MEDIAART 3D03: Detailed Schedule/Diary

Part A

In Weeks One through Six (Mon Jan 5 - Fri Feb 13), we'll work through fundamental content and activities in each of the six areas/learning outcomes, while completing a first project (project #1) that engages with those learning outcomes. The last day of class in Week Six (Wed Feb 11) will be devoted to last minute peer and instructor assistance with project #1, which will be submitted by 10 PM on Fri Feb 13 (and will be showcased during the first day back after the Winter recess, Mon 23 Feb).

Mon 5 Jan

• discussion of the prehistory of this class
• big question: what is the web as a technology and what can we make with it?
• big question(s): digital gardens and local first computing
• big question: how improvisational engagement with the web and programming lets us learn and explore these questions
• how I've come to these topics, personally
• review of course outline and assessment
• terminal basics
• JavaScript basics
• Cryptograms

Wed 7 Jan

• introduction of project #1
• ASCII and ASCII art

Mon 12 Jan

• HTML basics
• CSS basics
• JavaScript functions

Wed 14 Jan

• Relative and absolute filepaths, and copying, moving, renaming files
• Binary numbers

Part B

In Weeks Seven through Nine (Mon 23 Feb - Fri 13 Mar), we'll work through some more advanced content and activities in each of the six areas/learning outcomes, while also conceiving, planning, and proposing a second project (project #2) that must be more ambitious/scaled than project #1 was. The last class meeting (Wed 11 Mar) will be devoted to last minute peer and instructor assistance with the full proposal for project #2, which is due by 10 PM on Fri 13 Mar.

There will be no scheduled class meetings on Mon 16 Mar and Wed 18 Mar, while I inspect and approve all of the proposals. You are strongly encouraged to begin working in earnest on the execution of project #2 immediately, prior to receiving my feedback on your proposal.

During both part B and most of part C, you'll be able to complete the six asynchronous (on your own time), open-book, re-doable tests on each area/learning outcome, repeating each test as many time as necessary to receive the necessary 80% (between Mon 23 Feb and 10 PM on Mon 30 Mar, after which point the tests will become no longer available to complete, strictly). You are strongly encouraged to start attempting these tests early in the window in which they are available, to complete them without assistance or collaboration, and to use the possibility of repeated attempts as a way of learning and preparing for the final exam.

Part C

The last three weeks of class (Mon 23 Mar to Mon 6 Apr) are devoted to the execution, completion, and showcasing of project #2, which is due by the end of day on Thu 2 Apr, and will be exhibited during a public showcase during the last class meeting (Mon 6 Apr).

Final Examination

A final multiple choice exam will be scheduled during the exam period (Apr 9-22). The exam represents a final chance to earn a higher grade through demonstrating objective comprehension of each of the six areas/learning outcomes touched on by the course. The exam consists of 5 questions in each of the six areas, and to receive credit (a grade higher by one point on the McMaster 12-point scale) for each area at least 4 out of 5 of the questions must be answered correctly (80%). The 30-question exam will be scheduled by the registrar's office and will be completed in 90 minutes.