MDEP 234: Creative Code

Sam Heckle Spring 2026 MDEP 234 Mon 2:30pm - 5:15pm

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Overview

This course explores the expressive potential of computer programming in media production and provides a theoretical framework for interdisciplinary artistic practices that use generative systems in their creation including drawing, poetry, music, and video production.

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Statement on Technology

We pledge to center creative and ethical uses of technology in our research, teaching, and making. We accept the claim that technology is a reflection of society, its histories, and its politics. We reject the claim that technology is neutral and acknowledge that every technology has the potential to do as much harm as good. We acknowledge that when technologies cause harm, the harm disproportionately affects Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), queer, trans, disabled, femme, low-income, survivors, and all other marginalized bodies and communities worldwide.

With this understanding, it is our responsibility to center these groups when hosting, participating in, or developing events (e.g. workshops or meetings), materials (e.g. courses, syllabi, resources), technologies (software, hardware, tools, etc) and creative applications made within this classroom (e.g. works of art, products, installations, experiments, etc).

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Expectations and Class Manifesto

1. Be curious!

• what questions are you asking?

• what do you not know?

• how can you find those answers?

• exploring the p5.js reference is a great past time

1. Practice!

• learning to code takes time!
• you will have to do a lot of work outside of class to understand what is going on in the context of your own projects

1. Low Stress NOT Low Effort

• did you learn something new? write it in your documentation!
• did you struggle? write it in your documentation!
• did you accomplish what you wanted? write it in your documentation!
• if you made a solid attempt and wrote documentation (via a discussion post) you get full credit!

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Class Format

Broadly – this is similar to a math class.

You will be taught in class:

• syntax of how the coding language works
• application of how to use the coding language in a broad sense

Outside of class:

• practice the syntax
• contextualize the content in your own projects

A typical week structure might look like:

1. Review previous week’s assignment and questions
2. Introduce new content
3. Practice new content in class

• You should be following along the demos!

1. Apply new content in upcoming assignment

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Goals

1. Have a foundational understanding of Javascript through the p5.js library
2. Insight into how digital machinery operates and mediates socio-cultural patterns of life today
3. Understand specific software elements to manipulate data, such as variables and data structures
4. Create modular and repeatable code
5. Invent interactive works of art through the use of computer programming
6. Think critically to engage with the software around us.

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Course Requirements

| Grading | | | —–– | | | Attendance and Participation | 20% | | Practice and Readings | 10% | | Projects | 20% | | Midterm | 20% | | Final | 30% |

Rubrics

Every assignment will have an associated rubric for grading. You can view this rubric in Brightspace by clicking on the assignment discussion post and "View Rubric".

Responsibility

Students are responsible for all assignments, even if they are absent. Late discussion posts, failure to complete assignments, and lack of preparedness will jeopardize your successful completion of this course. Please regularly check your email for class announcements, GitHub for class materials and notes, and Brightspace for assignment due dates and submissions.

Attendance and Participation

Students are required to follow along with in-class demos and submit their work at the end of class for participation credit. These will count as your participation for the day. If you do not have your camera on, or you are not present in class to follow along with the in-class demos, you will not receive full participation.

There are no excused and unexcused absences. You are able to miss 3 classes before it starts impacting your grade. Two late attendances (meaning more than 5 minutes late) will result in an absence. If you miss a class, you are welcome to book office hours to make up for your missed participation for the day.

Late Assignments

Any work is considered late if it is submitted after the due date posted on Brightspace. For every day the work is late, the student will receive a 10 % penalty. You are not allowed to resubmit late work for an updated grade.

Extension Policy

Extensions are admitted on an as-needed basis, as long as the student informs the instructor more that 24-hours before the assignment is due. There are absolutely no extensions on the midterm or the final.

Re-submission Policy

The instructor may request a student to resubmit assignments for full-credit. Please review your grades regularly to see if an assignment is requests to be submitted again and review feedback about specific changes to be made. Any resubmissions are due before the last class.

Extra Credit

Extra credit will be offered on a rolling basis. Please see the related discussion post.

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Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools:

For the first 7 weeks of this course I would highly encourage you to to avoid using AI or any external tools (other than the p5 reference) in this class. We will cover effective use cases later in the semester, but you will find you can go much further executing your ideas when you have a solid understanding of the core coding techniques.

