Times and rooms:
Monday: 9-12pm / Section 021 /
RCC-359A
Wednesday: 12-3pm / Section 011 / RCC-359A
Email: david.bouchard@ryerson.ca
Office: RCC-307
Office hours:
Tuesdays, 2-3pm
Wednesdays, 3-4pm
Book a time here
Get
the syllabus in PDFDescription
This foundational studio class will introduce students to fundamental concepts, techniques and strategies for the production of computer mediated art works. The studio will challenge students to move beyond the role of consumers of software into the position of reflective creators of experiences. Integrated with Studio II: Research for Experience Design this hands-on course will allow students to investigate the interplay between creative expression and technological capability. A variety of conceptual and practical approaches to virtual, hybrid and physical media practices will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on computer and coding literacy as well as constructing and evaluating innovative creative forms and media artifacts.
The class will be centered around learning the Processing development environment: “Processing is an open source programming language and environment for people who want to program images, animation, and interactions. It is used by students, artists, designers, researchers, and hobbyists for learning, prototyping, and production. It is created to teach fundamentals of computer programming within a visual context and to serve as a software sketchbook and professional production tool” [processing.org]
Objectives
By the end of this course, students will:1. gain an understanding of the fundamentals of computer programming
2. develop a working knowledge of a current programming language (Processing)
3. gain a high level understanding of logic, program structures and algorithms
4. build their problem-solving skills by learning to go from an idea to execution in an organized, systematic fashion
Communication
Your Ryerson email will be the main method of communication for this class. Class announcements will be made using the BlackBoard system. You will also be required to maintain a simple class web page where you will post your responses to the assignments. You are expected to have the basic HTML skills required to publish this simple web page and create links to your assignments.
Textbook
There is a required
textbook for
the class: Learning
Processing, by
Daniel Shiffman Optionally, students are also encouraged to get Getting Started with Processing, by Casey Reas and Ben Fry. Both books are available at local bookstores or online through both Amazon and Chapters.
Grading & Evaluation
55% - Problem sets
(x3)
20% - Midterm Exam
20% - Final project
5% - Participation
Problem sets consist of a few
questions addressing specific programming concepts, each to be answered
by a short program. Problem sets are to be written individually.
Students will need to demonstrate knowledge of the basic programming
techniques, problem solving skills as well as creativity.
Problem sets will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Correctness: does the program answer the question and produce the correct output? Are there compile, run time or logical errors?
- Style: is the program clear and well commented? Does it make use of stylistic techniques covered in class? (naming schemes, organization)
- Creativity: is the response original, aesthetically appealing and show personal style?
The responses to the problem sets should be available online on the student's class website, before class on the day the problem set is due. Late problem sets will be deducted 5% per day up to a maximum of one week, after which you will get 0.
The final project will be an original short program, created either as an answer to a specific design brief (to be announced towards the end of the semester) or as an open project. You will need to submit a short proposal towards the end of the semester -- additional guidelines will be handed out closer to the due date. Marking guidelines will be the same as for problem sets. You are encouraged to work in groups two for this project.
Participation is expected and required. You can demonstrate participation by being on time, voicing your opinions in class and helping others. Failure to sign the attendance sheet will constitute an absence; 3 absences will be an automatic 0 for participation.
University policies & practices
Academic IntegrityStudents are expected to follow the Student Code of Academic Conduct which can be found in the calendar or on-line at the Academic Council website: http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2011-2012/pg2030.html
With respect to
writing programs, borrowing bits of source code from various on-line
resources is an accepted and wide-spread practice (assuming that the
license allows it). However, you are expected to be writing original code
and therefore you may not borrow entire programs and pass them as your
own. If you do borrow small portions of someone else's program, make
sure that full references are
provided (at the very least a URL and the original author) in your
program's documentation. Failure to do so is considered plagiarism.
Accommodation of Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability that might require accommodation, please make sure you register with the Access Centre and supply any necessary Accommodation Forms. Accommodations can not be applied retroactively. http://www.ryerson.ca/accesscentre/
Accommodation of Student Religious Observance
At the start of each term, students who have religious observance obligations which will lead to absences from campus or academic activities during the semester should fill out the appropriate forms and have me sign them. For more information see the Student Guide http://www.ryerson.ca/studentguide/AcademicMatters2.html
Discrimination Harassment Prevention Policy
Ryerson University is committed to fostering a collegial study and work milieu that is free of discrimination and harassment and one in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. http://www.ryerson.ca/equity/dhpspolicy/