Syllabus

SUBJECT TO CHANGE STATEMENT

The syllabus and course schedule may be subject to change. Changes will be communicated via the course website, email, and Slack. It is your responsibility to check email and Slack messages and course announcements to stay current in the course.

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Eric Parren, Assistant Arts Professor of IMA
Office W838
Office hours: by appointment (email or slack me!)
epar[at]nyu.edu

COURSE INFORMATION

Course number + title: INTM-SHU 132 Kinetic Light
Course Description
The practice of using light and motion as artistic media traces its roots back to the architectural design of spiritual structures in ancient cultures and the use of fire and shadow in religious ceremonies. However, not until the invention of electricity, the incandescent bulb, and electric motors did light and motion really become artistic media themselves. The current availability of cheap and abundant sources of motion and light have opened up new possibilities for the creation of sculptural objects which compose structures in light and movement.Drawing upon the combined histories of lumia, kinetic sculpture, and op art, we will be investigating the historical and current developments of kinetic art and light art. Students will create kinetic light sculptures of their own design, building upon and expanding their knowledge of digital fabrication, physical computing, and generative software systems. They will learn how to compose in color, light, rhythm, movement, and space and how to install and present their work in a public setting.
Prerequisite: INTM-SHU 101 Interaction Lab
Class meeting pattern: Wednesdays, 17:15 – 20:00 @ N405

COURSE OVERVIEW AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The first weeks of the course will be dedicated to exploring the senses and sensory perception, this will also be the focus of the first project. After that, we will turn our attention to light and the different forms of electrical light that we can work with; culminating in project 2, a light artwork. Finally, we will focus on motion and how to create and control motion. For project 3 you will combine all these topics into a kinetic light object. During the course you will be expected to experiment with digital fabrication methods and challenged to write compositions in code.

Upon Completion of this Course, students will be able to:

fabricate kinetic structures using digital fabrication methods
design and build electronic circuits for motion and light
write code to compose in movement and light
analyze and critique historical and contemporary works of kinetic art and light art
present their work and give a meaningful explanation of it to their peers
analyze the work of their peers and give a meaningful critique of it

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Class Participation

You are expected to actively contribute to the in-class assignments, discussions, and critiques. Participation in these activates will be considered as part of your final grade. When discussing and critiquing, try to create an open, active, and supporting environment to encourage diverse thoughts and comments.

Assignments

There will be three major projects for this course, five small assignments, plus reading reflections. All projects, assignments, and reflections will be posted to the course website. Please check it regularly to stay current with the course.

Assigned Readings

All readings will be made available through the course website or will be available as online materials accessible through the NYU Library. Links to additional and optional readings can be found in the resources section of the course website.

Grading of Assignments

Grading will be based on the three major projects, the assignments, reading reflections, and class attendance and participation.

Each major project will be evaluated on its originality, aesthetic qualities, and technical implementation. To successfully complete a project, you should show in your documentation that you understand the technical aspects of what you’ve learned, can place your project in a theoretical/historical context, and were able to apply this knowledge in a meaningful, original, and creative way. To successfully complete an assignment, you should show that you understand the technical requirements and are able to apply them in a creative manner. To successfully complete a reading reflection, you should show an understanding of what the author discusses and how it relates to the material covered in class.

Since this will be a new medium for most of you, personal growth, engagement with the material, and showing ambition will also be factored into the equation. Class participation means punctuality, focus in class, articulation of your concepts, and contribution to the class critiques and discussions.

The grade for this course will be determined according to the following formula:

Activities	Percentage of Final Grade
Attendance	10%
Participation	10%
Assignments	10%
Reading Reflections	10%
Project 1: Sense Interference	10%
Project 2: Let There Be Light	20%
Project 3: Kinetic Light	30%

Letter Grades

Letter grades for the entire course will be assigned as follows:

Letter Grade	Percentage	Points
A	95% – 100%	4.00
A-	90% – 94%	3.67
B+	87% – 89%	3.33
B	83% – 86%	3.00
B-	80% – 82%	2.67
C+	77% – 79%	2.33
C	73% – 76%	2.00
C-	70% – 72%	1.67
D+	67% – 69%	1.33
D	63% – 66%	1.00
F	62% or below	.00

View Grades

Final Grades will be viewable on Albert.

