New York College of Technology – Department of Entertainment Technology
Emerging Media Technology
Topics and Perspectives in Emerging Technology
MTEC 3140-HD40 (21298)
Fall 2023
Friday 2:30 PM – 5:50 PM
Rm: Voorhees V-321
Professor: Chloe Smolarski
Office Hour: Friday 1:30 – 2:30 PM or by appointment
email: csmolarski-heims@citytech.cuny.edu
Openlab: https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/topicsandperspectives3140fa23/
Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/topicsandpers-6gu2684/shared_invite/zt-21qasirkl-icIKEV87j9JODLFuyvL2YA
Onboarding resource: openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/mtecconnect
Permanent Zoom Link: https://pratt.zoom.us/j/94983539221
Course Description
An introduction to the study and analysis of emerging technologies and how this relates to and informs practical processes. Students will examine how technologies have evolved historically and develop perspectives on how they would best be developed in the future. Core themes include: the history of information, human-technology interaction, digital technology and culture, and the ethical and social implications of new technologies as the world faces unprecedented precarity.
Conceptual frameworks in the field of New Media and Studies of Emerging Technology will be explored through a series of readings, and screenings as we consider technology’s broader implications on society, ethics, and cultural production. Through the application of close reads, critical analysis and discussion; students will write and create multi module projects that investigate key concerns surrounding emerging technology and how these concerns apply to their own media practices. This class will function as an incubator, which nurtures discussion, multiple forms of writing and the sharing of ideas.
General Learning Outcomes
By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an ability to write both an analytical paper and a technical paper.
2. Demonstrate an improved ability to discuss complex ideas and put them into a theoretical framework.
3. Demonstrate a willingness to read, deconstruct and debate texts from the field of New Media and technology
4. Demonstrate participation in the process of creative thinking, collaboration, and the iterative process.
8. Demonstrate an ability to analyze texts and to apply obtained knowledge to other contexts
Grading Policy:
– 20% Homework – reading responses and writing exercises
– 20% Paper based on qualitative research (interviews)
– 20% Mid-term – multinodular project – The life span of a technological object (Video essay/podcast or website.
– 20% Final Project -Technical paper/Presentation
– 20% Attendance & Participation
Grading Rubric:
| VALUES | Excellent (90-100) | Good (80-89) | Fair (70-79) | Poor (60-69) | Unsatisfactory (0-59) |
| Concept | Core concept in projects is intriguing, original, and well-explored | Core concept in projects is intriguing but lacking in examination | Core concept in projects t is present and supported by the work | Core ideas are scattered without consideration | No clear concept, or work doesn’t reflect it |
| Progress | Clear and consistent progress from ideation to execution | Progress was made, but was not consistent | Evidence of procrastination, “last minute” pushes or crunch | Lack of progress in 1-2 areas resulting in project deficiencies | Little to no progress shown on the project |
| Presentation | Concept is clearly presented and strongly supported through visuals, audio and video. Production value is deliberate and professional | Concept is supported through presentation, but 2 or more areas of the design are lacking or distracting | Concept is weakly supported through presentation, project meets requirements but production value is lacking | 1-2 presentation requirements are not met. | 3+ presentation requirements are not met. |
| Skills | Clear demonstration of skills in all development areas (design principles, visual, audio, and video editing, proficient in software) | Clear demonstration of skill in 2+ development areas | Demonstrates skills, but omits topics covered in class. | Evidence of skills, but underutilization of techniques learned in class | Does not use any techniques learned in class. |
| Collaboration | Consistently provides honest, supportive feedback to peers, responsible in meeting team goals, communicates effectively. | Generally supportive, responsible, and good communication, with a few issues | Multiple issues/problems with collaboration, meeting goals, or communicating | Little to no evidence of communication, goal setting, and collaboration in a team setting. | Disrespectful to fellow students work, with negative impacts to class/team dynamics. |
Communications:
– To contact your instructor with a brief, private question or message, send a DM (Direct Message)
through Slack and Email.
