H79.2772 Lecture 4 Credits
Instructor(s): Bdeir
This class is an experiment, part seminar part workshop, where we look at the relationship between technology and identity. We look at how the technologies we employ and consume — technologies of activism, surveillance, sexuality, and sustainability — subconsciously expose us and highlight the contrasts between cultures. Through surveys, outside lectures and projects, we question how our identity, ethnicity, and cultural footprint are reflected through our technology. We consider how emerging technologies and movements, like open source, genetics, sustainable design, hacking, and wearable computing are impacting our expressions of identity. In the second portion of the course, we focus on the intentional aspect of technology as identity. We survey the globe for noteworthy new media art pieces that deliberately express cultural identity. We pay particular attention to the contrast between North America and the Middle East, and possibly hold joint classes and collaborative projects with a design class at the American University of Beirut. The course requirements include three assignments and one final project. Through humor, students use physical computing and interactive design tools to produce objects or installations that address aspect(s) of their identity(ies).
