Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Before enrolling in this course, you should have completed the following courses:
- Creative Coding Techniques
- 3-D Animation Techniques
- Mixed Reality Techniques
- Game Engine Techniques
Course Materials
Required Textbooks
- The Language of New Media by Lev Manovich: Broadly defines contemporary and emerging digital art and design practices
- Critical Play: Radical Game Design by Mary Flanagan: Provides an art historical and theoretical context in which to consider the ideation and production of your self-directed projects in this course
- Good Entertainment by Byung-Chul Han: Argues against traditional value-based distinctions between "high culture" fine art and "low culture" entertainment, providing a robust philosophical framework for creating entertaining cultural products
Suggested Software & Technology
You are free to use any software you'd like as you pursue your self-directed projects in this course. Examples include:
- Computer system that meets these specifications
- Autodesk Maya (Free educational license)
- Unity Hub
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Processing
- Three-button mouse
- External hard drive
Suggested Additional Resources
The following online periodicals and resources can provide additional artists to watch, art criticism to read, and relevant cultural theory to be introduced to.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Points |
|---|---|
| Written Responses (6 assignments × 5 points each) | 30 points |
| Project Proposals (2 assignments × 5 points each) | 10 points |
| Project Descriptions & Self Assessments (2 assignments × 5 points each) | 10 points |
| Midterm Submission | 20 points |
| Final Project Submission | 20 points |
| Participation | 10 points |
| Total | 100 points |
Scale
| Letter Grade | Percentage of Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90–100% | 100–90 points |
| B | 80–89% | 89–80 points |
| C | 70–79% | 79–70 points |
| D | 60–69% | 69–60 points |
| F | less than 60% | 59 points and below |
Course Components
Weekly Help Boards
Weekly Help Boards are provided for you to ask questions of the instructor or your peers, to troubleshoot specific tools and techniques related to your projects, outside of the Live Sessions. Participation in Weekly Help Boards is optional.
Live Sessions
Most Live Sessions are composed of two hour-long segments with a short break in between. The first hour is dedicated to an active discussion of the previous week's assigned reading and Artist to Watch. In the second hour, we will host an online Studio Session, which is dedicated time for working on your individual projects. During Studio Sessions, you will have the opportunity to spontaneously share work with each other or with the instructor, get technical help, or get critical feedback on your progress. I request that your video be turned on for these sessions so we are all present and participating. Feel free to use the chat liberally!
In addition, two Live Sessions will be reserved for individual meetings between each student and the instructor, and two other Live Sessions will consist of break-out sessions for sharing peer feedback on your projects. We will also reserve two Live Sessions for the Midterm Critique, and two Live Sessions to host the Final Project Critique.
Live Session participation each week is strongly encouraged, however each session will be recorded if you cannot attend. In the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please email me ahead of time regarding the circumstances of your absence. If you need to miss a Live Session, I will provide a make-up assignment. Live session attendance will be graded as Participation (see below).
Weekly Written Assignments (10 assignments × 5 points each)
Weekly Written Assignments allow you to process the assigned weekly readings as an active engagement with the course content. These assignments also prepare you for the Live Session discussions of the textbooks. You will be awarded full points for each post upon timely submission. All late written assignments will be awarded half credit.
Midterm Submission (20 points)
You are welcome to pursue one semester-long project or two shorter projects. The Midterm Submission can be an in-progress work or a distinct finished product and will be assessed based on merit. For more information about grading criteria, see the grading rubric on the Midterm Submission assignment page.
Final Project (20 points)
The Final Project will be assessed based on merit. This can be a continuation of your Midterm work or a distinct Final Project. For more information about grading criteria, see the grading rubric on the Final Project Submission assignment page.
Participation (10 points)
Live Session discussion participation is vital to your study of Interactive Media and Art & Technology. You will be evaluated based on your overall attendance, participation in assigned readings and Artist to Watch discussions, and active participation in the Midterm and Final Project critiques. Please see the Interactive Media Participation Rubric for more information about how participation will be graded.
Course Policies
Communication
Outside of the Live Sessions, the best way to reach me is by email or through Canvas Messenger. If you'd like to schedule an individual Zoom meeting, we can arrange this via email. If you have specific questions about using the software, please start by posting to the Weekly Help Boards, as other students may have similar inquiries. You can expect a response within 24 hours.
Late Policy
Any late written assignments will be awarded half credit. If you are absent for the midterm or final critique Live Sessions you must post your work to the accompanying discussion board. You are welcome to contact the instructor to arrange for an extension if you have extenuating circumstances.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|