Graduate Seminar / Supervised Readings
SIP 825S Doctoral / SIP 637X Masters
Prof. Sha Xin Wei ¥ http://topologicalmedialab.net/xinwei
This is a readings-based seminar on the foundations of art research and on the critical studies of media arts and sciences. It is intended for faculty as well as doctoral students who are affiliated with the Topological Media Lab and are working with the faculty director of the TML. Topics and readings will vary according to the semester and individual participants' interests. Broadly they include gesture, agency, and materiality from phenomenological as well as technical perspectives, with ethico-aesthetic implications.
This seminar will be oriented to scholarly colleagues as well as PhD and MFA students. We will read and discuss a small number of substantial works in as much depth as we find fruitful. At the end of every semester, we will propose a bundle of readings or themes as the focus for the subsequent seminar.
This summer, several possible readings are proposed on the theme of morphogenesis:
The most agreeable may be Alexander volume 3, which describes his many building projects and working processes. However we'll bravely march into Petitot's essay from Naturalizing Phenomenology.
A reading group can meet Wednesdays over lunch, 12:30-2:00. Advanced, veteran doctoral students may choose to do individual readings.
This 3 credit seminar will typically be offered every semester: Fall, Winter, and sometimes Summer.
Students from programs other than the SIP should check with their home programs that they can take this course for credit. Faculty of Fine Arts MFA students may receive seminar credit for this course with permission of the MFA seminar office.
Students who make satisfactory progress in their graduate program and in this seminar, may repeat this course for credit with permission of the professor and relevant offices.
Readings will be selected from the associated list of references. You may suggest other relevant readings and present them after discussing them ahead of time with me.