SII199Y: Computational Reality, Illusion and Deception

Course Information Sheet

Last updated: 16 September, 2010
To course main page.

Course Particulars

Lecture Date, Time, Location: Wednesdays, 11:00am - 1:00pm, McLennan Physics Building, Room 118
Tutorial Date, Time, Location: Mondays, 12:00pm, MP118
Office Hours: To be determined (send me e-mail)
Instructor: Eugene Fiume
Teaching Assistant: Christian Lessig

Course Description

Can you believe what you see? The art and science of computer graphics is reaching the point where we cannot distinguish between real and synthetic (i.e., computer generated) imagery. This will have a profound impact on society in the future as computer graphics pervades all walks of life. What kind of society will we have when we cannot distinguish real from imaginary? Should we be concerned about the fact that this technology will be exploited for less than altruistic ends? Or should we just chill and watch The Matrix? This course will explore the art, science and technology of computer graphics, past and present. We will look at the areas in which computer assisted image creation is being employed. We will then look into the future, make some predictions on where it is going, and think about its consequences. Will we be saved because we cannot cross the uncanny valley?

Course Textbook or other Required Resource Material

There is no official course textbook. I will draw your attention to various readings throughout the course that generally will be available on the web.

Short Bibliography

The literature is huge, but some sample books related to our course include: I will be expanding this shortly.

Because this is very much an open-ended course, I would be interested in hearing from you regarding works that are relevant to the topics we shall discuss.

In addition to needing Internet access, you may also require access to a DVD or video tape player, and you may on occasion need to rent or borrow copies of films or videos for study.

Instructor Information

Eugene Fiume
Department of Computer Science
University of Toronto
Toronto , Ontario
Canada
M5S 3G4

elf at dgp dot toronto dot edu (e-mail is the best way to reach me ... apologies for the anti-spam e-mail address)
(+1) 416 978-5472


TA Information

Christian Lessig
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 3G4
CANADA

lessig at dgp dot toronto dot edu


Marking Scheme

This is not a "normal" computer science course and as such it has a different kind of marking scheme. The course will have considerable discussion, research and writing expectations. There will be 6-7 assignments worth 70% of your grade, one project worth 20% and a grade for class participation worth 10%. There is no final exam, and one or two of the assignments may turn into group presentations. The table below gives a provisional work schedule and marking scheme based on 7 assignments. If we move to 6 assignments, their weight will still be spread equally across the overall 70% weight, and the due dates may be adjusted. I stress that the assignments are research oriented (meaning you will have to look things up yourself) and will often require essay-style answers.

The assignments web page is here. Individual assignments that are available can be clicked on in the table below.

Work Due Weight
Assignment 1 11 October 2010 10%
Assignment 2 8 November 2010 10%
Assignment 3 6 December 2010 10%
Assignment 4 14 January 2011 10%
Assignment 5 14 Februrary 2011 10%
Assignment 6 14 March 2011 10%
Assignment 7 16 March 2011 10%
Project 7 April 2011 20%
Class Participation all year 10%


Your written work is due, meaning it must have been submitted electronically to the TA, by midnight of the due date. The late policy is:
  1. 10% off for the first calendar day it is submitted late.
  2. An additional 20% off for the second calendar day it is late (30% total).
  3. An additional 30% off for the third calendar day it is late (60% total).
  4. An additional 40% off for the fourth calendar day it is late (100% total).
...in other words, don't be late unless you have a very good reason!

Computer Accounts

Everyone successfully enrolled in this class will get a computer login on the Linux-based network of machines operated, and collectively known as, Computing Disciplines Facility, or CDF (see the CDF Welcome page). Some may already know what your logins are. You can always ask me, but the easiest way is to do it online by going to the CDF webfinger, which allows you to search for your login. The form of your login will be c7LLLLLL, where "LLLLLL" is the first letters of your student card.

You won't be doing any programming in this course (unless you want to do it in your project), but you will need regular access to the Internet to look up articles and do research. Also, we are setting up a discussion page that will require your CDF login for access.

Undergraduate Announcements

Please consult the Undergraduate Announcements page regularly. You'll get the scoop on lots of things relevant to Computer Science undergraduates.

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to stimulate thinking into the complex relationships among science, art, technology, culture and society. Rather than discuss these issues in the abstract, we will look at these issues from the perspective on one particularly influential medium, namely the creation and manipulation of digital imagery. In so doing, I expect you to develop a deeper appreciation in the following topics.

Science and Technology

  1. The basic concepts, tools and workflow of computer graphics.
  2. The fundamental science underlying computer graphics.
  3. The broad range of applications and potential of computer graphics.
  4. The ways in which computer graphics can be used (and abused) and combined with other technologies.

Philosophy, Society and Culture

  1. Our capacity for illusion and delusion, some examples of them, and some possible explanations for them.
  2. The aesthetics of computational depiction.
  3. The "ontology" of computer graphics.
  4. The attendant need to be cautious, prudent and skeptical of computer graphics technology (or any disruptive technology).