Course Syllabus

Digital Arts / School of Art
Bowling Green State University

COURSE 4330: Adv. Interactive Art
3 Credit Hours 
244 Wolfe Center
Tues/Thurs 11:30am - 1:50pm

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Bonnie Mitchell
Room 109 Fine Arts Center
Office Hours: Tues 9am-11am, Wed 12pm-1pm
Email: bonniem@bgsu.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION/COURSE AIM

Students will learn advanced techniques in interactive art production. They will learn to work with electronics, coding and physical objects to create interactive experiences and objects.  The course will introduce the field of physical computing in the arts and look at the history of interactive electronic kinetic objects and installations as well as explore contemporary interactive projects.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES

• Students will learn basic electronics including how to use an Arduino Board and electronic components.
• Students will learn how to program interactive devices using a variety of computer languages.
• Students will learn how to conceptualize and plan interactive projects.
• Students will learn problem solving skills
• Students will learn to set up and promote an exhibit of their work
• Students will learn about contemporary practices in interactive electronic art.

LEARNING OUTCOME ASSESSMENT

The outcomes of the class will be assessed as follows:

• knowledge of basic electronics including how to use an Arduino Board and electronic components through the successful completion of three interactive projects.
• being able to program interactive devices demonstrated through the successful coding of three projects.
• conceptualization and planning of interactive projects demonstrated through written and verbal proposals and meeting deadlines.
• problem solving as demonstrated by being able to overcome obstacles in the production of the interactive projects.
• set up and promotion of an exhibition of their work through the successful production of a show of interactive work.
• knowledge of contemporary practices in interactive electronic arts evidenced by presentations, writings and discussions

COURSE DELIVERY/INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

This class employs active learning strategies thus involves a number of individual and small group research projects and presentations, and hands on exercises. There will be lectures which focus on concepts, contemporary practice, and artistic work. There will also be critiques where students are given feedback on their work from the other students in the class as well as the teacher. 

Class lectures will include demonstrations, discussions, technical exploration, aesthetic inquiry and historical information relevant to interactive art, electronics and programming. Students are encouraged to pursue areas of interest and explore new ideas throughout the course. 

REQUIRED RESOURCES / SUPPLIES

• Firewire External Drive (formatted for both Mac and PC), or Flash Drive.
• Arduino Board (Uno) - kit will be provided
• Electronic Components: Sensors, Switches, LEDS, Relays, Resistors, etc.
• Optional: Flora or other board
• Material for your projects
• Tool box or carrier for your project (you will be expected to have it available in class) 

 RECOMMENDED TEXTS

• There are lots of references online but you may find these books helpful:
• Beginning Arduino Programming by Brian Evans
• Getting Started with Arduino by Massimo Banzi
• Arduino Cookbook by Michael Margolis
• Beginning Arduino by Michael McRoberts
• BGSU Safari Books Online offers many more useful books

ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION

Attendance is mandatory. We will be covering a variety of materials throughout the semester. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility meet with a classmate or make an appointment with me to get the information.

• 1 unexcused absence = no penalty
• 2 unexcused absences = attendance grade lowered by half a grade letter
• 3 unexcused absences = attendance grade lowered by a full grade letter
• 4 unexcused absences = fail the course; dropping the course strongly recommended

Being 15 minutes or more late to class three times will count as one unexcused absence.

Leaving class early (15 minutes or more) three times will count as an absense.

EXPECTATIONS

Each student is expected to complete all projects, exercises, in-class exercises, readings, research projects, and the final project. Details of the various assignments will be discussed in class.

By the end of the course, all projects should become part of the art portfolio.

During class time, students are expected to engage in meaningful classroom participation.

No Facebook, game playing, texting or other non-class-related activities are allowed during class time.

GRADING

Turning in Projects

Projects are due in the Homework folder prior to the beginning of class.

Revised projects are due exactly one week from the critique date. I do not accept late revised projects and you will receive a zero on the revised project if it is NOT turned in on time.

Critiques

If you miss a regular critique, the project for that critique will be lowered by one letter grade.

During critiques, I expect each student's full attention and respect and monitors will be TURNED OFF. Critiques begin promptly at the beginning of the class.

Final Critique

Attendance at the Final critique is mandatory. Missing the final critique will result in an F for the Final Project. NO late Final Projects will be accepted!

Grades / Evaluation

A (100-90)
Excellent - Above and beyond, artistically, conceptually AND technically

B (89-80)
Very Good - Beyond requirements, artistically, conceptually OR technically

C (79-70)
Average - Basically met the basic requirements - not great, not bad

D (69-60)
Did not meet requirements

F (59-0)
Project not turned in or completely insufficient

CLASSROOM CONDUCT AND DIVISION RULES

• No food or drink in the lab.
• Remember to turn off (or silence) your cellphone before class. No talk or texting during class.
• No sleeping during class.
• Any problems with hardware or software must be reported to a digital arts professor, preferably by email. Report should include Barcode number of the workstation and the exact details of the problem.

STUDENT PROJECTS

Projects created in any Digital Arts course may be used by the ART department for the purpose of promoting the student, the department and/or the university in general. These materials may also be used by the ART department for instructional purposes in future courses. Please inform the instructor if you do not want your projects used. 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Any student who wishes to discuss accommodations on the basis of a disability, please come talk to me after class or during office hours. The goal of the Disability Services for Students Office is to help provide equal access and reasonable accommodations to BGSU students with disabilities. Students wishing to discuss their eligibility for such accommodations are encouraged to contact their office at 372-8495 (413 South Hall).