📃 Syllabus
Tandon School of Engineering of New York University & University of Texas, Austin
TECHNOLOGY, CULTURE AND SOCIETY ∙ INTEGRATED DIGITAL MEDIA
DM-GY 9103 F
Name
Carla Gannis DM-GY 9103 F
Year & Term
Spring 2022
carlagannis@nyu.edu
Meeting Day
Tuesday
Phone
646-997-3009
Meeting Time
6:00-8:50 pm EST
Office
370 Jay Street (370J), Office 360
Location
Student Hours
Course Prerequisites
None
COURSE COMMUNICATION
COURSE WEBSITE: https://carla-gannis.gitbook.io/humor-makes-us-better-storytellers/ *where you currently are! The course website is the official source for all dates and assignments. This syllabus provides a general overview and guideline for the course. All dates and assignments may be subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
COURSE DISCORD: https://discord.gg/3P25eeuR Discord will be our primary communication tool.
COURSE ZOOM: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/95897641196 After the first two weeks of the class if you are not able to attend in person, you will need to contact eng.studentadvocate@nyu.edu, and notify me if you need to attend class via Zoom. The Student Advocate center will contact me to excuse your absence from in-person class.
RESOURCES
XR LAB & REMOTE COMPUTING WEBSITE: https://wp.nyu.edu/idmxrlab/
STUDENT INSURANCE: *All students are asked to get equipment insurance. This will not only cover the kits IDM sends, but also students' personal belongings. They can get $3000 of coverage for $90 at https://www.collegestudentinsurance.com. An explainer is here: https://github.com/IDMNYU/ER_Insurance.
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES & STRUCTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION Humor Makes Us Better Storytellers: Moving Image and the Absurd using Game Engines and Animation
"Humor is everywhere in that there's irony in just about anything a human does." - Bill Nye (“the Science Guy”, mechanical engineer, science communicator, and television presenter)
“When humor goes, there goes civilization.” - Erma Bombeck (female humorist)
Do our immersive media experiences sometimes feel too functional, either too programmatic or too earnest? Humor can be the agent that humanizes our technology driven culture and products. It also can act as salve during moments of crisis in culture and society.
This course is designed to engage students critically in exploring humor and the absurd in the production of moving image works built with game engines and video editing software, including Unity, Unreal and After Effects. Taking a speculative design approach, students can address pressing societal issues, autobiography, the art of puns and more through thoughtful and imaginative implementations of comedic storytelling.
There will be lectures; class visits from scholars on the absurd, comedy writers, and game engineers; along with hands-on introductions to working in game engines to produce comedic moving image stories. There are no prerequisites for this course, however key assets to success are tapping into your sense of humor. The course will culminate in a screening of student work at locations in New York and the University of Texas at Austin.
CONTENT WARNING Our classroom provides an open and safe space for the critical and civil exchange of ideas. Some readings and other content in this course will include topics that some students may find offensive and/or traumatizing. I will aim to forewarn students about any potentially disturbing content, and I ask all students to help to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity.
IDM PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES At a graduate (and advanced undergraduate) level, students will:
develop conceptual thinking skills to generate ideas and content in order to solve problems or create opportunities. Students will develop a research and studio practice through inquiry and iteration.
students will develop technical skills to realize their ideas.
Students will understand and utilize tools and technology, while adapting to constantly changing technological paradigms by learning how to learn. Students will be able to integrate/interface different technologies within a technological ecosystem.
develop critical thinking skills that will allow them to analyze and position their work within cultural, historic, aesthetic, economic, and technological contexts.
will gain knowledge of professional practices and organizations by developing their verbal, visual, and written communication for documentation and presentation, exhibition and promotion, networking, and career preparation.
students will develop collaboration skills to actively and effectively work in a team or group.
COURSE OBJECTIVES At a graduate level, students will:
become familiar with historical and current developments in the fields of comedy, humor and absurdity.
engage in research, analysis and collaboration.
harness their imaginations to develop innovative approaches to working with virtual reality technologies.
produce a project using the principles of comedy, humor and absurdity in moving image or performance form.
COURSE STRUCTURE This course will include lectures, field research, conversations, demos, playtesting, readings, viewings, and visits from experts.
Presentations and critiques will occur frequently.
Micro assignments, viewings, readings and listening (VRL) and process blog posts will be assigned on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. In addition, there will be a six week long End Term Project: "Humor Has Made Me A Better Storyteller" that includes student presentations at alpha and beta stages.
Critiques Presenting your work in a critique situation is exceptionally useful. You learn to structure your ideas and to articulate them to an audience. Subsequently your audience provides you with constructive criticism that can increase the impact of your project. It is important to take notes when your work is being critiqued. Be receptive to audience responses and remain unbiased. Later you will be asked to reflect upon the feedback you have received. Resist incorporating all suggestions and comments like checking off tasks on a to-do list. Analyze, prioritize, then utilize the feedback that will work for you and your project.
Rules of the Critique:
Be Present and Engaged
Give Meaningful Feedback to your classmates
Avoid vague statements such as “it’s interesting” or “it’s cool” without follow up. Why or how is it interesting or cool?
Do NOT take feedback personally.
END TERM PROJECT "Humor Has Made Me a Better Storyteller" (can be collaborative or independent)
This can be a synthetic media and/or game engine, work a social media performance, a short video using yourself or another person, a comic strip, an animation or an interactive work.
The project should address one of the forms of comedy, absurdity or humor we have covered in class.
Elements from previous class assignments can be incorporated.
This can be a collaborative project.
There will need to be video recording or documentation of the work for a screening at the end of the semester at UT Austin and at NYU that is under 5 minutes.
POLICIES
GRADING & ATTENDANCE POLICY Your final grade will be based on a synthesis of quantitative & qualitative rubrics:
Makeup assignments are only available when discussed with and approved by the professor in advance of the due date.
Each student will be accessed on the commitment, fearlessness, and continuous improvement that their work shows. Incomplete or unsatisfactory work will receive a failing grade.
Quantitative Grading Overview
Micro assignment
25%
Viewings, readings and listening (VRL) and Process Blog Posts
25%
Midterm
15%
Final Assignment & Presentation:
25%
Self Assessment Paper
5%
Professionalism
5%
Qualitative Grading Overview
A. Excellent (90-100: Work of exceptional quality; Exceeds Expectations)
Performance, participation, and attendance of the student has been of the highest level, showing sustained excellence in meeting course responsibilities. Work clearly differentiates itself from other work, has memorable impact, pursues concepts and techniques above and beyond what is discussed in class. The student thoroughly understands the theory and practice behind virtual reality.
B. Very Good / Good (80-89: Work of high quality)
Performance, participation, and attendance of the student has been good, though not of the highest level. Work demonstrates a better than average understanding of virtual reality theory & practice.
C. Satisfactory (70-79: Average; Satisfies course requirements)
Performance and attendance of the student has been adequate, satisfactorily meeting the course requirements. Work is average and competent, showing a basic understanding of virtual reality theory & practice.
D. Poor; Below Average (60-69: Deficient, but passing)
Performance and attendance of the student has been less than adequate. Work is lacking in many or most areas that show any understanding of virtual reality. Problems may include lack of interest, procrastination, poor planning and poor craft.
F. Unacceptable (59 & Below: Failing Course Requirements)
Performance and attendance of the student has been such that course requirements have not been met. Work shows no overall understanding of the course material on many levels or either a severe lack of interest.
Attendance Two late arrivals (15 minutes or more) will be counted as an absence. Three unexcused absences will result in course failure. You are responsible for making up work on account of any absence.
Contact the professor IN ADVANCE if you will not be in class (in person or via direct message on slack is preferred). If you are experiencing difficulties or feel you are falling behind, see the professor immediately, so that she is properly informed and can work with you. Communication is key.
If your absence needs to be excused, do not send any of your personal information (doctor's notes, etc...) to the professor, please contact Deanna Rayment, deanna.rayment@nyu.edu, Assistant Director of Student Advocacy, Compliance and Student Affairs
Attendance is mandatory for the 🎙Midterm Project presentations and 🛣 End Term Project presentations.
TECHNOLOGY & ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Technology Use in the Classroom Laptop computers and other mobile devices are invaluable tools for artists, designers, and students when used responsibly. However, this technology can also be incredibly distracting, especially in the classroom. When in class, you may use your laptops and other devices for any activities pertaining to the course: taking notes, researching material relevant to our readings and discussions, doing homework, making class presentations, etc. However, the following uses are unacceptable: checking email, instant messaging, texting, using social networking sites such as Instagram, etc. Also, during class screenings, your laptops should not be used.
Academic Integrity All work for this class must be your own and specific to this semester. Any work recycled from other classes or from another, non-original source will be rejected with serious implications for the student. Plagiarism, knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own work in any academic exercise, is unacceptable. Any student who commits plagiarism must re-do the assignment for a grade no higher than a D. In fact, a D is the highest possible course grade for any student who commits plagiarism. Please use the MLA style for citing and documenting source material.
The complete policy on Academic Integrity for Students at NYU can be found at https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/academic-integrity-for-students-at-nyu.html
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS Moses Statement If you are student with a disability who is requesting accommodations, please contact New York University’s Moses Center for Students with Disabilities at 212-998-4980. You must be registered with CSD to receive accommodations. Information about the Moses Center can be found at www.nyu.edu/csd. The Moses Center is located at 726 Broadway on the 2nd floor.
