Syllabus

final project (may be a group project) the theme and form of the final project will be open to students’ creativity. However, it should address the materials covered in class. As there will be a considerable amount of time dedicated to crafting the final project, there will be “milestone” assignments that must be met regarding concept, technical research, testing and construction.

classroom performance and participation We are working in a relatively new area of creative practice. As such, there is no “standard” way to cover the material. This course would not be possible without the kindness and graciousness of many who have shared their knowledge and expertise. This course aims to uphold the spirit of the DIY and open source communities by sharing information and expertise among ourselves, with the goal of ultimately giving back to the larger community any knowledge that we gain. As such, I plan to post things we learn and do to the course website. Students are encouraged to make additions, and students’ intellectual property will be respected.

Participation in discussions and workshops is of vital importance.

grading

Students will be evaluated based on a combination of concetp, creativity, historical/aesthetic context, technical proficiency, design, craft and presentation according to the UB Grading System:

course policies

NOTE: If you begin to experience inordinate difficulties with the course, or have issues regarding the class that you want to discuss, please see the instructor as soon as possible. If notifying the instructor does not seem appropriate, seek assistance from the Academic Advisor for the Department of Media Study. If you wait until the end of the semester, the possibilities of being helped are less promising.

general

• Students who require special accommodations because of a diagnosed disability should bring relevant documentation to the instructor and/or to the Chair, who will oversee arrangements with assistance from the Office of Disabilities.
• Student athletes must provide an official letter with the dates of their meets and travel days during the first weeks of classes. Make up quizzes and exams that fall during those days must be rescheduled with the instructor at least 3 days before departure. As a rule of thumb, we will administer make-ups and move work deadlines to the day before the student leaves town.
• Students are expected to turn off and put away cell phones, pagers, iPods, CD players and computers before entering class. (unless you can do something cool with it or have taken it apart…seriously)
• Students are not permitted to enter the classroom with any type of food. Please eat before or after class.
• Students are expected to follow the guidelines for appropriate behavior outlined in the University Catalog. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
• If you need to depart early, do so quietly after having cleared it with your instructor at the beginning of the class session.
• The grade of incomplete will be given only to students who have some serious, well-documented medical condition or in cases of family tragedy, etc. and who have satisfied the attendance policy and are missing only one major assignment. No incomplete will be given to substitute for a poor or failing grade or for any other reasons. A written agreement must be drafted and signed by the instructor and the student. The instructor reserves the right to request completion of the incomplete prior to the 12 months set by the University.
• Final grades are final. Â Once grades are submitted, they will not be changed. Thus, students should refrain from cajoling instructors (via email, phone, in person, etc.) into changing the final grade, which goes against University policy.

attendance

• Regular attendance is required for the development of proficiency skills.
• Attendance means attentiveness, cooperation, and active participation in class.
• In order to remove an absence mark, students must bring OFFICIAL documentation detailing the extraordinary circumstance which prevented the student from being present in class (based on University Catalog guidelines). This documentation is due no later than one week after the absence.
• Students are responsible for the material covered and the homework assigned on the day/s they were absent.
• In case of an ongoing problem, such as a personal crisis or chronic illness, the student should resign from the course and retake it when circumstances allow for fulfillment of the requirements.
• Tardiness will be penalized. Once class has started, latecomers will be counted as absent.
• Leaving the classroom for a considerable period of time will be considered an absence.
• Students with 3 unexcused absences be penalized half a letter in their final grade. Each additional unexcused absence will result in an additional loss.
• Attendance at critiques (midterm and final) is essential for all. Attendance at class critiques is mandatory, even if the student is not scheduled to present their work. Failure to attend a critique session (barring excused absences) will result in a penalty of one full letter grade for the corresponding project.

class work

• Students are expected to do their own work on all assignments and course work.
• Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F and disciplinary actions by the university. Examples of academic dishonesty are: copying the work from the internet or a book, having someone else do the work for you, or copying during an exam or quiz.
• Be prepared for class each day by having done the assigned readings, etc.
• Homework will be assigned during each class by the instructor.
• It is the student’s responsibility to bring any questions on the homework to the attention of the instructor.
• Homework will be turned in to the instructor on the designated date.
• Each student will be required to meet with the instructor for a progress report before the end of the resignation period. Students who are failing the course will be encouraged to resign the course before the deadline designated by the university.

schedule

continued…