Fachmodul
Computational Thinking for Media Practitioners
Instructor: Jason Reizner
Credits: 6 ECTS, 4 SWS
Capacity: max. 15 students
Language: English
Date: Tuesdays, 13:30 to 16:45
Location: Marienstr. 7b, Room 101
First Meeting: 19 April 2016, 13:30
Description
"Computational thinking is the thought processes involved in formulating problems and their solutions so that the solutions are represented in a form that can be effectively carried out by an information-processing agent." – Cuny, Snyder, Wing (2010)
The ability to copy and paste code is not enough: Contemporary media practitioners must have a fundamental understanding of computational processes in order to articulate ideas and realize projects programatically. This module will introduce core computer science principles and programming concepts including data structures, variables, operators, control structures and functions, enabling participants to become familiar with C-syntax languages and develop the skills necessary to work effectively in Javascript, Processing or C/C++. Participants will also focus on identifying, selecting and implementing appropriate external resources, dependencies and libraries, while addressing relevant software development topics including design patterns, documentation and commenting, debugging, version control and licensing.
Admission requirements
This is an introductory course with no technical pre-requisites. Concurrent enrollment in another IFD course offering is strongly encouraged.
Registration procedure
Please send an email with your name, degree program, technical background and a brief motivation for taking this module to: jason.reizner [ät] uni-weimar.de
A valid @uni-weimar.de email address is required for registration (no other mailing addresses will be accepted). Why?
Evaluation
Successful completion of the course is dependent on regular attendance, active participation, completion of weekly assignments and delivery of a relevant semester project. Please refer to the Evaluation Rubric for more details.
Eligible participants
Fachmodul:
MFA Medienkunst/-gestaltung, MFA Media Art and Design, MSc MediaArchitecture
Syllabus (subject to change)
19 April
Introduction
Course Organization
Administrative Housekeeping
Semester Evaluation Rubric
26 April
What is Computation?
What is Computational Thinking?
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
Semester Project Overview
3 May
Foo = Bar: Variables and Data Types
Hello, World: Functions and Operators
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
10 May
Iteration and Control Structures
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
17 May
Ghost in the Machine: Interpreters vs. Compilers
or: See where the sausage is made
24 May
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
31 May
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
7 June
Midterm Presentations
14 June
21 June
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
28 June
Sources and Links from the Lecture
Assignment
5 July
No Class - xCoAx2016 Bergamo
12 July
Final Project Presentations
Further Reading
TBA