The course has the form of seminar sessions with presentations and discussions on key aspects of digital aesthetics. The seminar sessions alter between lectures, student presentations, group work, and critical discussions. Students present selected texts and examples, from which key aesthetic perspectives are identified and discussed.

In the first 8 - 10 weeks the course reading is presented and discussed, and the participants will through exercises be able to direct focus towards topics of their interest. Midway the students form groups and deliver a draft synopsis on their exam project. In the last 4 – 5 weeks the students engage in project development, peer critique and supervision.

This course is expected to develop a 7.5 ECTS project, which is a quarter of the study time. The expected study time is therefore 9 hours a week, four hour scheduled teaching activities and five hours preparation, reading, project development and writing. 

All students work in groups.

During this course students will be required to hand in mandatory assignments (e.g. attendance, papers, exercises, presentations, productions), that need to be completed/approved before being eligible to register for the examination and e.g. being allowed to submit written work for examination. Failure to hand in these mandatory assignments on time will mean that the registration for examination is annulled.
These mandatory assignments are:

: : Each group delivers a synopsis of an individual research project mid-way in the course.

The synopsis consists of 2 pages, which identify the theme of investigation, outline the intended content, and propose a strategy for the project research. Context of the intended research is suggested with a list of references of artworks, products, and theoretical underpinning.(Deadlines are posted separately, e.g. on the course blog)

The students participate in peer critique processes, present their work in progress, and engage in critical discussions.


Exam form:

External examiner, 7-point marking scale, C1: Written work without oral exam.

Each student group submits a group report, which discusses and reflects on the project and group process.

Additionally each student submits an individual essay of 6 pages. The essay should develop an individual critical discussion, but can use the group report for reference.

Each student delivers their written essay and the group report in print at the exam office, attached with a DVD with linked media and pdf versions of the essay and group report.

The exam is based on the extent to which the essay meets the course goals.

The Harvard system is used for referencing etc.

Submission/completion of mandatory activities before Friday 2. December 2011 at 15:00.