FA/FACS 1939 3.0 Making Interactive New Media Art
Term: Fall 2013
Course Webpage: www.yorku.ca/nmw/facs1939f13/
Prerequisite / Co-requisite: None.
Exclusion: Not open to Digital Media BA Majors.
Course Instructors:
Course Director: Nadine Wettlaufer
office: 318A GCFA (Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts)
office hours: Tuesdays, 11:30am-12:30pm, or by appointment
lab: 01 (Tuesdays at 2:30pm)
email: nmw@yorku.ca
Teaching Assistants:
* Joe Hambleton
office: 318A GCFA
office hours: TBA
labs: 02 (Tuesdays at 5:30pm)
03 and 04 (Wednesdays at 5:30pm and 2:30pm)
email: jhambltn@yorku.ca
* Andie Shabbar
office: 318A GCFA
office hours: TBA
labs: 05 and 06 (Thursdays at 11:30am and 2:30pm)
email: ashabbar@yorku.ca
Time and Location
Lectures: 206 Accolade West, Tuesdays 1:30-2:20pm
Tutorials/Labs: All FACS 1939 labs are held in the Digital Media Art and Technology Learning
Lab (ATLL) - 102 Accolade West.
Lab
Time
Lab Leader
01
Tues. 2:30-5:20
Nadine Wettlaufer
02
Tues. 5:30-8:20
Joe Hambleton
03
Wed. 5:30-8:20
Joe Hambleton
04
Wed. 2:30-5:20
Joe Hambleton
05
Thurs. 11:30-2:20
Andie Shabbar
06
Thurs. 2:30-5:20
Andie Shabbar
Expanded Course Description
This course introduces students with little or no experience in the creation of new media works to
the issues and techniques that will enable them to engage critically and creatively with the area.
In the relatively short history of new media, a new language and tool set have become pervasive
in the world of art making. This course provides students with an introduction to interactive new
media. Using HTML, CSS, Photoshop, and JavaScript, students will engage with the web as a
creative medium. Using Max/MSP and other software, students will create a short hybrid digital
media performance. Projects will be based in a variety of new media genres concerns including
net.art, blogs, interactive narrative, procedural rhetoric, and randomness.
This course is designed to provide students with little or no experience creating interactive new
media art works some experience with fundamental issues and techniques.
This course does not require prior knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PhotoShop, or
Max/MSP. Students who have more than a little experience in these areas should consider
enrolling in FA/FACS 2930 6.0 Introduction to Interactive Digital Media or seek permission of the
course director to enroll in FA/FACS 2930 6.0.
Organization of the Course
The course consists of weekly formal lectures by the course director, as well as weekly 3-hour
tutorial sessions in a computer lab with approximately 25 students. Tutorials allow students to
experiment with software and media techniques, exploring and applying new media art concepts.
Tutorials also allow students contact time with their lab leader, who can provide guidance, ideas,
and feedback about in-progress art assignments, as well as help with software and media skills.
Lectures will introduce context, concepts and other material applicable to tutorial learning.
Lectures will also discuss new media works and course assignments. Students should make
every effort to attend all lectures and tutorials and to submit assignments on time.
Assigned readings will support conceptual development as well as practical techniques.
Course Learning Objectives
 Discover new media art, art practices, and introductory theory.
 Recognize, investigate, and use some languages and forms of new media (HTML, CSS,
JavaScript, images, sound, performance, etc.) during tutorials and for assignments.
 Plan and create new media artworks using HTML, CSS, Javascript, and various
applications.
 Apply theory and concepts from readings to new media investigations and art works.
 In written and spoken form, discuss new media art with peers and potential audiences.
 Have fun!
Course Text / Readings
There are no required course textbooks. Additional readings may be assigned or recommended
during the course. Readings are linked to from the course website.
Evaluation:
The final course grade** will be based on the following:
Assignments 1-3: interactive new media art assignments:
 Through learning how to use new media applications and investigating concepts and
forms of interactive new media art, you will create two web-based works (A1 and A3) and
one new media group performance work (A2).
Readings/Quizzes:
 This mark comes from doing assigned readings, answering quiz questions correctly
about the readings' key points and important arguments, and generally being able to
discuss readings in tutorial.
Critique Participation:
 This mark comes from attending critiques, paying attention, showing and explaining your
in-progress/complete work, and from giving thoughtful and constructive feedback during
assignment critiques. It also comes from participating appropriately as an audience
during A2 performances.
