Machine Learning
Paul Feigelfeld
Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art, Media Theory
2024S, scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S05080
Description
The seminar explores the paradigms, politics, prophecies, prognoses, permutations, predictions, productions, paranoias, patterns, performances, and punks of Machine Learning and its emo child, Artificial Intelligence.
The aim of the seminar is to develop a thorough understanding of the technological constellations of the field of Machine Learning, its historical developments, and political, social, ecological, and cultural implications.
Every other week, participants can take a practical course in Python coding basics for ML fundamentals, led by Andrea Klaura, which can be found here Hands on Machine Learning. While it is not a formal requirement to also attend this other course, we highly recommend to jointly attend both of those two courses.
During the opening session, we will disassemble and anatomize a computer, reassemble it into an open machine and make it our non-human companion for the rest of the term.
Each block consists of an introductory lecture and the reading and discussion of a scientific/technical text on AI/ML and a critical/discursive text.
On three occasions, artists working with Machine Learning will hold online guest lectures. Confirmed so far are Constant Dullaart and Jenna Sutela.
Examination Modalities
Examination Modalities
Active Participation (30%): At the core of this course lies the joint discussion of the texts, and therefore your presence and involvement are required. The class activity will center on close readings of texts and debates around the arguments forwarded in them. In order to facilitate productive in-class discussions between, you are asked to read and work through the assigned texts beforehand.
Research/Reflection Paper (70%): Students will be responsible for a final research paper due at the end of the term (for deadlines see the outline). The research paper should be similar in scope and format to a scholarly conference paper (ca. 20.000 characters, including spaces and footnotes, but excluding appendices, references, or figures) based on at least three references from the seminar literature as well as at least three external references (you can, of course, also use more references). In case students are also attending the course Hands on Machine Learning, they can alternatively write a shorter reflection paper (10.000 characters) on their final projects (for details see the course description).
Comments
Required readings as well as a detailed course outline will be made available via the cloud. The working language will be English. Research/Reflection papers can be submitted in English and German.
Key Words
Medientheorie, Media Theory, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Python, Mediengeschichte, Media History, media art
Dates
11 March 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "The Apes and the Monolith: Joint kick-off with VU Hands on Machine Learning, (dis-)assembly of the open non-human companion"
18 March 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "Intelligence is always artificial: Histories of an Idea of Thinking Deep Shit: Paradigms, Politics, and Paranoia of Machine Learning."
08 April 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "Introductory lecture: Deep Shit: Paradigms, Politics and Paranoia of Infrastructural Intelligence. Guest lecture: Tega Brain"
15 April 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "Atlas Drugged: Alien(ated) Labour and Logistics. Followed by a guest lecture by Jenna Sutela."
29 April 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "Space and Race. Decolonizing Technologies."
13 May 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "Deus ex China: Transcultural Genealogies."
27 May 2024, 14:15–18:15 Seminar room 35 , "This is the End, open non-human friend. Followed by a guest lecture by Constant Dullaart."
Course Enrolment
From 05 February 2024, 00:00
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (additional subject): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80
Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (additional subject): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Digital Transformation 162/040.10
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Media Transformation 162/040.50
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Media Theory 537/080.20
Stage Design (2. Section): Medientechnik: Geschichte, Theorie und Ästhetik von Film und Medienkunst 542/206.01
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 566/208.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 567/208.02
Studies in Art and Culture (Master): Electives Area 1: Media Theory 568/005.06
Studies in Art and Culture (Master): Electives Area 2: Media Theory 568/006.11
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/020.02
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Media Theory and Semiotics 576/203.05
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Media Theory and Semiotics 577/203.05
Conservation and Restoration (2. Section): Geisteswissenschaften: Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte 588/204.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design 605/202.02
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/002.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible