Syllabus
First
Year SEMINAR
”Conceptual Architecture: from
Habitats to Humanoids”
and
Concurrent COLLOQUIUM Series
(Fall,
2006)
Professor:
Dr. Joseph T. Wunderlich
Office: Nicarry 237
Phone: 361-1295
Email: wunderjt@etown.edu
Office Hours: http://users.etown.edu/w/wunderjt/schedules/Schedule
Card f06 joe w.htm
Seminar Course Description: Introduction to
conceptual design skills that can be used in many disciplines; with particular
emphasis on Engineering, the Arts, and the Physical and Natural Sciences. This
course begins with conceptual design basics including sketching and abstract
design. Particular attention will then be given to the human form. Topics on
“accommodating humans” will include architecture, urban design, and machine
ergonomics. Topics on “emulating humans” will include artificial humanoids and
machine intelligence. Both a semester research paper and a comprehensive design
portfolio are required. Ethical issues are also discussed.
Seminar Credits: Three (Letter graded)
Seminar Meeting Times and Places: Monday 5:20-6:20pm (NIC
125), Wednesday 3:30-5:00pm (H108)
Seminar Objectives:
·
Understanding,
accommodating, and emulating the human form
·
Abstract
thought and sketching
·
Basic
Architectural Design
·
Basic
Robotics and Machine Intelligence
·
Research,
writing, and presentation skills
·
Academic
and career planning
·
Ethics
Colloquium Course Description: Introduce
students to various aspects of college life. Focus on some aspect of the
college’s heritage and mission (specifically, peacemaking, social
justice, human rights, and service) within an international context.
Colloquium Credit: One (Pass/Fail)
Colloquium Meeting Times and Places: Wednesday 11:00-11:50am
(Chapel or H108)
Colloquium
Objectives:
·
Introduce first year students to Elizabethtown
as an academic community, using the college’s mission and identity statement as
a guide.
·
Challenge students to think about peacemaking,
human rights, and social justice in a global context
·
Experience varied cultural and learning
opportunities outside the classroom
·
Understand the distinctive emphases of
Elizabethtown College
·
Understand that a theme can be addressed from multiple
disciplinary perspectives
·
Become involved in student-led activities
·
Understand the goals of service-learning
·
Understand that planning for purposeful
life-work begins in the first year of college
Required Texts and Materials:
·
Gair, Angela (2001). Sketchbook Kit: With
Charcoal, Pencils, & Eraser. Chronicle Books; Bk & Acces edition.
(ISBN: 0811831493) with small sketch book to be used for field-notes and
preliminary sketches
·
Sketchbook Hunter Green cover 8 1/4 x 11.
Watson-Guptill Publications. 1990.
(ISBN: 0823005119) to be used
for “Design Portfolio”
·
“Key
for Writers.” Houghton Mifflin Company; 4th Spiral
edition, 2004 (ISBN: 0618437851)
·
Gerald Foster, "American
houses," Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. (ISBN: 0618387994)
Some
Required
·
Wunderlich, J.T. (2003). Defining the limits of
machine intelligence. In Proceedings of
IEEE SoutheastCon,
·
Wunderlich, J.T. (2004). Top-down vs. bottom-up
neurocomputer design. In Intelligent
Engineering Systems through Artificial Neural Networks, Proceedings of ANNIE
2004 International Conference, St. Louis, MO. H. Dagli (Ed.): Vol. 14. (pp.
855-866).
Supplemental
·
A number of relevant texts will be put on
reserve in the library
·
A variety of additional selected papers will be
given out in class
Grading:
·
10%
Attendance and participation (excused absences will require special
make-up work assignments)
·
10%
Semester research project proposal
·
25%
Semester research project and presentation
·
5% “Service” (if not completed, portfolio is
worth an additional 5% of class grade). Choose one of the following:
1.
Do something for “into the streets”
2.
