COURSE DESCRIPTION
What does it mean to be a cyborg in a screen-based society? How do we embody technology and how can wearable technologies influence our perceptions of space and experience? This is an advanced course, which provides an introduction to wearables as well as electronics. Artists, preexisting wearable projects and critical theory about embodiment and cyborgs will be covered. Coding is a prerequisite for this course, as only some Arduino IDE-specific coding syntax is covered. Students will learn basic circuitry, soldering and testing, connections between hard and soft circuits, various sensors and sensor creation, materials for wearable applications and some of their advantages and limitations, various microcontrollers, as well as other electronics and garment construction considerations. There will be three exercises, three major projects, and readings.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students will work on a series of exercises and projects to gain an understanding of the principles associated with interactive electronics and wearables. Upon completing the class students should feel comfortable with the following:
1. Analyzing potential projects and creating user centered solutions with clear goals and outcomes.
2. Identifying and utilizing effective structures and resources for creating interactive projects.
3. Creating compelling interaction and interfaces that respond to the needs of the established users
4. Creating objects that are flexible and wearable by users
5. Problem solve and develop solutions to rudimentary electronics-based tasks.
6. Developing and/or honing critical concepts

SCHEDULE
Week 1: Arduino interface and coding basics, overview of Lilypad and various components
Exercise 1: Use two of the protosnap sensors
Week 2: Basic circuits, I=V/R, basic hand sewing techniques; Artists/wearables examples
Project 1: Sew a soft circuit with LEDs and snaps, no microcontrollers. Use at least 2 types of stitches.
Week 3: Integrating LEDs and other thru-hole components, sewing with conductive thread, machine sewing.
Week 4: Work on Project 1, critique
Project 2: Create a soft, wearable object. What does it mean to have electronics attached to you? How does it attach and what is its purpose? Does the object make interaction easier or more difficult? It must get its power from a battery, it may not be a pre-made object, soft circuits are used, at least one sensor, and at least one mode of output.
Week 5: insulators, timers in code, sensors, switches
Exercise 2: Make a pressure sensor that controls an output (light, sound).
Week 6: soldering, breadboards/protoboards and testing circuits, connections
Exercise 3: Complete soldering practice badge.
Week 7: in progress critique for project 2, Artists/wearables examples, cyborg theory
Week 8: Break
Week 9: resistors, wire, power and ground, wire connectors, voltage dividers
Week 10: Work on Project 2, critique, embodiment theory
Final Project: Make a full wearable. What does it mean to be a cyborg? It must use battery power and have a strong critical concept. The scope of the project must reflect that it is a large percentage of your grade. Post your project to Instructables.com.
Week 11: capacitive sensing, teensy platform, batteries and power options
Week 12: Review final project ideas and progress. Review any project specific concepts.
Week 13: in progress critique for final project
Week 14: Work on Final; circuit bee: group troubleshooting
Week 15: Final Project and critique.