Please inquire directly with me for any questions regarding your grades. All students will receive a midterm progress report containing grades for all their completed projects, assignments, and readings. The report will also contain feedback on course standing, progression, and expected outcome.

COURSE MATERIALS

Required Materials

Current laptop – no more than 5 years old. (if you don’t have one, you can borrow one from the IMA Equipment Room during class time, after attending an IMA orientation session)
Software: Make sure that you have the latest version of Arduino (https://www.arduino.cc/) installed on your computer.
Course Kit: Students will be provided with a limited amount of electronics, such as motors and LED lights, through the course kit. However, it is expected of student to purchase additional electronics as their projects require.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance and Tardiness

You are expected to attend all scheduled classes. If you are unable to attend a class, notify me before that class. If you are going to miss a class, it is your responsibility to make up the material you missed.

Absences and Grades

3 absences will lead to an F for your participation grade.
4 absences will lead to a one letter grade reduction in your final grade (A becomes B).
5 absences will lead to failure of the course.

Absence Exceptions

Observance of Religious Holidays: You may miss class for the observance of religious holidays. If you anticipate being absent because of religious observance, notify me in advance so we can create a plan for making up missed work. For more on this policy: https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/university-calendar-policy-on-religious-holidays.html

Competitions, Conferences, Presentations: You are permitted to be absent from classes to participate in competitions, conferences, and presentations, either at home or out of town, as approved by the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs. Review the Undergraduate Bulletin for the conditions you must meet to obtain approval for this kind of absence.

Illness: When students are ill, they are expected to notify professors in advance of class, if possible. If the instructor determines that it is an excused absence then the student should negotiate with the professor the time and place for make-up of assignments, tests and/or examinations missed. Students who have been seriously ill, hospitalized and/or miss more than a week of classes due to medical reasons, should contact their academic advisor to discuss appropriate options for missed classes and/or coursework.

A student with an injury or medical condition that requires ongoing accommodations (temporary or permanent) should contact the NYU Moses Center for Student Accessibility (CSA). If an accommodation is recommended by the Moses Center, then Academic Affairs may communicate on behalf of students to advocate for excused absences/extensions. Reasonable accommodations, considering the course objectives, student learning, and fair standards, are ultimately decided by the professor.

Students who, in the judgment of the instructor, have not substantially met the requirements of the course or who have been excessively absent are not considered to have withdrawn from the course if they remain on the roster and may be given the final grade of F.

Tardiness

Punctual arrival is mandatory for this class. Be on time. Please do not leave in the middle of class unless it is an emergency.

Late Assignments

Assignments are due on the date posted on the course website. Missed assignments will earn 0 points. Exceptions can be made only with prior approval of the instructor. The three main projects must be delivered on the date stated on the course website.

Electronic Devices

Mobile Devices: You may not use mobile phones in class unless otherwise indicated. Laptops are allowed for note taking, in-class work, as well as relevant research. Activities not related to the class, such as recreational browsing of the internet, including all social media websites, email, and instant messaging, game playing, and work for other classes, will not be permitted.

Your laptop should always be closed whenever a fellow student is presenting.

Recording Class: To ensure the free and open discussion of ideas, you may not record classroom lectures, discussion and/or activities without my advance written permission; any such recording can be used solely for your own private use. If you have approved accommodations from the Office of Disability Resources permitting the recording of class meetings, you must present the accommodation letter to me in advance of any recording. Distribution or sale of class recordings is prohibited without the written permission of the instructor and other students who are recorded.

Use of Generative AI Tools

All work submitted in this course (code, schematics, blog posts, etc.) is expected to be your own. Outside contributions, whether machine-generated or from any conventional source, need to be properly cited and acknowledged. (See e.g. this MLA guide for how to cite ChatGPT etc.)

Submitting materials that you haven’t authored yourself (even if attributed) will lower assignment scores, if doing so prevents you from demonstrating proficiency in stated learning outcomes. (e.g. showing the ability to apply techniques and tools introduced in class, or the ability to critically analyze readings and viewings)

You’re welcome to explore AI tools, such as ChatGPT or Midjourney, to help generate ideas or to brainstorm. However, you should note that the material generated by these programs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise problematic. Beware that such use may also stifle your own independent thinking and creativity. These tools might sometimes help in finding answers to technical questions, but you are encouraged to make use of the course’s tutoring resource instead.