Diversity and Inclusion The TCS Department is dedicated to the Tandon's policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. NYU is committed to building a culture that respects and embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values – in all their facets – are, as President Andrew Hamilton said, “…not only important to cherish for their own sake, but because they are also vital for advancing knowledge, sparking innovation, and creating sustainable communities. They should be indispensable elements of an NYU education on all of our campuses. A diverse population encounters and appreciates all perspectives of an issue with a wealth of different approaches to confront it. The result is a higher quality of debate, and a more excellent and advanced academic enterprise.” https://engineering.nyu.edu/about/diversity-inclusion
NYU Global Inclusion and Diversity: NYU’s commitment to building and strengthening a university-wide culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity has led to the creation of the Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation. As part of the Office of the President, the Office of Global Inclusion provides expert consultation, resources, and innovative strategies to help guide the University—and its uniquely global and diverse student, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni communities—toward a more inclusive future. https://www.nyu.edu/life/global-inclusion-and-diversity.html
COVID-19 RELATED POLICIES Policy on Requirements Related to Access to NYU Buildings and Campus Ground All members of the New York University (“NYU” or “University”) Community are responsible for respecting and supporting the health, safety, and well-being of themselves and others. This commitment that we make to each other is especially important now, as the University faces new and evolving challenges while operating in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic activities and campus operations must be aligned with applicable local, state, and federal guidelines, orders, and laws. All activities will be rooted in facts, data, and guidance provided by government and public health authorities, as well as guidance provided by our own subject-matter experts. All Members of the NYU Community are required to wear face coverings at all times while in NYU Buildings and on Campus Grounds. https://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/building-access-policy.html
If you are experiencing an illness or any other situation that might affect your academic performance in a class, please email Deanna Rayment, Coordinator of Student Advocacy, Compliance and Student Affairs: deanna.rayment@nyu.edu. Deanna can reach out to your instructors on your behalf when warranted.
COURSE SCHEDULE
This is a preliminary schedule. Please see Weeks Schedule for updates and modifications to this course calendar. All dates and assignments may be subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
01/18 WK 01 UT / WK 00 NYU
INTROS UT Course expectations
WHAT IS HUMOR? Yuliya Lanina Presentation
UT STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
01/25 WK 02 UT/ WK 01 NYU
INTROS NYU
Course expectations ANNOUNCE: *Extra Credit: WSPARK & DSL COLLECTION ON SANSAR: ART EXHIBITIONS IN THE METAVERSE
NYU STUDENT PRESENTATIONS
HISTORY OF COMEDY: Carla Gannis Presentation and Q & A
FUN FACTS: Students from UT and NYU share anecdotes about themselves
02/01 WK 03 UT/ WK 02 NYU
UNPACKING COMEDIC LICENSE & CONTEXT, CULTURAL IDENTITIES, HISTORY, POLITICS: Yuliya Lanina Presentation and Q & A CLASS EXERCISE: "Cry Until you Laugh"
02/08 WK 04 UT/ WK 03 NYU
ABSURDITY
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS: "Cry Until you Laugh" VISITING EXPERT: Charlotte Kent
02/15 WK 05 UT/ WK 04 NYU
COMPUTATIONAL HUMOR: Carla Gannis Presentation and Q & A TECH DEMOS CLASS EXERCISE: "I-Comedy"
02/22 WK 06 UT/ WK 05 NYU
THE ART OF COMEDY IN A DIGITAL LANDSCAPE
VISITING EXPERTS: Nathan Philips & Joe Schiappa
TECH DEMOS & SKILL SHARE CLASS EXERCISE: "Funny as Tech"
03/01 WK 07 UT/ WK 06 NYU
THE BASICS OF COMEDY WRITING FOR STAND-UP: led by Valerie Nies CLASS EXERCISE & MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT: "Misdirection"
03/08 WK 08 UT/ WK 07 NYU
MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS: "Misdirection" by NYU Students
NO ASSIGNMENT
03/15 Spring Break UT & NYU
SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES HELD
03/22 WK 09 UT/ WK 08 NYU
MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS: "Misdirection" by UT Students
03/29 WK 10 UT/ WK 10 NYU
VISITING EXPERT: Michael Rees
BRAINSTORMING SESSION
OPEN WORK SESSION: Discussing Project Ideas
04/05 WK 11 UT/ WK 10 NYU
PREPARING FOR A COMEDY SHOW
SHOW PREP & PUBLICITY: Carla Gannis Presentation & Q & A
Coming up with Spec List
Documenting work Publicizing Event
TECH DEMOS & SKILL SHARING
OPEN WORK SESSION: Working on End Term Project
04/12 WK 12 UT/ WK 11 NYU
OPEN WORK SESSION: Preparing for Presentations Weeks 13 and 14 + Screenings
04/19 WK 13 UT/ WK 12 NYU
FINAL PRESENTATIONS PART 01
04/26 WK 14 UT/ WK 13 NYU
FINAL PRESENTATIONS PART 02
05/03 WK 14 NYU
ONE ON ONES NYU Students ONLY
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