– If you have a question that may be relevant to the group, post in the #general channel on Slack for all
to see and comment on.
– Use Slack for easy communications with your classmates as well—you can DM individuals or selected
groups.
– To discuss a longer matter with your instructor, make an appointment.
– If you have a tech question, post in the #techsupport channel or DM our CLT for assistance.
Required Readings:
* Assigned by instructor and posted to Openlab
Students are expected to read and prepare material prior to class.
Course Materials:
– We will be using OpenLab, Google Drive, and Zoom.
Participation Policy:
– The class meets in Zoom. Check Open Lab and Slack for the meeting link and password.
– It is critical for everyone to be fully present, participating, and engaging in the course.
– Your absences and lateness will have impact your grade. If late or absent, contact instructor.
– Absences may be excused in the following cases: illness, religious observance with advanced notice, and
on a case-by-case basis for other critical events and extenuating circumstances.
– If you are absent, it is your responsibility to catch up on what you missed.
Academic Integrity Policy:
Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other
intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing
sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility
for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and
is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion. The complete text of the
College policy on Academic Integrity may be found in the catalogue.
Academic Adjustments for Students with Disabilities:
In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations, students must first be registered with the
Student Support Services Program (SSSP). Students who have a documented disability or suspect they
may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with Ms. Linda Buist, the program manager of
SSSP (Phone: 718-260-5143, email: lbuist@citytech.cuny.edu). If you have already registered with SSSP,
please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.
City Tech’s Counseling Center:
The Counseling Services Center supports the educational, emotional and career development of City Tech
students by providing opportunities for skill development, counseling and referrals that address obstacles to
success. The Center is currently available to students remotely. For questions and appointments, contact
the Center at counseling@citytech.cuny.edu or 718-260-5030.
Inclusivity:
This course consists of individual work and group discussion. We must therefore strive to create an
atmosphere of inclusion and mutual respect: all students will have their chosen gender pronoun(s) and
chosen name recognized. If the class roster does not align with your name, gender, and/or pronouns, please
inform the instructor. It is the intent of City Tech, the department, and this course to well-serve students from
all diverse backgrounds and perspectives, that students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of
class, and that the diversity that the students bring to this class be viewed as an asset, resource, strength,
and benefit, rather than a checklist item or worse, a hindrance. Materials and activities presented in the
course will respect diversity: gender identity, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race,
nationality, religion, and culture. Your suggestions and feedback are encouraged and appreciated. Feel free
to reach out to the instructor.
Course assignments and readings are subject to change and adjustments. Please refer to Openlab for details.
Course Outline:
Week 1: 08/25 (In Person) Introduction to the course – Media transformations – the Mechanical and Digital
Lev Manovich – The Language of New Media –
“How Media Became New” pg 21-27
Week 2: 09/01(online) – The creation of Information and an Introduction to Systems Thinking
The Information by James Gleick
Systems Thinking: Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows
Tools for Systems Thinkers: The 6 Fundamental Concepts of Systems Thinking
Week 3: 09/08 (online) How humans and technology interact, Cyborgs, robots and beyond
No Class September 15
Week 4: 09/22 generative AI, Chatgpt and beyond – Why are some worried about AI and others excited?
Week 5: 09/29 The ethics behind machine learning and AI – surveillance, and governance
Week 6: 10/06 Big Data, AI and Algorithmic Bias
Week 7: 10/13 – Blockchain, crypto currencies, NFTs
Week 8: 10/20 The Pluralverse versus the metaverse – cooperative platforms
Week 9: 10/27 technological perspectives: environment, biology, and medicine
Week 10: 11/03- Bioengineering
Week 11: 11/10
Week 12: 11/17
No Class November 24
Week 13: 12/01
Week 14: 12/08
Week 15: 12/15 – Final Presentations (in class)
