Sound and media art works at the edge of ecology. In fact, many artist and theorists are interested in how media and sound themselves are part of ecology.
In this studio class, students will learn to program the nascent microcomputer Daisy. We will program Daisy ourselves using a patcher style visual programming language called Gen~ built inside of the sound program MaxMSP. Connecting potentiometers and LEDs we will work to create synthesizers for performances we design in response to natural and built environments. With compact microphones, light sensors, and speakers, we will create responsive media systems that form feedback loops with the surrounding ecology.
Our studio practice will be enriched by readings and critiques of important artists working in this field, such as David Dunn, Hildegard von Westerkamp, Lauren Sarah Hayes, Francisco Lopez, among others.
The class will be taught as a series of lectures, discussions, tutorials, project work, and student critiques.
This syllabus is only a general guideline for the course. The schedule will change depending on class performance during the semester. Adjustments will be announced during class time when changes occur.
Assignments are always due on the day they are DUE. Late work is not acceptable because of the fact that in-class activities are often closely tied to sharing and discussing assignments. Late work undermines your own learning as well as the learning community of the class as a whole.
SAIC is committed to full compliance with all laws regarding equal opportunities for students with disabilities. Students with known or suspected disabilities, such as a Reading/Writing Disorder, ADD/ADHD, and/or a mental health condition who think they would benefit from assistance or accommodations should first contact the Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) to schedule a virtual appointment. DLRC staff will review your disability documentation and work with you to determine reasonable accommodations. They will then provide you and your instructors with a letter outlining the approved accommodations via email. You must request accommodations for each course before any accommodations will be implemented. You should contact the DLRC as early in the semester as possible. The DLRC can be reached via phone at 312.499.4278 or email at dlrc@saic.edu.
Each SAIC course, whether held online or in-person, or a hybrid of both, is a learning community that relies on regular, active engagement from all participants. Other than in-person activities which are missed due to illness, all students are expected to fully participate in each of their courses, including in-person classes, synchronous online sessions, and regular, independent work and study.
Ultimately, faculty will give credit to students enrolled in a course only in they have responded adequately to the standards and requirements of the course overall.
The full SAIC Engagement, Participation, and Attendance Policy can be found in the 2022/2023 Student Handbook, on page 76. All students and faculty should review and be familiar with this important policy, as well as how it will be applied in this particular course.
From the SAIC Student Handbook: “Academic misconduct includes both plagiarism and cheating, and may consist of: the submission of the work of another as one’s own; unauthorized assistance on a test or assignment; submission of the same work for more than one class without the knowledge and consent of all instructors; or the failure to properly cite texts or ideas from other sources. Academic misconduct also includes the falsification of academic or student-related records, such as transcripts, evaluations and letters of recommendation.
Academic misconduct extends to all spaces on campus, including satellite locations and online education.
Academic integrity is expected in all coursework, including online learning. It is assumed that the person receiving the credit for the course is the person completing the work. SAIC has processes in place, including LDAP authentication, to verify student identity.”
Tutors are available in person and online to help students achieve their writing goals at any stage of their writing process. All students are welcome, and they can work on essays, artist statements, application materials, presentation texts, theses, proposals, creative writing, or social media posts. The Writing Center tutors are kind, encouraging, and interested!
Though drop-ins are welcome, the best way to guarantee an appointment is to schedule one via Navigate
The student use of various digital devices in In-Person classes, such as laptops, phones, tablets, etc. should be limited only to appropriate use given the format of the class. Use of digital devices in class to do non-class related work will not be allowed or tolerated.
Similarly, use of digital devices in class during screenings will not be allowed or tolerated. If a student has a software or hardware related problem please visit the CRIT Helpdesk on the 9th floor of the 112 S. Michigan (Maclean) Building for assistance addressing these issues.
The Office of Students Affairs is here to help students achieve success in and outside of the classroom and studios. Staff members are available to assist students with a wide-range of issues and concerns, including mental and physical health concerns, food and housing insecurity, conflicts with others, and much more. We are available during typical business hours (9-5pm, Mon-Friday); however, we also have staff available after-hours to address emergency concerns.
In case of an emergency, please contact SAIC Campus Security, 24 hours a day, by visiting any campus security desk or calling 312.899.1230. They can assist you and/or connect you with a staff member who can provide support for you.
Resources If you have difficulty affording groceries or accessing food every day, and/or do not have a safe and stable place to live, please contact the Office of Student Affairs - (312) 629-6800 / studenthelp@saic.edu during business hours. If you contact them after hours, someone will respond the next business day.
You can also find links and resources at this site, curated by Student Affairs: Student Support Resources and Information
Spoonful Food Pantry is available to current SAIC students who are experiencing difficulty accessing food because of a financial emergency or ongoing constraints. Students can request a pre-packaged bag of non-perishable groceries (vegan and gluten free available) by completing the online form Once approved, students will receive a pre-packaged bag of non-perishable groceries.
The SAIC Wellness Center, which includes Counseling Services, Health Services and the Disability and Learning Resource Center, is also here to support students' mental health, health and accessibility needs. You may contact them at: