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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DMA/AS 326"
COURSE NAME: "Creative Coding"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anthony Stagliano
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: COM 311 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce students to the creative possibilities of computer coding as a media art practice. In this course, we will survey the world of code-based media art and learn the basic technical and aesthetic skills needed to begin to make our own works. Students will gain confidence using computer languages as aesthetic tools and will become familiar with key works and trends in code-based media practice.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Creative Coding is an exciting practice of art and design work that uses software. There are global networks of practitioners, as well as specific programming languages for artists and designers to develop code-based projects. The course will introduce students to this interesting world of coding for non-specialists in computer engineering. Students will practice using the Processing computer language, which was developed specifically for artists and designers, as well as the Arduino device, which is a micro-computer that controls sensors and other devices.
 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Use computer programming techniques to make media artworks.

 

Recognize the aesthetic strategies, technical demands, and conceptual tools needed to develop computer-based media artworks

Be familiar with the questions raised by code-based media in our broader social and political worlds, and how code-based artworks might intervene
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationParticipation is not simply a question of attendance and raising your hand in class. In order to receive your fifteen points, you must attend class and ask questions AND you must contribute significantly to in-class coding workshops. 15
Project ProposalsThese will be the proposals for the two major coding projects, one using Processing exclusively, and one using Processing and Arduino. Each proposal will demonstrate the project’s conceptual and aesthetic goals, and the technical skills meant to realize those goals. Each proposal is worth 7.5% for a total of 15% in this category15
Processing ProjectStudents will produce a screen and/or sound based project developed using exclusively the Processing programming language. 25
Arduino ProjectStudents will produce a sensing project using Processing and an Arduino. 25
Arduino “Starter Kit” JournalsStudents will keep journals of each of the 15 small projects in the Arduino Starter Kit, noting technical challenges encountered, and noting key course elements such as lectures, readings, labs and discussions.10
Project Presentations/CritiquesWritten critiques during the two presentations of works. Presentation attendance will be mandatory. 10

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE
Week 01: Introduction to Creative Coding 
Week 02: Basic Drawing with Processing
Week 03: Types, Expressions, Variable
Week 04: Loop functions (while, for)
Week 05: Manipulating images and sound 
Week 06: Objects (rough project due)
Week 07: Processing Presentations & Introduction to Sensor-based Media/Arduino
Week 08: Using Sensors
Week 09: Sensing Light 
Week 10: Sensing and Controlling Motion
Week 11: Processing on Arduino
Week 12: User Input
Week 13: Arduino and Sound
Week 14: Raspberry Pi Workshop (rough project due)
Exam Week: Arduino Project Presentations