Assignments:
Due
Weight
A1 - Movement/Location
Week 5
30%
A2 - Facilitating Mediated Procedures
Week 9
25%
A3 - Spacetime Remix
Week 12
25%
Readings/Quizzes
Critique Participation
Last date to drop
courses without
receiving a grade
W4 & W7
W5, 9, 12
8%
12%
Term F
Term Y
Nov. 8
Feb. 14
Term W
** Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution
profiles.
Grading, Assignment Submission, Lateness Penalties and Missed Tests:
Grading: The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in
undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and
tests will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to
100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)
For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar at
http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2013-2014/academic/grades/index.htm.
Students may take a limited number of courses for degree credit on an ungraded (pass/fail) basis.
For full information on this option see Alternative Grading Option in the Faculty of Fine Arts
section of the Undergraduate Calendar - http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/calendars/20122013/faculty_rules/FA/grading.htm.
Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work
not only well, but on time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due
date specified for the assignment. Assignments are to be handed in in a student’s own account
on the dm.finearts.yorku.ca server, in a location specified by the assignment.
All assignments will be graded on a Mac with similar configuration to the ones in the ATL Lab.
Additionally, assignment 2 will involve an in-class performance which will be filmed for purposes
of documentation and grading.
Lateness Penalty:
 Assignments 1 and 3: If received later than the due date, A1 and A3 are penalized at
2% per day (including weekends and holidays).
 Assignment 2 cannot be late, as it is a group performance in tutorial.
Exceptions to the assignments lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate
grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor but will require supporting
documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).
Missed Tests/Critiques: A missed quiz or critique receives a mark of 0.
However, if a student misses a quiz or critique for valid reasons such as illness,
compassionate grounds, etc., exceptions may be entertained by the Course Instructor but will
require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor's letter or other acceptable documentation).
Lecture Schedule
Course Week
Week 1 - Sept. 10-12
Week 2 - Sept. 17-19
Week 3 - Sept. 24-26
Topic
Introduction, New Media Art
A1, Process, Vibrant Spaces
Visuals, Layers
Notes
A1 assigned
Week 4 - Oct. 1-3
Week 5 - Oct. 8-10
Week 6 - Oct. 15-17
Week 7 - Oct. 22-24
Week 8 - Oct. 29, Nov. 6-7
Week 9 - Nov. 5, 13-14
Week 10 - Nov. 12, 20-21
Week 11 - Nov. 19, 27-28
Week 12 - Nov. 26, Dec. 4-5
*subject to revision if necessary*
Interactive Screens/More CSS
New Media Performance/A2
Procedural Rhetoric, A2
Sound Out
Patchwork
Co-curricular half week
Remix, A3
Spatial Structures
JavaScripted Interactions
Odds and Ends
Possibilities
quiz
A1 DUE - tutorial critique
A2 assigned
quiz
No tutorials Oct 30-31
A2 DUE – tutorial performance
A3 assigned
A3 DUE – tutorial critique
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Specific requirements:
All assignments will be graded on a Mac with similar configuration to the ones in the ATL Lab.
For transporting your course work between lab computers and any other computers you use
regularly, you may find it useful either to download and install an FTP program on your home
computer, or to purchase a USB key.
Course Fees:
Supplementary Course Materials Fee:
Each student pays $35 above the price of tuition. This covers student's space on the server and
liscensing of software for the lab. It is included automatically with your tuition.
Art and Technology Learning Lab (ATLL) Card:
To use the Lab outside of your 3-hour lab time, students must purchase a Lab Card. The Art and
Technology Learning Lab Card costs $15/term or $25/year.
Students can purchase a card in the Digital Media Office (322 Centre for Fine Arts).
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information:
 Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures
http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/policies/document.php?document=69.
 Academic Integrity Website - http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity.
 Accessibility/Disability Services: course requirement accommodation for students with
disabilities, including physical, medical, learning and psychiatric disabilities
www.yorku.ca/cds.
 Accommodating Students with Disabilities (York Senate Policy)
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=68.
 Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=94.
 Religious Observance Accommodation
https://w2prod.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/cdm.woa/wa/regobs
and http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/pdf/exam_accommodation.pdf for Religious
Accommodation Agreement Form – Final Examinations.
 Student Conduct - http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/policies/document.php?document=82.