TTh 09:30AM - 11:20PM DXARTS Electronics Area at McMahon Hall
CLASS MIRO BOARD: https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVHqd-P-4=/
This is a living document. Please check back at the beginning of each week for changes!
Instructor
Afroditi Psarra (apsarra@uw.edu)
Office hours via Zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/my/afroditipsarra or in-person at ART 333
(email for an appointment)
Teaching Assistant
Maria Thraen mthraen@uw.edu
Office hours via Zoom, or in person at McMahon Hall (email for an appointment)
Description
Introductory course of the DXARTS 47x Mechatronic Art sequence exploring the world of physical computing, creative coding and digital fabrication for art and design projects. Covers basic electronics for integrating sensors and actuators into art installations and performance. Includes real-time systems programming and design using simple software tools for controlling video and audio as well as hardware tools for data I/O to control electromechanical and sensing devices. Topics explored in the class include, but are not limited to cybernetics, robotic art, media archaeology, electronic art and music using sensing systems.
Software to install
Arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
Fritzing: https://fritzing.org/ or Fritzing on Canvas
Software to simulate circuits online
TinkerCAD: http://www.tinkercad.com
Student Responsibilities
• Attend all classes
• Participate in class discussions and workshops
• Complete all assignments
• Complete a final project and do a live demo
Policies
• Late work is not accepted.
• If you are experiencing hardness, or if you have a disability that you think may impact your participation in this class, please contact your instructors and/or Disabled Student Services. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.
GRADING (100 points possible)
• 40 - Assignments #1 and #2
• 40 - Final Project
• 20 - Participation (in class discussions + studio activities)
Course Guidelines and Policies
Conditional AI Use Course Policy
Generative AI tools can be valuable aids for learning when used thoughtfully, but they can also impede your development of critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills. In this course, AI use is permitted to help you learn how to leverage these tools professionally while building your own capabilities, i.e. vibe coding, or image generation for project diagrams/sketches. When AI is used in that manner appropriate attribution/citation is required. Using AI in other ways will be considered academic misconduct; if you have any questions about this policy, please contact your instructor and TA.
Remember: AI results can be biased and inaccurate. It is your responsibility to ensure that the information you use from AI is accurate. Additionally, many AI tools will use your data for other purposes, so be careful not to share copyrighted materials, original work, or personal information.
Academic Misconduct
The university’s policy on academic misconduct is a part of the Student Conduct Code, which cites the definition of academic misconduct in WAC 478-121. According to Student Governance Policy, Chapter 209 Section 7.C, academic misconduct includes but is not limited to acts such as cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized collaboration. Refer to the Community Standards & Student Conduct – Academic Misconduct webpage for more information.
Respect for Diversity Statement
The diversity students bring to this class (including gender identity, sexuality, dis/ability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, and culture) should be honored as a resource, strength and benefit. We will do our best to create an online environment in which each class member is able to hear and respect others. If something is said or done in the virtual classroom, or in a discussion, or in the group project process, by one of the instructors or other students, that is particularly troubling or causes discomfort or offense, we would like to know about it. While our intention may not be to cause discomfort or offense, the impact is something that we consider to be very important and deserving of attention.
Access and Accommodations
Your experience in this class is important to us. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course.
If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS at disability.uw.edu
Religious Accommodations
“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).”
Safety
Safe Campus: https://www.washington.edu/safecampus/
Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime – no matter where you work or study – to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. SafeCampus’s team of caring professionals will provide individualized support, while discussing short- and long-term solutions and connecting you with additional resources when requested.
Civil Rights and Title IX
University of Washington policy, in concert with federal and state laws, provides the right to participate in University programs and activities free from sexual misconduct or discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics, including but not limited to disability, race, sex and others. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, relationship violence, sexual harassment, and stalking.
Students who believe they have experienced civil rights discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct are encouraged to contact a Civil Rights Compliance Office Case Manager by making a Civil Rights & Title IX Report. Case managers can provide guidance on available Supportive Measures and Resolution Options.
You can also access these resources directly:
- Know Your Rights & Resources guide provides information for any member of the UW community who has experienced sexual misconduct.
- Confidential Advocates offer confidential support and advocacy for UW students and employees impacted by sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking.
- Pregnancy & Related Conditions provides information on support and reasonable modifications related to attending class or participating in educational activities if you are pregnant, have experienced a miscarriage or an abortion, are recovering from giving birth, are lactating, or have a related medical condition.
It’s also important to be aware that most employees who become aware of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct involving students are required to share information with the Civil Rights Compliance Office. They may withhold the impacted student’s name if requested.
The UW Food Pantry
A student should never have to make the choice between buying food or textbooks. The UW Food Pantry helps mitigate the social and academic effects of campus food insecurity. We aim to lessen the financial burden of purchasing food by providing students with access to food and hygiene products at no-cost. Students can expect to receive 4 to 5 days’ worth of supplemental food support when they visit the Pantry. For information including operating hours, location, and additional food support resources visit https://www.washington.edu/anyhungryhusky/the-uw-food-pantry/