com473: physical computing and accessible design
syllabus ++ assignments ++ schedule
Spring 2020
Contact
Dr. Steven Hammer
email: shammer@sju.edu
301 Bronstein Hall
Office Hours: Wednesdays 11a-2p
Appointments: http://hammer.youcanbook.me
CourseDescription
Physical computing allows us to rethink the ways we interact with both digital systems and the physical world. In this course, students will first learn the basics of programming interactive hardware and software in the context of music and sound-based art. Then, collaborating with persons with disabilities in the community, students will co-design instruments, apply and expand upon their knowledge of disability and accessibility, and assist in organizing a community performance event. No previous experience with physical computing or music is necessary to take this course, only interest and commitment to working in a diverse and collaborative environment.
Objectives
After this course, students will :
1. understand and apply fundamentals of audio-based programming in Pure Data;
2. understand and apply contemporary theories in co-design and disability studies;
3. understand and apply basics of project documentation
4. gain hands-on experience in a co-design project with community partners
Course Policies
Inclusion and Respect
In this class, we will address issues surrounding power and identity including disability, race, gender, and socioeconomic class. I want each of you to feel heard, respected, and challenged by ideas different from your own. I also expect you to treat your classmates, co-designers, and community partners with the utmost respect and care.
Accessibility and Disability Support
If you have any concerns as we begin–or throughout–the semester in regard to the accessibility of course materials or presentation, please contact me as soon as possible.
In accordance with state and federal laws, the University will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. For those who have or think that you may have a disability requiring an accommodation (learning, physical, psychological) should contact Services for Students with Disabilities, Room G10, Bellarmine, 610-660-1774 (voice) or 610-660-1620 (TTY) as early as possible in the semester for additional information and so that an accommodation, if appropriate, can be made in a timely manner. You will be required to provide current (within 3 years) documentation of the disability. For a more detailed explanation of the University’s accommodation process, as well as the programs and services offered to students with disabilities, please see the Student Resources Page. If you have any difficulty accessing the information on-line, please contact Services for Students with Disabilities at the telephone numbers above.
Academic Honesty
Please familiarize yourself with the University’s Academic Honesty Policy. In short, I expect that you cite others’ work when you use it.
Collaborative Work
This course is highly collaborative in order to simulate professional production situations you may encounter after the semester. Sometimes, part of that experience is frustration, conflict, and/or unequal workloads. If you experience conflicts you are unable to resolve by communicating with one another directly, please contact me.
Attendance
Attendance (being in class, on time) and participation (engaging with us while you’re in class) are vital to your success in this course. You are allowed three for the semester without penalty, so use them wisely. If you miss four to five classes, your final grade will be lowered by 10%. If you miss six to eight classes, 15%. If you miss nine, you will automatically fail the course. If you do miss class, you are responsible for the content you’ve missed (please don’t email to ask me if we did anything in class on the day you missed). If you miss days in which your group requires you, your grade for that project will likely suffer.
Evaluated Work
Individual instrument design in PureData/Bela with documentation and demonstration. 30%
For this assignment, you will each build an instrument using Pure Data and Bela that is based on a sampler, synthesizer, or effects processor. While you may build on (and cite) existing projects, your instrument must be original. You will carefully document the project’s hardware and software components, and you will demonstrate your instrument for the class. You will be graded on the quality of your instrument and documentation as well as your ability to articulate and demonstrate your instrument.
Lead 15-minute reading presentation/discussion in working group, prepare summary of assigned reading. 20%
In small groups, you will prepare reading discussions and presentations this semester, paired with a 500-word summary of your assigned reading. Your presentation should briefly summarize your reading and a few important points, and then focus on facilitating a discussion that applies this reading to our upcoming partnership. You will be graded on group dynamics, accuracy, active engagement, and the degree to which your session yields actionable steps toward guiding our project philosophy.
CoDesign Instrument with documentation, presentation, and reflection. 50%
In working groups, you will collaborate with a partner from the Kinney Center to co-design a musical instrument using PureData and Bela. While you may build on (and cite) existing projects, your instrument must be original. You will carefully document the project’s hardware and software components, and you will demonstrate your instrument with your team at a final event. You will be graded on group dynamics, the quality of your instrument and documentation, and an individual reflection essay (500 words).
Materials
Software
Pure Data – Free software, download here
Readings
Kreidler (2009): LoadBang: Programming Electronic Music In Pd
TentativeSchedule
Week One – INTRODUCTIONS
1/14 WHO ARE YOU, WHO AM I, WHAT IS THIS?
1/16 DESIGN, INTERFACE POLITICS, GLITCH
Week Two – PURE DATA & DOCUMENTATION
1/21 HELLO WORLD: GETTING STARTED IN PUREDATA
Do: control.examples/ in Pd Help Browser
1/23 WHY AND HOW WE DOCUMENT
Read: Project Documentation; Github Documentation Guide
Create a Github account and complete the “Hello World Guide”
Week Three – PURE DATA
1/28 THE POSSIBILITIES ARE MANY; GROW YOUR OWN
1/30 SYNTHESIS LAB
Do: audio.examples/ A00-B06
Week Four – PURE DATA
2/4 SAMPLER LAB
Do: audio.examples/ B07-B16
2/6 DESIGN LAB
Do: audio.examples/ C01-J09
Week Five – PURE DATA + BELA
2/11 PD + BELA LAB
Read: Bela Learning Resources
2/13 SENSOR LAB
Do: Bela Pd Examples
Week Six – GROWING
2/18 LAB
2/20 LAB
Week Seven – CONFERENCES
No formal class this week. Instead, you will meet with me in working groups to present your instruments and documentation.
I will provide feedback and room for improvement.
Your draft grade is based on completeness only.
Week Eight – PRESENTATIONS
3/3
3/5
Week Nine – ON CO-DESIGN, ACCESSIBILITY, AND DIS/ABILITY
3/10 MISFITS AND CYBORGS AND THE MYTH OF NOISELESSNESS. (presentations by working groups 1, 2, 3)
Read: Garland-Thomson (2011): Misfits
Read: (Review of) McRuer (2004): Crip Theory
Read: Hammer (2019): Post-Noise
3/12 WE DON’T RETROFIT, WE DON’T ADAPT. WE CO-DESIGN. (presentations by working groups 4, 5, 6)
Read: Sanders and Stappers (2008): “Co-creation and the New Landscape of Design”
Read: Yergeau, et al. (2013): Multimodality in Motion
Read: McAllister, Yuen, Bush (2012): Cultivating Design Citizenship
Week Ten
SPRING BREAK // NO CLASSES
Week Eleven – CODESIGN PROJECT
3/24
NOW WE WORK WITH PARTNERS: MEETING AND MAKING // LABWORKS
3/26
Week Twelve – CODESIGN PROJECT
3/31
EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES // LABWORKS
4/2
Week Thirteen- CODESIGN PROJECT
4/7
MAKING IT HAPPEN // LABWORKS
4/9
Week Fourteen – CODESIGN PROJECT
4/14
TROUBLESHOOTING, POLISHING, REHEARSING, REVISING // LABWORKS
4/16
Week Fifteen – CODESIGN PROJECT && CONFERENCES
This week you will meet with me in working groups to present your instruments and documentation.
I will provide feedback and room for improvement.
Your draft grade is based on completeness only.
Week Sixteen
4/28 LAST DAY OF CLASSES: WORKING GROUP PRESENTATIONS
Final Exam
Our final exam will be a performance/demo event. Time and place TBD.