits while conducting independent research. Most students reach this stage after 2.5 to 3 years of coursework and exams. Under the supervision of their advisor, they research and write a digital dissertation that reflects both historical insight and methodological innovation.
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HIST 9910: Doctoral Dissertation Research and Writing
Students work on researching and writing their dissertation under the supervision of a professor. Students are expected to present their work at least once a year in a departmental seminar. To be taken Pass/No Pass only (3 cr. May be repeated for a maximum of 54 credits).