Propose something (must be approved)
·
30%
Portfolio (this includes periodic unannounced review by professor –
i.e., procrastination will be penalized)
·
20% Final exam
COURSE GRADE:
(60-62)=D-, (63-67)=D, (68-69)=D+, (70-72)=C-, (73-77)=C,
(78-79)=C+, (80-82)=B-, (83-87)=B, (88-89)=B+, (90-92)=A-, (93-100)=A
(with
any fractional part rounded to the nearest integer)
Elizabethtown
"
Disabilities:
If you have a documented disability and need
reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet
course requirements, you must: (1) Contact the Director of Disability Services,
Shirley Deichert, in the Center of Student Success, BSC 288, (717) 361-1227, deichesa@etown.edu, and (2) Meet with the
instructor within two weeks of receiving a copy of the accommodation letter
from Disability Services to discuss your accommodation needs and their
implementation.
Semester
Research Project:
The topic should be related to conceptual design
of something that either accommodates or emulates humans.
PROPOSAL
Grading: letter graded
Due
Date: to be announced
Late Penalties: 10% per class period
FINAL PROJECT
Grading: letter graded
Due
Date: to be announced
Late
Penalties: 20% per class period, up until
last day of class
Groups of up to three people are allowed (and
encouraged). The oral proposal should take approximately five to seven minutes
(not including answering audience questions), and must contain visuals (using
any software or medium you wish or may be a preliminary exhibition of your
artwork). You must also list at least one book or peer-reviewed article
researched as part of your preliminary work. Some things to avoid in your
presentations:
·
More than 30 words per visual.
·
Reading directly from a script.
·
Poor contrast between text and background.
·
Too many sound effects (e.g., screeching car for
every bullet).
·
Too many slides for allotted time (e.g., more
than 3 slides per minute).
·
Speaking monotonically.
·
Never making eye contact with audience.
A good presentation:
o
Is as visual as possible. A picture is worth a thousand words; and an
equation or graph can be worth even more.
o
Often has an image on every page (e.g.,
clip-art, photo, animation, etc.) which is an abstraction of the subject matter
on the slide (i.e., invokes an idea).
o
Has a clear objective (e.g., to entertain, to
sell, to motivate, or to report findings).
o
Has a good
“opener” (e.g., an agenda, a quotation, a question, or a declaration)
o
Is organized clearly and logically (e.g., by
problem then solution; or by priorities – least-to-most or most-to-least).
o
Has the audience’s expectations understood
(e.g., provide meaning and/or motivation).
o
Minimizes unnecessary details
(i.e., don’t overwhelm audience with too much info).
o
Has good
transitions between main points (i.e., short, attention-getting)
o
Has a good
“closing” (i.e., summarizes main ideas, restates purpose of presentation)
o
Is flexible (i.e., can be modified on the fly if
questions are allowed during presentation)
On the project due-date, both written and oral
reports are due. The oral report must be done using either PowerPoint, a web
page created by you for the project, or exhibited artwork created by you (e.g.,
sculpture, architectural model, etc.). It should take approximately ten minutes
and contain an appropriate number of visuals. The written report must be in
two-column, single-spaced, 10-point font and must use the IEEE formatting
dictated by the paper: “Defining the limits of machine intelligence” by Dr.
Wunderlich (to be handed out in class, and electronically). Also, attach to
your paper the accompanying PowerPoint presentation printed six slides per page
(or screen shots of your web page presentation, or photographs of your
artwork). The paper should be 4 to 6
pages (2 to 3 pages if you create artwork) and include:
1) An abstract
(one or two paragraphs)
2) Miscellaneous
discussions of details (this depends on the type of project)
3) Conclusions
4) A bibliography
(i.e., a list of referenced material) – call it “References”
5) An appendix
containing schematics, manufacturers literature, etc.
COURSE OUTLINE
A.
Skeletal structure
1)
Joints
2)
Kinematics and “Degrees of Freedom”
B.
Muscular structure
1)
Function of each muscle
2)
Muscle combinations for specific motions
3)
Proprioception
A.
Sketching
B.
Abstraction
C.
Bubble Diagrams
D.
Perspective Drawing
A.
Architectural Concepts for Human Habitats
1)
Scale (AIA standards)
2)
Functional Evolution
3)
Forms and Shapes
4)
Balance and Symmetry
5)
Color
6)
Site Planning (and accommodating nature)
7)
Musical Analogies (e.g., rhythm, tempo, harmony,
timbre)
B.
Urban Design Concepts
1)
Nodes
2)
Paths
3)
Edges
4)
Districts
C.
Ergonomics
1)
Conceptual Design of Machines for Human Use
2)
Tools
3)
Transportation
A.
Artificial Humanoids (Emulating Human
Physiology)
1)
Biomechanics
2)
Senses
3)
Control Systems
B.
Artificial Brains
C.
“Bottom-up” Brain Models
D.
“Top-Down” Brain Models
E.
Neural Networks vs. Symbolic Artificial
Intelligence
F.
The following “Mental Abilities” will be
discussed by answering five simple questions:
·
What can humans do?
·
What can a simple insect do? (e.g., a spider)
·
What can a conventional computer do?
·
What can symbolic A.I. programming do?
·
What can Artificial Neural networks do?
G. Basic Animal Abilities: Acquire and retain knowledge, Solve problems, Motor coordination, Acquire energy, Protect self, Sensory processing, Real-time thought React instinctively, Anticipate, Predict, Communicate, Generalize, Associate, Recognition patterns, Robust under partial failure, Autonomous thought, Drive to reproduce, Stability, Repeatability, Predictability, Multitask
H. Complex Abilities: Abstraction, Intuition, Common sense, Manipulate tools, Heuristics, Inference, Hypothesis testing, Self-discipline, impulse-control, Ethical behavior, Selective awareness, Open to inspection, Emotions, Imagination, Creativity, Passion, Playfulness, Empathy, Leadership, Self-awareness, Awareness of mortality, Group psychology
I.
Ethical Issues involving Machine Intelligence
1)
Replacing Humans
2)
Aiding Humans
3)
Military Uses
In this order with all
assignments numbered. Also leave at least one semi-blank page between assignments
(for notes, etc.). Do
not type or cut-and-paste anything into the portfolio. All writing and drawing
must be in your own free hand (in
pencil or ink). Don’t remove any pages. Portfolios
will be graded on (1)
Organization & readability, (2) Complexity & detail, (3) Esthetics, (4)
Completeness, (5) Continuous progress throughout semester
1.
Sketch
of campus. Identify the most important buildings to you.
2.
Sketch
human stick-figure and label all joints with the appropriate “Degrees of
Freedom”
3.
Scaled
sketch of yourself (scale: 1 inch = 1 foot)
4.
Sketch
a human skeleton
5.
Sketch
and label all major human muscles
6.
Sketch
human stick figures and list muscles most used when (a) kicking a soccer ball,
(b) setting a volleyball, (c) proper-posture when working at a computer, (d) improper-posture when working at a
computer, (e) a person lifting a box, (f) a person hammering a nail in the
wall, (g) a person arresting a forward fall, and (h) an person arresting a backward fall.
7.
Draw
orthographic projections of a computer mouse (i.e.,
draw 3D cube around it then draw unfolded box).
8.
Sketch
the hallway of a campus building using one-point perspective (use entire page
and identify building)
9.
Draw a cube using two-point perspective with horizon halfway up the
cube (use entire page), and then sketch a campus building using two-point perspective (viewed
from corner of building). Use entire page and identify building.
10.
Sketch
a floor-plan and a perspective drawing of your dorm room with you in it.
11.
Sketch
a floor-plan of your living quarters when you are 90 years old. Also list
assumptions and detailed specifications on adjoining page.
12.
Create
a series of architectural sketches for your favorite architectural style
13.
Sketch
a robot for space exploration on a terrestrial planet (use entire page and
label all parts). Also list detailed specifications on adjoining page.
14.
Sketch
a humanoid robot for assisting the elderly (use entire page and label
all parts). Also list detailed specifications on adjoining page.
15.
Sketch
a robot carpenter (not necessarily humanoid). Use entire page and label all
parts. Also list detailed specifications on adjoining page.
16.
Sketch
a robot police officer (not necessarily humanoid). Use entire page and label
all parts. Also list detailed specifications on adjoining page.
17.
Sketch
a multipurpose humanoid robot (use entire page and label all parts).
Also list detailed specifications on adjoining page.
18.
Sketch
the concept of a “bottom-up” biologically-inspired neurocomputer design,
and a “top-down” psychologically-inspired neurocomputer design
All
answers (Except
for part C) must be put into your portfolio STARTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PORTFOLIO.
Your entire portfolio (including Final Exam) must be submitted at
A) Answer the following 5 point question on ethics. Write a 400 to 600 word essay titled “Balancing
Freedom and Responsibility” which compares, in your opinion, the most
important freedoms you have to the responsibilities that accompany them. You
must include reference to all of the following:
q
The
U.S. Constitution (http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.overview.html)
or the equivalent governing document(s) of the government of your citizenship.
q
The
Elizabethtown
q
One
of the following codes of ethics (i.e., the one most applicable to your future
profession):
·
Code of Ethics for the National
Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) http://www.nspe.org/ethics/eh1-code.asp
·
Code of Ethics for the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) http://www.ieee.org/portal/pages/about/whatis/code.html
·
Code of Ethics for the American
Institute of Architects (AIA) http://www.aia.org/SiteObjects/files/codeofethics.pdf
·
Code of Ethics for the National Education
Association (NEA) http://www.nea.org/aboutnea/code.html
·
Code of Conduct for the American
Psychological Association (APA) http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html
·
Principles of Medical Ethics for the
American Medical Association (AMA) http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2512.html
·
Code of Ethics for Investment Advisors by Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) http://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed/ia-2209.htm
·
Code of Ethics for the Society of
Professional Journalists (SPJ) http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
·
Code of Ethics for the Radio and Television
News Directors and Association (RTNDA) http://www.rtnda.org/ethics/coe.shtml
B) Select only three of the following questions to answer. Each
is worth 25 points. If you answer more than three, only the three lowest scores
will be counted (i.e., just answer three!):
1) Human Form and Architectural Ergonomics: Design a playroom for a
child. On a separate page (just one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Using
the “AIA” human body-data handed out
in class, create a profile for your child including age, gender, height, and
weight. Also assume your subject child is disabled and specify what the
disability is.
b)
Make
dimensioned and scaled (1 inch = 1 foot) stick-figure sketches of the
child standing (front-view), standing (side-view), standing (top-view), and
seated (side-view).
c)
Research
your child’s disability and create a list of “Vision Terms” for the child’s
playroom design. You may want to research the
d)
Sketch
a labeled and scaled (1/2 inch = 1 foot) floor plan of the playroom.
e)
List
detailed specifications of any special toys, rehab or OT equipment, or special
electronic devices for the child.
2) “Artistic”
Sketches of Human Form: Sketch the development of a human.
On a separate page (just one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Create
a high-quality
sketch of a two-month old baby crawling.
b)
Create
a high-quality sketch
of a two-year old baby walking for the first time.
c)
Create
a high-quality
sketch of a eight-year old playing a sport of your choosing.
d)
Create
a high-quality
sketch of a eighteen-year old receiving college diploma.
3) Architectural and Urban Design Analysis: (do
not do #4 if you choose this question) On a separate page (just
one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Sketch
the Milky Way galaxy and identify approximately where we live.
b)
Sketch
our solar system Sketch a map of the
c)
Sketch
a map of
d)
Sketch
a map of the town of
e)
Pick
a building on Campus and sketch an aerial view (“i.e., “Plan View”) of your
subject building. Show all immediately adjacent buildings.
f)
Use
“Lynch Analysis” to sketch the
interaction of your building with surrounding buildings.
g)
On
four separate pages, sketch each of the sides (i.e., “elevations”) of the
building. (no perspective necessary)
h)
List
all of the architectural terms given in lecture and next to each one discuss
how they apply to your subject building.
