Sm [Art] Spaces :: How to Build Robots for Artists
A Presidential Dream Course

TR 1:30-3:00
B17 FJC and Bizzell Library Rm 104
Spring 2009

Instructor: Associate Professor Adam W. Brown (Art)
Office: FJC 101
Office hours: Wednesday 1-3pm or by appointment
E-mail: awbrown@ou.edu
URL: www.isisconceptuallaboratory.com
Phone: 405-605-9079

Instructor: Associate Professor Andrew H. Fagg (Computer Science)
Office: Engineering Lab 152
Office hours: T/Th 1:45-2:50 or by appointment
E-mail: fagg@cs.ou.edu
URL: www.cs.ou.edu/~fagg
Embedded systems course
Phone: 405-325-8606

TA: Josh Southerland
URL: http://cs.ou.edu/~southerland/
Email: Joshua.B.Southerland-1@ou.edu
Phone: 405-317-2019

Course Wiki

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is
everything. What we think we become.” - Buddha

Course Description:
This course is being co-taught with Andrew Fagg's Embedded systems class. Together, these two classes form the Sm[Art] Spaces Presidential Dream Course. The Sm[Art] Spaces course will bridge the perceived traditional boundaries that divide
the sciences and engineering from arts and humanities. Bringing together students from computer science, engineering, and the arts, this course will explore theories of mind and body utilizing a range of perspectives, including artificial intelligence, art,
neuroscience, robotics, spirituality and psychology. Expert guest speakers will help to
facilitate this investigation by creating a stimulating backdrop.
The fine arts model will be used as a “test bed” of creative exploration to learn about the use of embedded computing devices/electronics in our environment. In particular, we will learn the fundamentals of designing, constructing and programming embedded
devices and explore the technological, social, spiritual and artistic implications of
distributing such interactive devices throughout our environments. Through this
collaborative effort, we will investigate new paradigms of creative practice that will be
manifested in a set of interdisciplinary group projects.

Course Objectives:
       • Develop collaborative skill sets and stratagies to work in an interdisciplinary
          environment.
       • Share knowldege between the fine arts and the sciences.
       • Critically read scientific and artistic works
       • Cultivate an understanding of basic electrical principles, circuit building,
          micro controllers and the use of code.
       • Maintain a class wiki that will be translated into a self-published book.

Reading Assignments:
Reading assignments will be comprised of articles, books and web pages. The assigned reading materials are designed to compliment the imaginative process and provide a context as well as inspiration for creative projects. Students are expected to have the readings completed with a one or two paragraph written response posted to the class wiki before class on the days indicated on the schedule.

Evaluation and Grades:
In order to receive a grade, students must turn work in by the due date outlined in the syllabus. Work that is not turned in on time will result in a reduced grade.
 
Evaluation of Projects will be evaluated on the basis of:
       • Technical and conceptual quality
       • Development throughout the course
       • Completion of final group projects and assignments by the specified due date
       • Quality of documentation
       • A Willingness to act on criticism
       • Team work and collaborative ability

Grades will be computed according to the following breakdown:

In-class participation: 15%
Assembly of the final book: 20%
Six project components: 50%
       Project 1: Human prosthetics exercise: 5%
       Project 2: Sentient Environments case study: 5%
       Project 3: Digital I/O: 5%
       Project 4: Project proposal: 10%
       Project 5: Project checkpoint: 10%
       Project 6: Final project: 15%
Six responses to reading: 15% (2.5% each)

Incompletes "I" are intended for the rare circumstance when a student who has been successful in a class has an unexpected event occur shortly before the end of the class. I will not consider giving a student a grade of "I" unless the following three conditions have been met.
       • It is within two weeks of the end of the semester.
       • The student has a grade of C or better in the class.
       • The reason that the student cannot complete the class is properly documented           and compelling.

Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. Interaction and collaboration are an important aspect of the learning process and are critical for establishing trust among your peers. Please note that three unexcused absences will result in failure of Sm [Art] Spaces.

Communication:
Have your university supplied email account properly forwarded to the location where you read email.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy:
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your involvement in this class.

Copyright notice: Many of the materials created for this course are the intellectual property of Adam Brown. This includes, but is not limited to, the syllabus, lectures and course notes. Except to the extent not protected by copyright law, any use, distribution or sale of such materials requires the permission of the instructor.