Coded Poetry

MS187: Coded Poetry

Scripps College Media Studies, Spring 2024
Mon / Wed 4:15 – 6:15PM
Lang 214

Professor: Xin Xin (any pronouns)
Email: xxin@scrippscollege.edu
MS187 Office Hours: Mon / Wed 6:15 – 6:45PM (Lang 227)
Virtual Office Hours: Fri 3:00 — 5:00PM (Booking Page / Zoom Link)

Course Description

Coded Poetry is a part-seminar, part-studio course that introduces computation and code as an expressive tool for poetry reading and writing. In the seminar portion, we will study a diverse range of poetry that incorporates avant-garde and generative techniques. In the studio portion, we will interpret, remix, and write original poems using computational methods such as markup languages, character encodings, interactive typography, and printing technologies. A series of assignments will lead up to a poetry reading event at the end of the term.

Learning Outcomes

• Comprehensive understanding of computational techniques that can be utilized in the processing and outputting of poetry writing.
• Gain insights into avant-garde and generative approaches poets have used in their creative process.
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of text manipulation and display using Python and p5.js.

Community Agreement

The statement remixes the p5.js Community Statement, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 and the voidLab statement. We will discuss and make final suggestions to this statement on the first day of class.

Coded Poetry is a community of learners interested in exploring the creation of art and design with technology.

We are a community of, and in solidarity with, people from every gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, language, neuro-type, size, ability, class, religion, culture, subculture, political opinion, age, skill level, occupation, and background. This means that we will use preferred pronouns, respect self-identifications, and be mindful of special needs.

We like these hashtags: #noCodeSnobs (because we value community over efficiency), #newKidLove (because we all started somewhere), #unassumeCore (because we don't assume knowledge), and #BlackLivesMatter (because of course).

In practice:

• We are not code snobs.
• We listen to each other.
• We recognize that people learn in different ways, therefore we don’t judge when someone asks a question.
• We actively recognize and validate multiple types of backgrounds and perspectives.
• We work together and help each other out when it’s within our capacity.
• We keep our community respectful and open.
• We are mindful and kind in our interactions.

A collaborative effort between students and the faculty is needed to create a supportive learning environment. While everyone should feel free to experiment creatively and conceptually, if a class member points out that something you have said or shared with the group is offensive, avoid being defensive; instead approach the discussion as a valuable opportunity for us to grow and learn from one another. Alternatively if you feel that something said in discussion or included in a piece of work is harmful, you are encouraged to speak with the faculty of this course or Scripps Media Studies Program Chair Carin Wing.

Final Grade Calculation

• Participation – 20%
• Reading Discussion – 30%
• Assignment #1~5 – 50%

Assignments #1~5 will be graded within one week after the initial submission. After receiving the initial grade, you have a second opportunity to improve and re-submit them before the last day of class.

Grading Chart

Required Software

• p5 web editor account
• Visual Studio Code
• Github account

Course Schedule

Course and Institutional Policies

Attendance Policy

You may miss up to four classes and still pass this class. Note that 60 percent of the students' grade is given for work on in-class activities, and that these cannot be repeated except in extraordinary circumstances.

Participation Policy

You are expected to be attentive, ask questions, work alone and with a partner to complete your work.

Late Assignment and Missed Exam Policy

Labs and in-class activities will not be repeated except in extraordinary circumstances.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to abide by the Scripps College academic integrity code. You must submit work that is your own and which is original work for this class. Also, all sources must be documented. Omission of sources is considered plagiarism, even if it is an oversight and/or unintentional. All plagiarism will be reported to the department and Dean’s office for further action. For this course, collaboration is allowed in on lab activities and assignments IFF all contributions are documented.

Permissible cooperation should never involve one student having possession of a copy of all or part of work done by someone else, in any form (e.g. email, Word doc, Box file, Google sheet, or a hard copy). Also, assignments that have been previously submitted in another course may not be submitted for this course, and I discourage you from finding solutions on Stack Overflow or other online forums to paste into your notebooks.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Scripps students seeking to register to receive academic accommodations must contact Academic Resources and Services Staff (ARS) at ars@scrippscollege.edu to formalize accommodations. Students will be required to submit documentation and meet with a staff member before being approved for accommodations. Once ARS has authorized academic accommodations, a formal notification will be sent out.

A student’s home campus is responsible for establishing and providing accommodations. If you are not a Scripps student, you must contact your home institution to establish accommodations. Below is a list of coordinators on the other campuses:

• CMC - Julia Easley, julia.easley@claremontmckenna.edu
• Harvey Mudd – Deborah Kahn, dkahn@hmc.edu
• Pitzer- Gabriella Tempestoso, gabriella_tempestoso@pitzer.edu
• Pomona - Jan Collins-Eaglin, Jan.Collins-Eaglin@pomona.edu

Inclusivity Statement

This class is an example of Scripps College’s commitment to changing the norms in Computer Science. Creating this initiative at a liberal arts women's college is both a bold step towards correcting gender imbalance in this field.

Our community represents a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity.

Institutional Policies

Students are responsible for reviewing Scripps College’s policies on incomplete grades, sexual misconduct, adverse weather, as well as student evaluation of instruction, and days of special concern/religious holiday.