This module is intended to introduce you to historical network analysis. The readings and discussion will give you a basic understanding of networks and how historians and art historians are currently using them. The technical activities will let you construct and analyze an historical social network.

Readings/Discussion

1. Scott Weingart, “Demystifying Networks, Parts I & II” (2011).

2. Ruth Ahnert and Sebastian E. Ahnert, “Protestant Letter Networks in the Reign of Mary I: A Quantitative Approach,” ELH 82.1 (2015).

3. Matthew Lincoln, “Social Network Centralization Dynamics in Print Production in the Low Countries, 1550-1750,” International Journal for Digital Art History 2 (2016).

4. explore Six Degrees of Francis Bacon, Linked Jazz, and Quantifying Kissinger

5. use the Slack channel to make note of your thoughts as you read and complete these exercises; depending on how many people are completing this optional module, this may or may not turn into an active discussion (that’s okay).

6. OPTIONAL: check out the Journal of Historical Network Research to see if there’s any articles from a time period and geographical area you’re interested in

Technical Activities

1. download Gephi and complete the Gephi tutorial using the files linked in the tutorial.