Art and Computation Curriculum and Courses

sophomore year, fall semester (three credits, required for both Art and Computation and Sound majors)

This course introduces the core themes of computational art and design, including interaction, networks and simulation. Students will engage with these topics through modern digital production techniques, examining them from formal, material, historical and social perspectives.

sophomore year, fall semester (three credits)

This course focuses on computational techniques, methods and ideas in the context of art and design. Studio projects first center on the design of algorithms and then shift to involve computer programming and scripting. Critical attention is given to code as a body of crafted text with significant aesthetic, philosophical and social dimensions, as well as the tension, conflict and potential possible when computation generates, informs or interacts with drawings, materials, forms and spaces.

Historical and contemporary works of computational art and design will be presented and assigned for analysis. This course is open to students of all majors and is designed for those with little or no experience in programming.

sophomore year, fall semester (three credits)

This course investigates the impact of computation and media technologies on artistic production and the way artists have utilized new technologies like computers, electronics, the internet, mobile devices, AI, robotics and other tech media to create works of art. Students will analyze the works of pioneering new media artists, study the impact of technological advancements on artistic practices and discuss the social, ethical, political and cultural contexts that have shaped the aesthetics of computational art practices.

Through a combination of readings, discussions, case studies and project-based work, students will engage with key debates, texts and methodologies that address the histories and potential futures of this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.

sophomore year, spring semester (three credits, required for both Art and Computation and Sound majors)

This course builds on the themes covered in the prerequisite Core Studio 1, introducing more advanced digital production methods and themes. Students are encouraged to explore and develop personal working methods and interests through studio projects, fostering a self-directed practice that culminates in a final end-of-year critique.

sophomore year, spring semester (three credits)

This course is a practical and conceptual exploration into electronic sensors, processors and actuators in the context of interactive art and design. Students will turn everyday objects into ambient interfaces or “responsive systems” that respond to the conditions of the human body, data networks and the environment.

Contemporary works of art and design—from kinetic sculpture and sound art to installation, architecture and product design—will be examined through readings and presentations. Open source hardware (Arduino) and software (Processing) will be taught along with the fundamentals of electronic circuitry. Emphasis is given to the development of creative projects (individual or collaborative), followed by an iterative implementation process (planning, prototyping, testing, analyzing and refining).

The course is structured around a series of tutorials and exercises, culminating in a final project. Students also present work-in-progress and prototypes during class reviews to receive qualitative feedback from the class and the instructor. Participants will engage with physical computing conceptually and technically in their studio work and are encouraged to leverage their individual backgrounds to excel in the respective context. Prior experience with electronics and programming is recommended but not required.

junior year, fall semester (three credits, required for both Art and Computation and Sound majors)

This course deepens the exploration of computational art and design, pushing students to experiment with more complex methods. Emphasizing independent inquiry, students will refine their creative process and technical skills, developing a cohesive body of work.

The course encourages critical engagement with emerging technologies and their social, cultural and artistic implications. This course also provides guidance for students to articulate and present their body of work, engage in discussions about the field and explore various directions to position their practice.

junior year, fall semester (three credits)

This course explores the translation of digital processes into physical works through fabrication and installation, with a focus on how computational design can be realized in tangible forms. Students will develop projects that utilize code as a tool for creating objects, installations and interactive environments, bridging the gap between digital and material practices.

Throughout the course, students will experiment with digital fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, CNC milling, laser cutting and other methods for physicalizing digital designs. The emphasis will be on how code can act as both a creative medium and a method for generating physical outcomes. Students will also engage in critical discourse around the materiality of code, exploring questions of authorship, the aesthetics of digital and physical systems and the cultural implications of digital fabrication in contemporary art.

junior year, fall semester (three credits)

This course introduces students to the power and politics of technologies and offers an in-depth exploration of the critical issues surrounding technological practices and discourses and its impact on society, culture and the environment. It examines how technological advancements—ranging from artificial intelligence and digital platforms to biotechnology and data systems—shape and are shaped by social, economic and political forces.

Through readings, lectures, case analysis  and class assignments, students will engage with key theoretical perspectives from science and technology studies, cultural studies, queer, feminist and critical race theory to analyze topics related to algorithmic bias, surveillance, digital labor, ethical considerations in AI, digital colonialism, data geopolitics, bioethics and the environmental implications of technological innovation.

junior year, spring semester (three credits)

Building on prior knowledge, emphasis will be placed on self-guided, rigorous research and experimentation. The class will provide structured opportunities for encouraging iterative development and refining ideas through prototypes and drafts, and developing project management/research skills over long-term projects. The course culminates in a public presentation of individual projects, fostering professional development and critical discourse.

This studio investigates the dynamic relationship between humans and computational systems, focusing on how artists and designers can engage, mediate and materialize interactions between people and machines. Students will create interactive works that explore the cultural, ethical and material implications of computation in our daily lives.

Projects will range from responsive installations and generative artworks to tangible interfaces and digital environments. Through the combination of code, hardware and critical theory, students will explore the potential of computation as an artistic medium, considering both technical and conceptual frameworks.

senior year, fall semester (three credits, required for both Art and Computation and Sound majors)

This course marks the beginning of the senior degree project, where students will embark on a year-long, self-directed exploration of their chosen theme. Emphasis will be placed on developing a coherent proposal, conducting in-depth research and creating a series of experimental works that lay the foundation for their final presentation.

Regular critiques, individual mentoring and group discussions will support students in refining their artistic voice, developing their skills and articulating the critical context of their work.

senior year, spring semester (three credits, required for both Art and Computation and Sound majors)

In the concluding phase of the degree project, students will focus on the production, refinement and presentation of a substantial body of work. The course will provide opportunities for advanced critique sessions, peer feedback and technical development, culminating in public presentation, distribution and a comprehensive review. Students will demonstrate their ability to synthesize concept, technique and context.