ARTICULATION DOCUMENT
T343 – Humanist Computing
MODULE STRUCTURE
Module Category: Specialisation
Level (year of study): Year 3
Credit Units: 4 Modular Credits
Curriculum Hours: 90
Contact Hours: 60 over 15 weeks (4 hours per week)
Module Assessment: Continuous Assessment: 50%
- 15 Daily Grades
Summative Assessment: 50%
Understanding Test 1: 15% (online)
Understanding Test 2: 15% (online)
Understanding Test 3: 30% (online)
SECTION 2: MODULE OVERVIEW
Humanist computing is a methodology inspired by observations of human perceptions and
behaviours. The general principle is that humans are good at solving problems, summarising
information and making decisions with incomplete information. It seems natural therefore that
when we are faced with the problem of building artificial systems to perform similar tasks we take
some inspiration from the observation of humans.
School of Technology for the Arts, Republic Polytechnic
T343 Humanist Computing
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Humanist computing, according to Dr Jonathan Rossiter, research-fellow at the Department of
Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, is a methodology inspired by observations of human
perceptions and behaviours. The principle is that artificial systems can be modelled on certain
human cognitive behaviour such as solving problems, dealing with ambiguity and summarizing
information.
As Traub and Lipkin state in their essay Digital Humanism, “the computer only has value as it
enhances that which makes us human... Our humanity likes in our ability to transmit from one to
another, allowing others to gain access to successful formulations and articulations that further our
notion of being.”
MODULE OUTCOMES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Listed below are the principles on which the module objectives are based:
Information Theory
 How information is processed; how it flows and the different ways in which it can be
represented.
Network
 The connections between people and systems.
Mapping
 Highlighting and visually representing the relationships between elements
Ecology
 Interdependency of systems and the connections; the relationship of a design in a system.
Perception
 How humans make sense of stimuli.
Interfacing
 The communication between people and systems.
Applications of skills learnt in Humanist Computing:
 Designing of intuitive interfaces

Information architecture

Instructional design

Information design
School of Technology for the Arts, Republic Polytechnic
T343 Humanist Computing
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Allocated time per day
Module Coverage
Discussions in
Study Cluster
Principles:
a) Information Theory
b) Network
c) Mapping
d) Ecology
e) Perception
f) Interfacing
Application:
a) Designing of intuitive interfaces
b) Information architecture
c) Instructional design
d) Information design
Total = 15 Problems = 90 hours
Resource
gathering
and team
work
Skills acquisition
and practice
20
20
42
8
40
42
8
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The module is predominantly delivered via a problem based learning style curriculum. However, up
to 15% of the module uses a technical hands-on tutorials style curriculum. The module is
predominantly taught in a classroom and also involves field trip and a mini project with a simulated
industry client.
LEARNING RESOURCES
References
Rossiter, J.M (2003). Humanist Computing: Modelling with Words, Concepts, and Behaviours. In
Jonathan Lawry, James G. Shanahan, Anca L. Ralescu (Eds.), Modelling with Words (pp. 124–152).
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Traub, C.H & Lipkin, J. Digital Humanism, Education of an E-Designer, 2001
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T343 Humanist Computing
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Bibliography
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