Course Syllabus
MW 09:30AM - 12:20PM DXARTS Electronics Area at McMahon Hall
CLASS MIRO BOARD:
https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVLxu1LfY=/ Links to an external site.
password: electronics
CLASS DISCORD SERVER:
https://discord.gg/d5t2WujdQb Links to an external site.
This is a living document. Please check back at the beginning of each week for changes!
Instructor
Afroditi Psarra
Links to an external site. (apsarra@uw.edu)
Office hours via Zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/my/afroditipsarra Links to an external site. or in-person at ART 333
(email for an appointment)
Teaching Assistant
Eunsun Choi
Links to an external site. (ces8600@uw.edu)
In person : M, W 12:30 PM ~1:30 PM
Office hours via Zoom, or in person at McMahon Hall (email for an appointment)
Description
Part one of a two-quarter sequence exploring the world of physical computing, creative coding and digital fabrication for art and design projects. Provides hands-on prototyping with digital/analog electronics, experimenting with interface design and programming with Arduino, Processing and PureData for the creation and control of interactive objects. The students will engage with the use of smart materials and learn to create their own sensors and actuators through digital crafting tools (such as laser cutters, cnc routers and 3d printers), as well as learn to conceptualize and fabricate responsive environments. Emphasis will be made in the use of mechanics and real-time interaction for multimedia installations and performances that explore surrounding space, movement and the role of the viewer/user in the creation of immersive experiences in the physical world.
Download the syllabus here: 471_syllabus.docx
Software to install
Arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software Links to an external site.
Fritzing: https://fritzing.org/ Links to an external site. or Fritzing on Canvas
Software to simulate circuits online
TinkerCAD: http://www.tinkercad.com Links to an external site.
Student Responsibilities
• Attend all classes
• Participate in class discussions and workshops
• Complete three mini-assignments
• Complete a final project and do a live demo
Essential Bibliography
$WIKI_REFERENCE$/pages/essential-bibliography
Policies
• Late work is not accepted.
• If you are experiencing hardness, or if you have a disability that you think may impact your participation in this class, please contact your instructors and/or Disabled Student Services. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.
GRADING (100 points possible)
• 45 - Assignments (3 assignments, 15 points each)
• 40 - Final Project
• 15 - Participation (in class discussions + studio activities)
Course Guidelines and Policies
Academic Misconduct
The university’s policy on academic misconduct is a part of the Student Conduct Code, which cites the definition of academic misconduct in WAC 478-121 Links to an external site.. According to Student Governance Policy, Chapter 209 Section 7.C, academic misconduct includes but is not limited to acts such as cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized collaboration. Refer to the Community Standards & Student Conduct – Academic Misconduct webpage Links to an external site. for more information.
Respect for Diversity Statement
The diversity students bring to this class (including gender identity, sexuality, dis/ability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, and culture) should be honored as a resource, strength and benefit. We will do our best to create an online environment in which each class member is able to hear and respect others. If something is said or done in the virtual classroom, or in a discussion, or in the group project process, by one of the instructors or other students, that is particularly troubling or causes discomfort or offense, we would like to know about it. While our intention may not be to cause discomfort or offense, the impact is something that we consider to be very important and deserving of attention.
Access and Accommodations
Your experience in this class is important to us. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course.
If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS at disability.uw.edu
Religious Accommodations
“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/) Links to an external site.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/) Links to an external site..”
Safety
Safe Campus: https://www.washington.edu/safecampus/
Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime – no matter where you work or study – to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. SafeCampus’s team of caring professionals will provide individualized support, while discussing short- and long-term solutions and connecting you with additional resources when requested.
The UW Food Pantry
A student should never have to make the choice between buying food or textbooks. The UW Food Pantry helps mitigate the social and academic effects of campus food insecurity. We aim to lessen the financial burden of purchasing food by providing students with access to food and hygiene products at no-cost. Students can expect to receive 4 to 5 days’ worth of supplemental food support when they visit the Pantry. For information including operating hours, location, and additional food support resources visit https://www.washington.edu/anyhungryhusky/the-uw-food-pantry/
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
---|---|---|
Mon Jan 6, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 1: Meet + Greet | Introduction to Mechatronic Art | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Jan 8, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 1: Electronics + Arduino basics | Studio time (Taking Things Apart discussion) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Jan 13, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 2: Arduino basics | Studio time (protoytping, soldering, desoldering etc) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Jan 15, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 2: Assignment #1 review | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Assignment Assignment #1: Things Come Apart | due by 9:30am | |
Mon Jan 20, 2025 | Calendar Event NO CLASS - Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Jan 22, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 3: More electronics | Studio time (Media Archaeology discussion) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Jan 27, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 4: More electronics (motors + sensors) | Studio time (prototyping) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Jan 29, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 4: Studio time (prototyping) + Guest artist talk by Fred Paulino (Gambiologia) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Feb 3, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 4: Studio time (prototyping for Media Archaeology) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Feb 5, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 4: Assignment #2 review | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Feb 10, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 5: Speculative Object lecture | Studio time (Speculative Object discussion) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Assignment Assignment #2: Media Archaeology | due by 9:30am | |
Wed Feb 12, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 5: Speculative Object lecture + Mozzi + DF module | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Feb 17, 2025 | Calendar Event NO CLASS - Presidents' Day | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Feb 19, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 6: Studio time (prototyping) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Feb 24, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 7: Assignment #3 review | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Feb 26, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 7: Final project lecture + discussion | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Assignment Assignment #3: Speculative Object | due by 9:30am | |
Mon Mar 3, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 8: Studio time (Final project prototyping) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Mar 5, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 8: Studio time (Final project prototyping) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Mon Mar 10, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 8: Studio time (Final project prototyping) | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Wed Mar 12, 2025 | Calendar Event Week 9: Gallery show + Final project review | 9:30am to 12:20pm |
Fri Mar 14, 2025 | Assignment Final Project: Sentience | due by 11:59pm |
Assignment Participation | due by 11:59pm |