Nov. 10 | Spencer Stewart: “Can We Quantify Cultural Change? Textual Analysis for History”

Dear all,

We invite you to attend the fourth session of the East Asia: Transregional Histories Workshop, to be held this Thursday, November 10. Please note that this workshop does not have an associated paper. Instead, Spencer will introduce the workshop to textual analysis methods and offer a demonstration to interested participants; he will also reflect on the utility of these methods for historical research.

Thursday, Nov. 10 | Spencer Stewart 

Postdoctoral Fellow, D. Kim Foundation and The University of Chicago

Can We Quantify Cultural Change? Textual Analysis for History

(CEAS Room 319, 4:00 – 5:30 pm CT)

Abstract: This workshop explores several different textual analysis methods and their application for historical research. In addition to providing a general introduction to methods such as collocations and word embeddings, we will test out these methods using the Chinese-language magazine Eastern Miscellany 東方雜誌 (1904-1948). We will discuss, among other things, the advantages and disadvantages of different tools, the difficulties of working with non-Western languages, along with whether or not it is possible (or even useful) to quantify cultural change. No prior knowledge is required.

We look forward to seeing you there. 

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions and suggestions.

All best,

Gabriel Groz and Xiangning Li