Course Information: FA435 Interactive Media
Professor:
Joseph Stengel
Office
# 7021 meetings by appointment
Contact
digtem@yahoo.com
Class blog: http:// fa435.blogspot.com
Class Site: http://www.squidoo.com/interactive_media
What its
all about:
FA435 is a new class that
delves into the exploration of Interactive media through the lens of Art.
During the term we will examine both physical and virtual interactive media
while discussing the roll it plays in art and society. The class will
investigate current interactive media artists and will partake in creating a
definition for this medium. We will be using programs such as Google Earth,
Sketch Up & Photoshop along with multiple web applications such as Flickr,
Blogger, WriteBoard and Squidoo. Projects include: artist sketch blog,
interconnected web network, sculpture park on Google Earth, reactive installation
and the interactive tin.
Please note: this course is
not just about making you proficient with applications and the web. While this
is inarguably important, our efforts will transcend the tool to reveal the
greater meaning of Interactive media as an art form and to study itŐs place in
current society. In this regard we will consider the computer just a tool, (one
of many) not a means to an end. We will also discuss the issues of working in a
discipline tied to technology and the reality of creating in a medium under
constant change. We will focus on 'seeing'. We will consider content and
context, and of course technique.
In Class time: Will involve
a combination of application demoŐs and technical instruction, one on one help,
lectures on pertinent issues within the medium, work time for projects, and
critiques of projects.
Outside Class time: in
addition to projects, will involve exercises and tutorials, independent
research, and some reading and writing.
Grading
Policy:
All work must be submitted
for critique on the due date. You must show work during class to receive a
grade. Assignments will be collected on the class web site &/or on CD as
each assignment is due (following the direction for each project). If you fail
to hand your assignments in on time, one letter grade per week will be
subtracted off the grade received. You are responsible for backing up your
work! Work submitted by the deadline may be revised for re-evaluation.
Resubmitted work must include substantial revision and show considerable
improvement and alteration. Resubmission of work at this stage is strongly
encouraged, time permitting. The revised grade will be an average of both
grades received.
Grading
and Such:
This is an Interactive
Media class! Your grade will reflect the amount of your interactivity with
the class. You need to show up on time, be an active participant in the
classroom and be active up on your, other students and the class web sites. You
must be present for the setting up and breaking down of the class gallery
Installation and you have to have your individual projects ready at the
beginning of the class on the day it is due.
In
addition I will subtract:
15%
for 4 missed classes
20%
for 5 or 6 missed classes
7 classes missed will result in an F
Materials:
-
USB thumb Drive at least 512MB (Staples usually has them cheap)
- Digital Camera (we have
some to give out)
- Home computer with
internet connection (very helpful)
Requirements:
Technology changes at a
rapid rate. Because of this what I stress most in any Digital media course is
resourcefulness, initiative, independence and it doesnŐt hurt to love what you
do. Unfortunately you cannot learn everything in the classroom, because within
6 months to 1 year, the technology will change, as well as the issues
surrounding it. What you learn will be only partially useable. Therefore, it is
important to emphasize within yourselves your own sense of research and passion
for the medium. To master it requires an understanding on your part that the
path is one of continual learning and discovery.
( I believe this is ultimately necessary for success
)
Exercises and tutorials
within the context of the various applications that we'll encounter throughout
this course will cover technical issues and help to provide you with
competency. Projects are more idea based, experimental and independent,
allowing you to put your skill and knowledge to work. They are designed to
improve your technique, but it is also intended that you go above and beyond
technical issues to emphasize a deeper exploration of the medium in terms of
content, ideas, and imagination. Any assigned readings are not meant to torture
you, but are intended to serve as a supplement to projects, providing you with
a deeper insight into cultural issues related to interactive media.
-Each project has specific
guidelines on how to hand it in. Failure to follow these directions will result
in a 3pt loss on the project.
-Using a computer during a
critique is disrespectful to me and to the person whoŐs work is being
discussed. You will loose 5 points on the project.