Writing computer programs is a practice that you must do to work at.
This class will require some concerted work on your part week-in, week-out. Since much of the benefit of working with other humanities students is that we all have a rather different way of thinking about what code is, and how it works, I’ve also endeavored to build in some assignments and readings that veer towards the disciplines of Critical Code Studies and public humanities.
A once-a-week seminar is often not especially suited to this type of thing. We’ll discuss in the first day of classes whether to find an hour (or two hours) for more concrete digging. This might be one in-person and one remote, or two remote.
This class will use Nick Montfort’s Exploratory Programming for the Arts and Humanities as a text, second edition. This was published in May 2021; you’re unlikely to find a used copy, but it’s not very expensive.
Assignments are noted weekly in the syllabus. Please submit them as Colab notebooks shared with my NYU Google Account. Be sure to restart and re-run your notebook before sending it to me–the most common source of errors in notebooks is mis-ordered cells.
30% Coding assignments. Each one is Pass/Fail–did you make a good effort to complete it? Is it clear you know where you’re having trouble? Late assignments get 2/3 credit if they’re in by the next session, 50% credit if they take longer.
30% Non-coding assignments.
25% Engagement. Do you help others? Do you ask productive questions? Do you attend the working hours?
15% Free assignments from Monfort. Do you find interesting and creative ways to apply the principles. Or find other ways to engage in unstructured application of programming, and call it a “freer exercise.”
Programming is a field that has catastrophic problems with inclusivity. It is extremely important that we not replicate them here. Please do your best to be sensitive, kind, and avoid anything that might make your classmates uncomfortable. On NYU classes, there is a web form to submit anonymous comments directed at either me or that can be passed to others in the class.
Work you submit should be your own. Please consult the CAS academic integrity policy for more information: https://cas.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/cas/academic-integrity.html – penalties for violations of academic integrity may include failure of the course, suspension from the University, or even expulsion. That said, be aware that it is OK to copy and paste pieces of code–in fact, it is bad programming not to! I will not be upset if I find out that you copied and pasted anything less than 5-10 lines without attribution, though you really should.
As a nonsectarian, inclusive institution, NYU policy permits members of any religious group to absent themselves from classes without penalty when required for compliance with their religious obligations. The policy and principles to be followed by students and faculty may be found here: The University Calendar Policy on Religious Holidays (http://www.nyu.edu/about/policies-guidelines-compliance/policies-and-guidelines/university-calendar-policy-on-religious-holidays.html)
Academic accommodations are available for students with disabilities. The Moses Center website is www.nyu.edu/csd. Please contact the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities (212-998-4980 or mosescsd@nyu.edu) for further information. Students who are requesting academic accommodations are advised to reach out to the Moses Center as early as possible in the semester for assistance.