Digital Classics and the future of Humanities.

Abstract

Digital classics is the digitization of classical studies to enhance the learning process of the discipline through the implementation of technology. This area is an important focus because internationally the digitization of classical studies is seen as an efficient medium to preserve and enhance the subject matter for appeal and accuracy. As the trend is fast evolving it is necessary to be aware of the possibilities that digitization may bring, to assess viable implementation in the local academic circle. Studying and researching the technological models and enhancements offered in the digital platform is vital in digitizing learning resources and in the implementation of interactive dissemination of knowledge. Classics departments can come together to create a local digital consortium emulating the international model. With the incorporation of international affiliations to help link the small but thriving local classical community with the latest digital innovations in the field. These sites can be hosted by respective departments for Classics or IT and this partnership gives academics and students a platform to conduct research, catalogue digital projects, provide online tools for researchers, list events, bibliographies, databases of publications online and offline. This is a new concept and given the relatively small number of people in the field such an interactive model seems challenging, but it is a concept worthwhile exploring. Digitization is a new territory for many disciplines but in light of the digital age Classics and the Humanities will eventually evolve in this direction.