Fall Term
Graduate Levels
4.580

Prof. Larry Sass - lsass@mit.edu

TA. Carolina M. R. S. Menezes (cmnzs@mit.edu)

Tuesdays: 9:30-12:30
Room 5-231

In this course, we explore the varied nature and practices of computation in design, in particular, how design meaning, intentions, and knowledge are developed and communicated through sensing, thinking, representing, understanding, and making computationally.

We consider the notion of computation broadly, including computation by machines and by hand. The goal is for students to develop a view of computation and design that extends beyond the specifics of tools and technical skills, and to gain a critical understanding of the history of ideas that have led to current work. The course introduces students to the academic research culture and its production. Skill-building focuses on learning various forms of academic writing.

The semester is structured weekly, with a reading to be completed before each week’s speaker and a homework assignment. Each week’s speaker will explore a particular computational design theme and may include a guest faculty speaker.

Prerequisites
None. This is a required subject for first-year SMArchS students in Computation. Other students are welcome, but enrollment will be limited to about 12 students.

Requirements and Grading

Class attendance and participation: 20%
Completion of weekly assignments and readings: 80%