DTC 338 - Generative AI

Syllabus

DTC 338: Generative AI

Course Rationale

This course invites students to explore creative relationships between humans and generative AI tools through a practice of thoughtful, critical, and embodied making. Drawing from media theory, speculative design, and the arts, we investigate how tools like LLMs and diffusion models challenge traditional notions of creativity, authorship, and human uniqueness.

Students will develop projects that slow down fast workflows, incorporating analog practices such as handwriting, drawing, photography, and journaling, which are later translated, processed, and rewritten through AI collaborations. The emphasis is on iteration, process, and uncovering the deeply human dimensions of generative workflows.

Learning Goals

Required 
Course Activities University 
Learning Goals University 
Learning Objectives CMDC 
Goals & Objectives
1. Human–AI Dialogue/Multimodal Essay-Fiction Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1) Communication (ULG4) Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form. Goal 1: Demonstrate competency with computers for designing, distributing, retrieving, and preserving digital works in various mediums for humane and effective human-computer interactions Goal 2: Synthesize media forms for multimedia contexts Goal 3: Employ the principles of visual form for sophisticated image manipulation
2. Speculative World‑Building Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1) Communication (ULG4) Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (ULG2) Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form. Understand and apply quantitative, symbolic and computational principles and methods in the solution of problems Goal 7 Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring
3. Collaborative Online Exhibition Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1) Communication (ULG4) Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (ULG2) Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form. Understand and apply quantitative, symbolic and computational principles and methods in the solution of problems Goal 7 Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring
4. Final Creative Artifact + Reflection Critical and Creative Thinking (ULG1) Information Literacy (ULG2) Communication (ULG4) Depth, Breadth, and Integration of Learning (ULG7) Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. Determine the extent and type of information needed. Express concepts propositions, and beliefs in coherent, concise, and technically correct form.By applying the concepts of the general and specialized studies to personal, academic, service learning, professional, and/or community activities. Goal 7 Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring Goal 5 Know the basics of information architecture and knowledge management along with ways digital information can be structured for retrieval and archival purposes for different audiences

Online tools 

Required Materials

COURSE POINT-EARNING POTENTIALS

Attendance Policy

Two absences are allowed. Each additional absence deducts 5 points. It is your responsibility to make sure I check your attendance if you arrive after the start of class. Frequent late arrivals, leaving early, or other forms of lack of attendance will also deduct points from the cumulative total. Participation in discussion and critique is essential.

Both attendance and participation will be monitored and deficiencies in either/both will result in lower final grades. Participation means being attentive in class, joining in discussions, engaging in informal critiques and completing all in-class and outside assignments.

It is your responsibility to make sure I check your attendance if you come to class after the start of class. Frequent late arrivals, leaving early, or other forms of lack of attendance will also deduct points from the cumulative total. Absent students remain responsible for all course matters during their absence(s). Opportunities to make up missed work may not be available. Final grades are determined from the cumulative points earned, plus or minus any deductions or additions for attendance or participation. No curving, averaging, or other manipulations are utilized. No other assessment or extra credit opportunities are planned. Incompletes are not available.

Final grades are based on the following scale:

A 94-100
A- 90-93
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D *
F 0-69
*Notice that the grade of "D" is not offered; it reverts to "F."

Submission of Late Work

All work must be submitted as and when required. Late work may not be accepted, or accepted with a substantial penalty. Email submissions of work or work submitted “under the door” or “in the mailbox” will not be accepted. No excuses, no exceptions.

Schedule & Project Due Dates

Week Date Topic Assignment / Project Due
1Aug 18Introduction: Humans + MachinesChatGPT for dictating and elabortating on Journal entries with chats
2Aug 25Language + Intelligence-
3Sept 8Machine Simulations-
4Sept 15Posthuman Identities-
5Sept 22Generative WritingHuman–AI Dialogue (10%)
6Sept 29Generative Imaging-
7Oct 6Generative Cinema-
8Oct 13Workshop: World Projects-
9Oct 20Generatve Coding-
10Oct 27Generatve SoundProject 2: Speculative World‑Building (15%)
11Nov 3AI Arts & AestheticsProject 3: Multimodal Essay-Fiction
12Nov 10AI Arts & Aesthetics-
13Nov 17Workshop: Group ExhibitionProject 4: Collaborative Online Exhibition (15%)
14Dec 1Group Presentations + Final ReflectionsProject 5: Final Creative Artifact + Reflection (25%)

AI Use Policy

Students are encouraged to use AI tools to amplify their strengths and enhance their learning. AI can be a valuable resource for:

However, in this course, ideas and approaches will begin with you. Much of the creative process will be spent in discussion, journaling, and workshopping in and out of class. These steps are designed to slow the process down and help you develop a clear perspective and direction before you turn to AI tools.

AI should be used as a support for thinking — not a shortcut to bypass it.

AI tools — including those for generative media — are powerful learning partners, but they cannot replace the slower, deeper process of design thinking, workshopping, and evolving your own ideas in dialogue with others.



University Syllabus Link

https://syllabus.wsu.edu/university-syllabus/

Note: This syllabus is subject to change and will be updated on Slack and course site.