SCOPE (23/3)
Within the project, online training sessions will explore the possibilities of adapting DH methods to Islamic sciences, and participants will actively engage in the process through example projects. In this context, three introductory courses are planned to introduce the field and establish a basic conceptual framework. These include a general DH introduction course, an introduction to Digital Islamicate Research, and an introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI). After introductory sessions covering the impact of DH methods on social sciences, the historical development of digital theology studies, and definitions related to AI applications that have influenced many studies in the field, the project aims to conclude with training on significant tools of these methods. Expert instructors will introduce and assist in the application of tools related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), social network analysis, and text analysis. The training will conclude with an overview of digital theology research through an international project and an exemplary project supported by TÜBİTAK.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), network analysis, text analysis, and other fundamental methods of DH will be explored in both theoretical and practical terms, focusing on Islamic literature. Participants will be guided to conduct sample studies. The training will cover basic definitions of GIS, processes of transforming historical raw data into structured data, and the analysis of historical data with spatial (locations, routes, paths, etc.) techniques using ArcGIS software, along with map visualizations. This method, which is rarely used in the field of theology, will be supported by relevant technical explanations and enriched with datasets based on Islamic historical texts. The training will explore the extent to which mathematical formulas in social network analysis contribute to understanding social relationships. Various elements such as scholar networks, city networks, and narration networks in Islamic studies will be discussed. In text analysis, the content of classical texts will be examined, aiming to construct meaningful compositions from scattered information in these works. Furthermore, the methodological aspects of the text analysis used in the KITAB project, a significant project in the field, will be highlighted, and sample text analyses will be conducted using applications developed within the project. The training will also cover the use of emerging technologies, including ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence-based tools, and discuss how these tools can be applied to classical Islamic literature through text mining and semantic analysis methods.
The training is structured into four modules, each led by an expert in the respective field, in addition to introductory sessions and a project application example. The modules consist of: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Celal Şenol), Social Network Analyses (Led by Prof. Dr. Hasan Güçlü), Text Analyses (Led by Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Mehmet Apaydın and Arş. Gör. Sefer Korkmaz), Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Led by Dr. Mustafa Taha Koçyiğit). To facilitate practical application and ensure participants have the opportunity to apply what they learn, the daily schedule is organized into three blocks of lessons. Introductory sessions and the final project application example are common to all participants. The last day of the program is planned with two blocks of lessons. The detailed schedule, including the names of instructors, topics, content, and objectives of each lesson, as well as general information about the lessons, is shared with participants through the project website.
Participants will receive advance information about the programs used in the training, and any difficulties encountered during the installation of these programs will be addressed. Additionally, to facilitate hands-on practice in a short period, datasets suitable for each module's lesson content will be prepared and shared with users before the lessons. This proactive approach aims to ensure a smoother learning experience and practical application of the acquired knowledge.