Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2017 - IAT 811 G100

Computational Poetics (3)

Class Number: 6541

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The theory and practice of metacreation, i.e. the design of generative and pro-active computer software endowed with creative behaviour is presented. Tools and techniques from artificial intelligence, artificial life and machine learning are introduced and exemplified through their application in previous artistic works. The interweaving of related theoretical and practical issues situates metacreation within a larger perspective on art, science and technology.

COURSE DETAILS:

This graduate level course is designed as a critical exploration of computational art history, theory and practice. Through artistic explorations, readings, seminar discussions, writing and concept design, students will learn to identify and explore some of the major issues that artists and designers who are working at the intersection of computing and art face in the milieu surrounding what is variously termed interactive and computational art and its discourses.  

This course prepares students to critique and contextualize emerging ideas in media art, computational art, biological art, generative art, speculative design and the aesthetics of interaction. It enables students to question assumptions, to locate values and influences, and to determine design tools, artifacts and strategies through which they can communicate, express, perform, generate, represent and/or embody their artistic ideas.  

Issues such as gender, culture, virtuality, narrative, presence, identity, biology, computation, space/time and cognition will be explored in relation to the diversity of computational art practice and theory. Particular focus is on the intersection of computation and artistic practices through comparative discussions and enactments of knowledge construction and so-called embodied practices. This includes emerging interdisciplinary, philosophical and cultural influences that currently shape and/or reflect interactive and computational art communities.

This semester a particular focus will be on the intersections of aesthetics, technology, and society––what Mitchel and Hansen (2010) call ‘the technoanthropological universe’. Participation in the course this semester will include gallery visits and active critical writing about contemporary curation and exhibition in the greater Vancouver region.  

Students will:
1. lead and participate in seminar discussions,
2. contribute to online discussions of seminar topics in the course website
3. select and investigate a topic relevant to their research/practice,
4. present a conceptual framework for their findings,
5. will submit a final project that may take the form of a research paper OR a project/exhibit/performance,
6. present their final project in a course symposium at the end of term

Alternative and speculative final projects are encouraged, and work in small teams is possible, but students who wish to pursue these options must first obtain the instructor's permission to do so.

Grading

  • Participation and Weekly Blog Assignments 30%
  • Response Paper 15%
  • Individual Seminar Presentation 15%
  • Project Proposal 10%
  • Final Project/Paper 30%

REQUIREMENTS:

Some combination of programming and art (including the performing arts and music) experience is desireable, but is not strictly required.

If you are unsure about your suitability, please contact the instructor: Dr. Hennessy (hennessy_kate@sfu.ca)

This is a graduate class; however, accomplished undergraduates may take this course with permission of the instructor.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

MATERIALS
All materials for final projects are the responsibility of the student.

EQUIPMENT
To check out equipment that may be used for this class, please refer to SFU Surrey's Library: http://www.lib.sfu.ca/surrey/equipment

PROTOTYPING LAB (SIAT's "Solid Space")
If the use of SIAT's protyping facilities is of interest, students must first take short safety & training classes.

For guidelines and descriptions of the facilties, refer to: http://www.sfu.ca/siat/about/space.html 

Contact Maja Jensen, Production Technologist, for dates and times of training classes: mjensen@sfu.ca, phone: 778-782-8911.

REQUIRED READING:

"Art & Electronic Media" (2014) by Edward A. Shanken; reprint edition; Phaidon Press
ISBN: 9780714868585

"Critical Terms for Media Studies" ( 2010) by W. J. T. Mitchell; University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226532554

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS