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Description
Description
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course provides an introduction to design and creativity through the use of computers to create art and music. The goal of the course is to provide an introduction to creativity at the intersection of technology and the arts. The first half of the course focuses on digital art and the second half of the course focuses on digital music. Digital animations are woven throughout the course. During this course students will create original visual and musical artifacts through computer programming. This course is designed for novices in both music/art composition and computer programming. No previous computer programming experience is required.
Sample Syllabus
Sample Syllabus
Creating Digital Art and Music through Computer Coding
TEDU 212
3 credits
Location:
Modality: In-person
Instructor
Contact Information
Office Hours
Office Location
Course Catalog Description
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course provides an introduction to design and creativity through the use of computers to create art and music. The goal of the course is to provide an introduction to creativity at the intersection of technology and the arts. The first half of the course focuses on digital art and the second half of the course focuses on digital music. Digital animations are woven throughout the course. During this course students will create original visual and musical artifacts through computer programming. This course is designed for novices in both music/art composition and computer programming. No previous computer programming experience is required.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the completion of this course, I hope students will acquire the following skills:
Use a computer to create art and music
Apply computational thinking to creative problem-solving
Describe modeling as it applies to art and music
Justify appropriateness and correctness of a digital solution, model, or artifact
Required Books
Introduction to Digital Music with Python Programming, 1st Edition
Introduction to Digital Music with Python Programming, 1st Edition
Authors: Horn, West, and Roberts
Available at vcu bookstore also
Technology Requirements and Skills
Participants need a personal computer with headphones (Mac or Windows) and access to the Internet for every class.
It is expected that you are able to use and check your official VCU email address daily.
You should be able to upload documents to Canvas.
You will be expected to interact with me and your peers using Canvas tools.
Technology Support
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If your problems persist, contact the IT support center itsc@vcu.edu or 804-828-2227.
Grading and Assessment
Ultimately, my hope is this course will give you an appreciation / passion / love / understanding of how computer coding can be used to create visual and musical artistic compositions. I truly aim to increase your confidence and enjoyment of using computer coding to create visual and musical art. There are four types of assignments in this course. They are listed below with their percentage weight for your final grade in this course.
Weekly Module Explorations (50%)
The weekly coding concepts provide illustrations of ways in which a computer can be used to support exploration of art and music. Each weekly exploration addresses broader issues of how to use a computer to create art or music through development of code that is efficient and elegant.
Assessment of weekly work is based on appropriate use of code to create art or music. In many instances, more than one solution will achieve the desired outcome, but solutions that are both parsimonious and easy to understand are more desirable.
Art project(20%)
The art project should demonstrate mastery of concepts covered in the art section of the course. The art project can build upon a weekly exploration and extend it or it can be based on an original idea, starting from scratch.
Music project (20%)
The music project should demonstrate mastery of concepts covered in the music section of the course. A music project can build upon a weekly exploration and extend it or can be based on an original idea, starting from scratch.
Attendance / Class Participation (10%)
I have found that coming to class and actively participating makes this course most enjoyable for students, and is the easiest way to keep up. Each class builds on previous classes. Regular attendance will make this course much more enjoyable for you, and will make the course much easier. I promise! Class participation includes the following (1) Bring a computer capable of running the programming languages along with headphones, (2) respond to all questions, (4) share your work when requested, and (3) respond to class polls and surveys in a timely fashion. I will generally keep an assignment updated which reflects you attendance/class participation grade.
Course Grading Policy
Each assignment is graded on a 100 point scale. You cannot earn a zero, if you do not turn an assignment in, you will earn a 50%. I do my best to keep the gradebook in Canvas updated. I encourage you each week to check your grades and make sure they are what you expect. I do make mistakes, so please let me know as son as possible if you see a mistake in your grades. It is my hope that you always know exactly how you are doing in this course in terms of grades.
Grade Scale
A = 100-93%
B= 92 - 85%
C= 84-77%
D= 76 - 70%
F = Less than 70%
Institutional Policies
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Disability Statement: If you are a student with a disability requesting reasonable accommodations in this course, please visit Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity
. All requests for reasonable accommodations require registration with SAEO
in advance of need. Faculty, students and DASS will work together regarding classroom accommodations. You are encouraged to discuss approved accommodations with your faculty.
Counseling Services
Resources for online students can be found through the Online Counseling Center
Tutoring
offers appointment, drop-in and group tutoring in undergraduate courses across the disciplines.
Writing Center
The writing center
provides assistance at all stages of the writing process, from brainstorming to final draft.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Plagiarism is stealing and passing off the ideas or words of another as one’s own; it is using another’s production without crediting the source. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to cite properly in any assignment information and concepts that are not your own originally. If a student is discovered to have plagiarized, that student will fail that particular assignment.
Academic integrity is expected in all aspects at the university including this course. Don’t expect less of yourself than you do of your students For more information: https://students.vcu.edu/studentconduct/
Students should visit http://go.vcu.edu/syllabus
and review all syllabus statement information. The full university syllabus statement includes information on safety, registration, the VCU Honor Code, student conduct, withdrawal and more.
Use VCU Libraries to find and access library resources, spaces, technology and services that support and enhance all learning opportunities at the university. https://www.library.vcu.edu/
Course Policies:
Late/Missing Work Policy
First and foremost know that I want you to do well in this course. I love the topics we are exploring and I want to instill that same love in you. I do my best to make sure that all assignments and due dates are clear. For the most part you can complete all module work in class, which is why attendance is so important. In Canvas, you can see the due dates for each assignment as well as when the assignment is available.
I do try to maintain a policy on late / missing work that is fair to everyone. I understand things come up, and I am always willing to work with you when these things happen. If you ever have an issue that prevents you from submitting work in time, simply contact me BEFORE THE DUE DATE and we will work something out.
If you are not able to contact me before the due date, you can still receive partial credit for an assignment. Late work will result in a percentage grade drop each day it is late for the next few days. Once the assignment is no longer available, you will not be able to make it up, and you will receive a 50% on the assignment.
Please review the course calendar to ensure you are aware of all due dates and that you plan accordingly. All due dates are in Eastern Standard Time. If you have reason for extended absence from your academic studies, such as hospitalization or incarceration, please contact me.
Accessibility Concerns
If you encounter any accessibility issues please contact the instructor and they will try to find an alternative.
Intellectual Property and Copyright
Intellectual property and copyrighted material that is presented in this course is not for redistribution.
Attendance and Participation
This course consists of only 15 class meetings. In almost all of these meetings, we will complete the weekly work. In the class, I will walk you through how to complete the assignments. If you have questions, I will be there to answer them. The course is designed so that you can complete almost all assignments during the class meetings. These weekly assignments make up a large percentage (50%) of your grade. I have seen that students who come to class and complete the assignments in class have a very easy time, enjoy the course, and do very well. Students who miss the class meetings find the course challenging, and do not do as well. I do my best to put weekly materials online for students who must miss a class meeting, but this is much more difficult. For these reasons, you are required to be in class.
Of course, I understand that sometimes emergencies or other unexpected circumstances arise that make attendance that day impossible. If this is the case, please let me know, before the class, so we can make arrangements to get you caught up (this provision will not apply to nonemergencies like oversleeping). If you will be absent from a class for a university-sponsored activity, please make arrangements with me — beforehand — regarding any work you might miss.
More than one, unexcused absence, will adversely effect your grade. If you come to class after I have already called the roll, you must come see me before you leave to let me know you came late, otherwise you will be marked absent. Late arrivals without prior notice will be counted as partial absences (90%). I do my best to keep the attendance/participation grade (listed as an assignment) updated in Canvas so you will always know what your grade is on this assignment.
Ultimately, I want you to do well in this course. I want you to enjoy the work, and to develop an appreciation for creating visual art and music through coding. The instruction for this course is given each week in person. Each week builds on previous weeks, so showing up and keeping up with the course work makes this course enjoyable, and you will perform better.
Course Schedule (may be altered during the semester)
Week 1
Music 1:Introduction to TunePad
syntax
Week 2
Music 2: Rhythm & Tempo
syntax / Flow of control / Loops / Variables / Lists
Week 3
Music 3: Pitch, harmony, & dissonance
User defined functions
Week 4
Music 4: Chords
User defined functions / Lists / Variables
Week 5
Music 5: Diatonic Chords
User defined Functions / Lists / Variables
Week 6
Music 6: Chord Progressions with Tunepad.chords
Week 7
Music 7: Using the TunePad recorder with samples and Tracks view for mixing
Week 8
Music 8: Presentation of music projects/ Critique
Week 9
Art 1: An Introduction to Processing.py / Color / Dots/ syntax/Loops/randomization/using algorithms with loops
Week 10
Art 2: Lines & Shapes & Interactivity
syntax/ coordinate systems/interactivity
Week 11
Art 3: Motion
conditional statements / global variables
Week 12
Art 4: Generative Art 1
conditional statements / global variables
Fall Break (Nov. 25 - Dec. 1) - No classes
Week 13
Art 5: Generative Art 2
Timer functions
Week 14
Art 6: Generative Art 3
User Defined functions, syntax, timer functions
Week 15
Art 7: Present Final Art Projects
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