4) “Artistic”
Architectural Analysis Sketches: (do not do #3 if you
choose this question) On a separate page (just
one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Sketch
the Milky Way galaxy and identify approximately where we live.
b)
Sketch
our solar system
c)
Sketch
a high-quality
semi-detailed view of earth (including the
d)
Pick
a building on Campus and sketch a high-quality aerial perspective of
your subject building. Show all immediately adjacent buildings.
e)
On
four separate pages, sketch high-quality perspective drawings of each of the sides of
the building.
f)
Research
and discuss the architectural style(s) of this building.
5) Architectural Design: Design a home for you and your immediate
family in the future (assume you and your spouse are 30 years old, your
children are toddlers, and your animals are indoor/outdoor pets. On a separate
page (just one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Show
researched statistics on a region of the county that you would like to live
(include climate data, crime-rates, quality schools for children, and
opportunities for your occupation(s).
b)
Draw
a Site Plan of a hypothetical property that you would like to have and include
north arrow, trees, location of house, sunrises and sunsets for summer and
winter solstices, and any other features you think are important.
c)
Make
a list of Vision-Terms for the design of your house.
d)
Make
bubble diagrams for the floors of your house.
e)
Sketch
floor plans for your house.
f)
Choose
an architectural style(s) for your home
g)
Sketch
a picture of the front of your house (i.e. “Front Elevation Drawing”).
Perspective is not required, but would be nice.
6) Humanoid Body Replacement: (do not do #7 if you choose this question) Imagine that in 80 years
from now your body is failing but your mind is still fully functional. On a
separate page (just one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Using
the circle and square “DA Vinci Man”
method, sketch your present body to-scale (1 inch = 1 foot).
b)
Assume
in 80 years from now your head is surgically severed and your eyes and ears are
removed. Sketch using the circle and
square “DA Vinci Man” method (to-scale: 1 inch = 1 foot) robotic
replacements for all of your parts.
c)
Discuss
your means of locomotion.
d)
Discuss
your means of protection from natural elements (including, if you like,
repelling animal/human attacks)
e)
Discuss
each of your six senses (including “proprioception”) and how they have been
enhanced (or preserved).
f)
Discuss
your means of heating and cooling yourself (don’t forget that most of your head
is still biological)
g)
Discuss
your means of energy acquisition and synthesis (don’t forget that most of your
head will remain biological).
7) “Artistic Concepts”
of Humanoid Body Replacement: (do not do
#6 if you choose this question) Imagine that in 80 years from now your body
is failing but your mind is still fully functional. On a separate page (just
one page) for each, do the following:
a)
Create
a high-quality
sketch of your present body to-scale (1 inch = 1 foot) running.
b)
Research
and create high-quality
anatomical sketches of Human eyes, ears, nose, tongue and hand.
c)
Research
and create high-quality
sketches of detailed robotic replacement parts for human eyes, ears, nose,
tongue and hand.
d)
Assume
in 80 years from now your head is surgically severed and your eyes and ears are
removed. Assuming your body, eyes, and ears have been fitted with robotic
replacement parts, create a high-quality sketch of the “new-you”
running (or in motion by some other means of locomotion).
8) Brain Models and Emulation’s
Research the human biological brain and create
a labeled sketch of the major functional parts (a minimum of 10 separately
functioning parts).
a)
Research
and sketch a human neuron and discuss how it works.
b)
Discuss
what you believe to be the most
controversial of the “Human Mental Abilities” listed in Dr. Wunderlich’s
paper “Defining the Limits of Machine Intelligence” and discuss your
perspectives on the role of artificial system’s for emulating this ability in
the future.
c)
Research
publications on “Neurocomputers,” (including Dr. Wunderlich’s paper
“Top-Down vs. Bottom-up Neurocomputer Design”) and compare and contrast
the mechanics of biological vs. machine learning
(you may use up to three pages for this). Include citations in IEEE format with
references at the end of your discussion.
C) Do
not answer this question in your portfolio; email your answer to Dr. W. and
type the text of your answer into the body of the email instead of into a
separate attached document.
Answer the following 20 point question on Freshman Seminar Colloquiums (i.e., Wednesday at 11:00 activities).
1)
List
all of the FYS Wednesday at 11:00 colloquiums; and next to each one list
what you liked or disliked (for the ones you missed, you must survey someone
who attended)
2)
Discuss
what you think the intended collective-purpose of these colloquiums was.