With this in mind:

• You MAY use AI in the initial stages of research, idea generation, and drafting.
• You MAY use AI for language translation.
• However, you MAY NOT not rely on AI output for significant portions of your final project form unless it is a necessary part of your project concept.
• If you use AI at any stage in the creation of your project (including initial stages, idea generation, drafting, language translation, and final form), you must properly cite and disclose this use. This should include details on the specific tool and version used, as well as the nature of your usage (for example, in programming code, images, and/or text/writing).
• Citation should reference both the platform and any creator (“style of”) names or references.
• Please follow this citation guide
• If you fail to disclose the use of AI, you will receive a 0 on the assignment.

Required Materials

Please bookmark these links:

1. sign up for a free account on the p5 editor
2. p5 reference

As the class is on zoom, it is suggested to have access to a second monitor to be able to follow along more easily with the class demos.

Recommended Materials I highly encourage searching for extra resources online, as long as you cite your sources in your documentation. Some places I encourage you to look at:

1. The Nature of Code: a free online book written by Dan Shiffman exploring different physics applications in p5.js
2. The Coding Train: A free resource to learn p5.js, created by Dan Shiffman. I will link these videos weekly so you can get a refresher on the materials.
3. Patt Vira
4. xin xin
5. My Coding Show
6. Qtv Creative Coding Tutorials in Chinese | also on bilibili
7. HappyCoding.io

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| Schedule | | | –––– | | | 1/26 | Syllabus Overview, Class Expectations, Introductions | | 2/2 | Data Storage with Variables | | 2/9 | Interaction with Conditionals | | 2/16 | No class, college closed | | 2/23 | Code Organization pt. 1 (Functions) | | 3/2 | Repetition (Loops) | | 3/9 | Code Organization pt. 2 (Arrays) | | 3/16 | Midterm Project Presentations | | 3/23 | Sound | | 3/30 | Code Organization pt. 3 (Objects & Classes) | | 4/6 | No class, spring break | | 4/13 | The Greater Web (HTML/CSS, DOM) | | 4/20 | Manipulating Text | | 4/27 | External Libraries (Video, BlazePose) | | 5/4 | Final Project 1:1s | | 5/11 | Final Project Check-ins & Group Feedback | | 5/18 | Final Project Presentations last day for resubmissions and extra credit |

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University Policies

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a guiding principle of the Hunter College learning community because all students should have the opportunity to learn and perform on a level playing field. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, obtaining an unfair advantage, and falsifying records or documents, whether intentional or not.

Hunter College upholds the right to promote academic integrity on its campus as an educational institution of the City University of New York. The College has the responsibility to review all charges of academic dishonesty and implement sanctions, including, but not limited to, failing the course, official transcript notation, suspension or expulsion from the College when it has been determined that academic dishonesty did occur. Please click here to see a full list of disciplinary sanctions.

Accessibility

In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical, and/or Learning) consult the Office of Accessibility located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance, please call (212) 772-4857/TTY (212) 650-3230. If you have registered with the Office of Accessibility, please let me know at the start of the term.

Hunter College Policy on Sexual Misconduct

In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment, retaliation against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College. Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct or contacting the College’s Public Safety Office (212-772-4444). All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact the College’s Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose (jtrose@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry (colleen.barry@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123. CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct. Link: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/diversityandcompliance/repository/files/cuny-policy-on-sexual-misconduct.pdf

Film and Media listserv

The department maintains a listserv, fm-l, that posts opportunities, including internships and events, for students. Subscribe here.

Rockowitz Writing Center:

The Rockowitz Writing Center offers students help with their writing at every stage of the writing process. You can make an appointment for a live video session at: hunter.mywconline.com.

Counseling and Wellness Services:

Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS) is another campus resource and service center for all matriculated students that is operating remotely for counseling services at no cost to all Hunter students. You can make an appointment at: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/counseling-and-wellness.

Immigrant Student Success Center

The Immigrant Student Success Center advocates for our undocumented and immigrant students at Hunter College. The Center aims to foster a safe, empowering, and community of belonging to all students, regardless of status, through informative resources, advising, programming, scholarships, and advocacy. https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/students/student-affairs/immigrant-student-success-center/

Other Emergency Resources for Students

There are a variety of supports available, including the Purple Apron Food Pantry. https://www.hunter.cuny.edu/students/health-wellness/emergency-support-resources/

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Acknowledgements

• Duncan Figurski
• Blair Simmons - for her mediation and community praxis.
• Allison Parrish - a wonderful mentor and educator inspire. much of the pacing and technical tutorial-ing comes from her work.
• Mimi Yin - area head of computational media at NYU ITP, creating the foundational cirriculum in which this class was built from. in conjunction with
• Dan Shiffman - p5 extraordinaire.