Course Syllabus
Design Faculty
This course was originally designed by Anna Reser. The course overview video is from Anna Reser, and therefore, the information presented is relevant to her and is not necessarily representative of the topics that will be covered in this course this semester. Your professor for this semester is well versed in the subject and will guide you through this course.
Teaching Faculty Contact Information
About Your Instructor
Originally from Reno, Nevada, Pete Froslie currently practices in Oklahoma, where his work explores intersections of art, technology and culture. Froslie is the Director of the School of Visual Arts at the University of Oklahoma and a Professor of Art, Technology and Culture. He received his MFA from the Studio for Interrelated Media at MassArt and his BFA from the University of Nevada-Reno.
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Materials
Required Books
- Reality Media: Augmented and Virtual Reality Maria Engberg and Blair MacIntyre ISBN: 978-0-262-04512-4
- The Alignment Problem: Machine Learning and Human Values Brian Christian ISBN: 978-0-393-86833-3
- Art in the Age of Machine Learning Sofian Audrey ISBN: 9780262046183
- Virtual Reality Samuel Greengard ISBN: 9780262537520
- The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything Matthew Ball ISBN: 978-1-324-09203-3
- The Industries of The Future Alec Ross ISBN: 1476753652
Required Articles & Other Materials
- Marx, Leo. Marx, Leo. Technology: The Emergence of a Hazardous Concept.
- Artificial Aesthetics: A Critical Guide to AI, Media and Design Lev Manovich and Emanuele Arielli
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Writing | Reading responses | 35% |
| Discussion/Participation | Attending Live Session (or viewing recording and writing a response) | 40% |
| Final Project | A proposal for a future project in your discipline (2000 words) | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Reading
We'll read several books, articles, and essays about emerging technology, theories of the future, and contemporary art. This is the most important component of the course.
Writing
Every week, we'll write reading responses to broaden our perspective on the future.
Reading responses are designed to help you:
- Practice taking detailed notes in your own words when you read.
- Identify the main argument or thematic exploration in what you read. Become familiar with different styles of writing and learn to quickly identify essential structures like argument and evidence.
- Improve retention and organize ideas from reading into your own thinking and work by writing short responses.
Discussion
In each week's Live Session, we'll have a critical discussion of the week's reading and writing assignments where you'll have an opportunity to share ideas and insights with your classmates and gain a deeper understanding of the reading.
Final Project
The final project for this course is to write a 2000-word proposal for a future project in your discipline. This could be an exhibition proposal for a gallery or museum, a grant proposal, a book proposal, a lesson plan, or anything else that would be helpful for you to work on in this course. This should be something you actually want to do in the future. If possible/applicable identify the institution or entity to whom you want to propose this future project and write your proposal in line with their guidelines. For example: if your proposal is for a large-scale public project or a teaching initiative for the National Endowment for the Arts, identify the appropriate granting scheme at the NEA and use those guidelines to draft your proposal.
This assignment will result in a very useful boilerplate document that you can adapt when you decide to move forward with the project.
Course Policies
Communication
For questions about the course, to make an office hours appointment, or for anything else you need, please email me (preferred) or message me through Canvas. You can expect to receive a response from me within 24 hours.
Late Policy
Late work is accepted until the last week of regular instruction, but you are strongly encouraged to keep up with writing assignments on a weekly basis. No late work will be accepted after the Friday of Week 14.
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.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
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, the 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 in 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 can enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability or 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
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Institutional Equity Office (M-F, from 8-5, at 405-325-3546) or OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013).
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 your instructor 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 the innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional information about severe weather preparedness is available through the Department of Campus Safety's Emergency Management Division.
OU-Norman Campus: Tornado Refuge Protocol
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 who may need help.
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area.
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone who 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 |
|---|---|---|