Submitting materials that you haven’t authored yourself unattributed will be considered a possible Academic Integrity violation (see Academic Honesty/Plagiarism section below).

Instructional Technology

The main resource for course information, course schedule, reading and writing assignments, project descriptions, additional resources etc. is the course website which can be accessed at http://wp.nyu.edu/shanghai-ima-raps. Please check the course website regularly to stay up to date. Please also join the IMA All Classes Slack and join the #kineticlight-sp24 channel.

Electronic Communication: In addition to the course website, important updates on course information, course scheduling, assignments, etc. will be disseminated through email and Slack. Additionally, please feel free to email or slack me whenever you have any questions at all or want to set up an appointment. I will usually respond within 24 hours of receiving your email. Do not expect immediate responses to emails sent late at night or on the weekends.

Assignment Notification: All assignments will be posted to the course website. It is your responsibility to check the course site regularly to stay current with the course.

Instructional Technology Tools and Assistance: If you need assistance with IMA specific technology such as Slack or WordPress please reach out to the IMA Fellows for assistance or ask for help on the IMA All Classes Slack. If you need background on specific instructional technology tools, such as Zoom, NYU LMS (Brightspace) and Voicethread, check the RITS Student Toolkit. You may also email shanghai.rits@nyu.edu for assistance.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism

Carefully read NYU Shanghai’s Statement on Academic Integrity (in the Undergraduate Bulletin). Breaches of academic integrity could result in failure of an assignment, failure of the course, or other sanctions, as determined by the Academic Affairs office.

Disability Disclosure Statement

NYU Shanghai is committed to providing equal educational opportunity and participation for students with disabilities. It is NYU Shanghai’s policy that no student with a qualified disability be excluded from participating in any NYU Shanghai program or activity, denied the benefits of any NYU Shanghai program or activity, or otherwise subjected to discrimination with regard to any NYU Shanghai program or activity. Any student who needs a reasonable accommodation based on a qualified disability should register with the Moses Center for Student Accessibility for assistance. Students can register online through the Moses Center and can contact the Academic Accommodations Team at shanghai.academicaccommodations@nyu.edu with questions or for assistance.

Title IX Statement

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs. It protects victims of sexual or gender-based bullying and harassment and survivors of gender-based violence. Protection from the discrimination on the basis of sex includes protection from being retaliated against for filing a complaint of discrimination or harassment. NYU Shanghai is committed to complying with Title IX and enforcing University policies prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex. Shakera Turi (shakera.turi@nyu.edu), Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator is a resource for any questions or concerns about sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, or sexual misconduct and is available to discuss your rights and judicial options. University policies define prohibited conduct, provide informal and formal procedures for filing a complaint and a prompt and equitable resolution of complaints.

Links to the Title IX Policy and related documents:

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

ARC Services

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers both individual, one-on-one tutoring as well as group sessions in a variety of ways, in a variety of courses. You can log on to WCOnline to book an appointment with a Global Writing & Speaking Fellow or a Learning Assistant (LA). The Global Writing & Speaking Fellows conduct individual consultations on writing, speaking, reading, and academic skills coaching. LAs provide both individual and small-group tutoring support in over 30 STEM, Business, Economics, IMA/IMB, and Chinese Language classes. Visit shanghai.nyu.edu/arc for more information about ARC services.

Library Support

Library Services

The Library is available to support your research needs. They have access to over 27,000 print resources, 2,000 DVDs, and 1,000 databases (including over a million e-books, as well as streaming audio and video and image databases).

Librarians with expertise in your research topic are available to meet either in person or online by appointment or by email to help you navigate the research process. Our library team features experts in Business, Arts & Humanities, STEM, Social Sciences & Economics, and data tools & resources. Ask us how we can assist you in developing a research question and formulating a research strategy, to selecting databases, requesting materials, and citing your sources. Visit shanghai.nyu.edu/library for more information on:

24/7 access to e-books, e-journals, streaming media, and databases
Booking one-on-one consultations for research help
Asking the Library questions via chat or email

Electronic Reserves

Students can access course readings using their NYU credentials for courses they currently enrolled in at https://ares.library.nyu.edu/.

Interlibrary Loan Service

For materials not available to you immediately, you can request scanned copies of a book chapter or journal article through our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. If you don’t know which chapter you need, you can request a Table of Content through ILL.