Divinity Faculty

Current computing in divinity is text orientated and heavily influenced by
the need to have English Hebrew and Greek in the same document or even ion the
same page. This requires highly specialized word processing which is mainly
performed on IBM PCs.

a) Computing in Research

In addition to word processing there is considerable
concordance, searching and statistical analysis performed on ancient texts. Some of
these are held on EMAS others on the IBYCUS micro with local CD rom. There is
also continuing use of electronic mail for co-operation both in the UK
and world wide.

b) Computer in teaching

There is a trial project to assist students learning Greek Grammar by a question
and answer technique that has been devised locally. Students also have access
to a version of the Greek New Testament where every word has been grammatically
tagged.

c) Computers in Administration

This is restricted to secretarial word processing and use of the link to UCCA.

d) Improvements desired

A number of improvements were identified including better screens and printers
for clear representation of foreign language characters; similar requests came
from Arts departments that dealt with unusual character sets. The department would
also like better integration of software for text manipulation so that word
processing and text analysis could be performed on the same files by the similar
packages. A growing but expensive desire was for access to database in USA and
Israel.

    The most niggling current problem is the inaccessibility of machines and
data after the building closes at 5.30. THis can be overcome by better networks
and remote file stores to enable the data to be accessed from other machines.
However a direct attack on the problems by card operated locks or similar
would bring results more quickly.

e) Funding

 The department has small but steady funding which permits a planned program
of developments. Current resources are  not likely to permit expanding the
current facilities so that they are available to all undergraduates although 
this is desired. Access to commercial database is considered essential but this
will be a further serious drain on funds.

f) Support

The following requests for support were noted

1) Help with backup and file security; This should become possible
   with the improved networking already under way
2) Help with instructing staff and students in the software used in the faculty.
This has not been an area undertaken by EUCS in the past
3) Some on site adviser or support officer
4) Programming assistance in developing computer aided instruction; the
faculty appreciated that this was a large task but the planners felt that even
so the problems were still seriously underestimated.

g) Special needs
   None

h) General Observations.

   This faculty had its computing well co-ordinated and made good use of
very modest funds; it would doubtless use more funds wisely too.