3)
Discuss
what you think the intended collective-purpose of these colloquiums should be.
4)
Using
up to three pages, design a mostly-new colloquium experience.
PORTFOLIO AND FINAL EXAM MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED
Everything
below is information added after the beginning of the semester:
ASSIGNED SEMESTER PROJECT GROUPS, TITLES, AND RESEARCH
q
Proposals (including summary of
preliminary research) Groups #1 and #5 due October 9th; Groups
#3 an #4 due October 11th at 11:00am; Group #2 due October
18th at 3:30pm.
q
Final paper and presentation due
November 13th
GROUP #1 (“Medical”
students Ruby, Elton, and Jonathan)
Required
Research: Must include at least: (1) World history
of herbal remedies; (2) The role of the Food and Drug Administration; (3)
Eastern medical philosophies; (4) Acupuncture; (5) The influence of belief
systems on medical practice; (6) The influence of self-awareness and
proprioception.
Required
field assignment: Visit and interview someone in all medical areas of Hershey
Medical Center
GROUP #2 (“Architectural”
students Sarah, Bryan, and Gregory)
“How to
become an architect: undergraduate options, graduate schools, and
apprenticeships”
Required Research: Must include at least: (1) A comparison of Architecture vs.
Architectural Engineering; (2) A comparison of Architecture vs. Interior
Design; (3) An analysis of related Etown courses; (4) Rankings of graduate
architectural programs; (5) A survey of entrance requirements for graduate
architectural programs; (6) A summary of the role of the American Institute of
Architects {AIA}; (7) State licensing requirements for architects; (8) A
description of several architectural apprenticeships.
Two required field assignments: (1) Visit and interview a practicing
Architect, and (2) Visit and interview an Architecture professor..
GROUP #3 (“Child
Education” students Kara and Brett)
“The
physiology and psychology of coaching children”
Required
Research: Must include at least: (1) Growth
charts; (2) Injury statistics; (3) A comparison of various coaching strategies;
(4) AIA human dimension data; (5) An analysis of body “types” and age -- and
recommend best-fit sports for each.
Required
field assignment: Observe children being coached.
GROUP #4 (“Computer
Science and Engineering” students Amelia and Matthew)
“Computer
applications for architecture and structural design”
Required
Research: Must include at least: (1) A
discussion of various architectural design criteria; (2) A comparison of
structural analysis criteria for steel, reinforced concrete, and wood
structures; (3) A survey of software packages including prices and sample
visuals.
GROUP #5 (“Mixed
Interests” students Rebecca, Sara, and Maria)
“Collaborations
between the arts, sciences, humanities, and professional studies”
Recommended Research: Investigate perspectives
on music in all disciplines (e.g., survey all 19 Elizabethtown academic
departments)
ELABORATION
OF ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR ATHELETES:
1) The only automatically excused class time for athletes is
Mondays 5:20 to 6:20pm (unless attendance is requested via email by
Professor). However, these excused absences must be made up by completion
of special assignments.
2) All athletes are expected to attend the Wednesday 3:30 to
5:00pm class -- the only excused absences will be for departing to away games
that require early departure to travel a long distance. Otherwise, each missed
class will result in attendance penalties unless your coach sends me an email
explaining why you need to miss.
Minor modifications to portfolio
requirements:
1)
Portfolio item #7 now requires orthographic projections of a
computer mouse, and the two-point perspective of a box is now merged with portfolio
item #9.
2)
Portfolio grades will be enhanced by adding quality notes from
lectures and discussions – and points may be deducted if no notes are shown on
any assignments. All notes should be located near related portfolio
assignments.
New required text:
Gerald
Foster, "American houses," Houghton
Mifflin Company, 2004. (ISBN: 0618387994)
For Final Exam
part C, do not answer this question in your portfolio; email your answer to Dr.
W. and type the text of your answer into the body of the email instead of into
a separate attached document. This is so it can be shared with other faculty.
PORTFOLIO
AND FINAL EXAM MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED