Associate Professor in the Division of Literature, Communication, and the Arts. oTeaches: Public Speaking and Media Performance, Social Documentary, Film and Television Analysis, Documentary Production, Visual Journalism, Media Economics and Management, and Theater for Social Change. Documentary filmmaker and theater artist. Phone: 15858574885 Address: 330 Warrington Dr 3690 East Ave.
In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these ... more In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these opportunities to engage with Doctor Who, has it become too easy to be a fan of the programme? A similar question arises in discussions about online activism. Slacktivism refers to the actions by social media activists whose so-called humanitarian actions ultimately require little effort. Such behaviours include liking a Facebook page sponsored by a non-profit or singing an online petition. this may lead to satisfaction for the individual, but ultimately requires no significant commitment or sacrifice and offers questionable value. The same accusations can be made towards twenty-first-century fandom. If the barriers to becoming a fan have fallen, what is the real difference between a fan and a typical viewer
Professors across various disciplines in the liberal arts increasingly find themselves incorporat... more Professors across various disciplines in the liberal arts increasingly find themselves incorporating programming into their classes. Examples include media professors teaching web design and video game development, art professors teaching Processing, and statistics and political science professors teaching R. In order to help meet the professional development needs of this group, an online publication published in late fall 2018 covers both the general trends related to coding across the liberal arts disciplines, as well as specific pedagogical strategies and assignments related primarily to media production. Specifically, the chapters are: 1) an overview of the use of coding within media departments nationwide; 2) a literature review and analysis of coding pedagogical discourse as it relates to the liberal arts; 3) a discussion of why journalism and media students need to know coding; and six case studies: 4) mobile app creation; 5) p5.js; 6) HTML/CSS 7) interactive documentaries; 8) data visualizations; 9) video games. This book takes an innovative trajectory by never being entirely complete. Authors may submit additional chapters for consideration at anytime with the goal of creating a large repository of coding pedagogy strategies for professors teaching programming outside of traditional Computer Science (and hopefully, Computer Science professors may find this source useful as well). This poster showcases some of the content of the online publication and invites new authors to consider submitting-after discussion with the editor who will be available at the poster session.
In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: Interactive documentaries offer... more In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: Interactive documentaries offer the opportunity to integrate the traditional media form of film/video with coding and other skills related to new media production, including usability analysis and information architecture. Interactive media production is dependent on not only technical skills, but also design and storytelling; an effective website designed for a company or non-profit not only conveys information but also weaves together a narrative about the organization. Given this overlap between storytelling and new media texts, introducing interactive documentaries into the new media classroom is an effective pedagogical approach. It provides media students with the opportunity to take video skills possibly learned in another class—although my version below doesn’t assume that—and apply them to the new media environment, introducing the important concept that content can be divorced from a particular medium and distributed through a variety of platforms. This paper will describe how the process and requirements of creating an interactive documentary can be used to structure an intermediate web design course
In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming ... more In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming into the curriculum outside of Computer Science departments has become increasingly common in colleges and universities. Faculty doing this important work must help non-technical students achieve success with coding assignments, and determine what level of instruction is appropriate for a given class. This online book will hopefully address issues relevant to anyone teaching programming, but takes as its specific focus the curriculum of communication programs, including but not limited to film, information science, and interactive media—any degree that includes the creation of media messages for the web or other interactive medium (e.g., mobile apps, software) or the use of code to expand the effectiveness of traditional media (e.g., data journalism)
Queerness has always been integral to Doctor Who, insofar as the series has mostly eschewed heter... more Queerness has always been integral to Doctor Who, insofar as the series has mostly eschewed heteronormative romantic relationships from its premier in 1963. The main character is an alien and a Time Lord and possesses the ability to regenerate as a response to illness, injury, or old age. This addition of this ability was a necessary solution after the first actor playing the Doctor, William Hartnell, was forced to leave the series due to chronic illness while the show maintained its popularity. This embodied fluidity informs a queer perspective that endures throughout the show’s history.
2012 IEEE International Games Innovation Conference, Sep 1, 2012
Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, vi... more Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, virtual worlds, and games may be used to improve social and language skills. These tools may be combined with the DIR/Floortime therapeutic model that encourages parents, teachers, and therapists to engage these children through their own (sometimes limited) interests. Applying this framework, this paper suggests the creation of a workshop modeled after the Computer Clubhouse, as developed at the Massachusetts Institute of ...
Cutting-edge technologies in higher education, Jan 13, 2011
Abstract: Social media and their changing nature present compelling public and private dilemmas f... more Abstract: Social media and their changing nature present compelling public and private dilemmas for higher education. Instructional delivery faces obstacles to effectively reaching students who often prefer online communities and spend considerable recreational time using these social networking sites. CMS has limited appeal as an inviting space for students. An effective learning environment provides a communal place for student–professor interactions and an accessible and interactive space for collaboration and ...
Given the necessity of coding tools for many digital humanities projects, this workshop will intr... more Given the necessity of coding tools for many digital humanities projects, this workshop will introduce participants to the p5.js Javascript library, covering the basics of programming, including variables, for loops, if..then statements, and basic drawing syntax. After a scaffolded series of exercises, which include basic drawing and the repetition of patterns, participants will create data (through simple voting within the group on a convenient topic) and then create a basic visualization using the data
In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these ... more In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these opportunities to engage with Doctor Who, has it become too easy to be a fan of the programme? A similar question arises in discussions about online activism. Slacktivism refers to the actions by social media activists whose so-called humanitarian actions ultimately require little effort. Such behaviours include liking a Facebook page sponsored by a non-profit or singing an online petition. this may lead to satisfaction for the individual, but ultimately requires no significant commitment or sacrifice and offers questionable value. The same accusations can be made towards twenty-first-century fandom. If the barriers to becoming a fan have fallen, what is the real difference between a fan and a typical viewer
Proceedings of the 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 2019
This lightning talk describes a proposal for a class that includes a mix of programming and polit... more This lightning talk describes a proposal for a class that includes a mix of programming and politics. Students would use the p5.js library to learn basic programming, making this class appropriate to undergraduate non-majors. With a focus on interfacing with an audience, students learn variables and arrays, loops, if then statements, text animation, and functions, as well as p5.js specific libraries for video and the Kinect. For a major/final project, students are asked to consider a social issue (e.g., poverty, global warming, gun reform) and create an interactive art exhibit using a PC, Kinect, keyboard, and/or mouse, and their choice of photography/graphics/video. All viewpoints are accepted. The integration of social science (e.g., Political Science, Sociology), humanities (e.g., American Studies, Gender Studies), and programming would offer a wide spectrum of students with an immediate and tangible product, while also broadening their concept of what can be accomplished and communicated through code. Additionally, students would study other example of interactive installations as a means to see what is possible and come to terms with what forms may constitute art. Most significantly, this alternative version of project-based learning would motivate students to apply and continue to learn what is necessary to implement their artistic vision and communicate their views. Furthermore, each student's unique project would minimize the risk of cheating and require students to synthesize not only specific programming tasks, but also an understanding of audience and concepts of usability relevant to the brief time a user may interact with the installation.
2012 IEEE International Games Innovation Conference, 2012
Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, vi... more Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, virtual worlds, and games may be used to improve social and language skills. These tools may be combined with the DIR/Floortime therapeutic model that encourages parents, teachers, and therapists to engage these children through their own (sometimes limited) interests. Applying this framework, this paper suggests the creation of a workshop modeled after the Computer Clubhouse, as developed at the Massachusetts Institute of ...
Despite tendencies towards repetitive game action and simple 2-D graphics, social games have brou... more Despite tendencies towards repetitive game action and simple 2-D graphics, social games have brought online gaming to an unprecedented mass audience. Social games are typically accessed through social networking sites and are the predominant form of ...
"Twenty years ago it was great fun to watch Doctor Who on a Saturday night with friends in t... more "Twenty years ago it was great fun to watch Doctor Who on a Saturday night with friends in the comfort of your living room. This weekly bonding experience was perhaps the only occasion to share the joy of Doctor Who fandom. A few fans might engage in writing fan fiction or creating fan videos (fanvids), but sharing these creative endeavors was difficult, with the occasional science fiction convention serving as the primary distribution hub. Now, with the growth of Web 2.0 and content sharing sites like YouTube, anyone can contribute, view and comment on fan-created works, establishing a global forum for narrative exploration and the redefinition of what it means to be a fan of a fictional program. The ability of fans to engage the content of a program through their own creations magnifies their interest and dedication, satisfying the needs of a show’s creators by increasing ratings. More significantly, fan interactions reflect the revival of public discourse missing since the development and growth of electronic mass communication in the last century. "
Taste and technical considerations of cooking do and should play a significant part in determinin... more Taste and technical considerations of cooking do and should play a significant part in determining who wins, and members of all ethnicities have won Chopped. But, on numerous occasions, in order to fulfill the expectations of reality television, narrative (and when appropriate, ethnic narrative) is used to create tension, suggesting a prejudice against ethnic cooking, when food should more effectively function as a common language.
In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming ... more In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming into the curriculum outside of Computer Science departments has become increasingly common in colleges and universities. Faculty doing this important work must help non-technical students achieve success with coding assignments, and determine what level of instruction is appropriate for a given class. This online book will hopefully address issues relevant to anyone teaching programming, but takes as its specific focus the curriculum of communication programs, including but not limited to film, information science, and interactive media—any degree that includes the creation of media messages for the web or other interactive medium (e.g., mobile apps, software) or the use of code to expand the effectiveness of traditional media (e.g., data journalism)
In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these ... more In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these opportunities to engage with Doctor Who, has it become too easy to be a fan of the programme? A similar question arises in discussions about online activism. Slacktivism refers to the actions by social media activists whose so-called humanitarian actions ultimately require little effort. Such behaviours include liking a Facebook page sponsored by a non-profit or singing an online petition. this may lead to satisfaction for the individual, but ultimately requires no significant commitment or sacrifice and offers questionable value. The same accusations can be made towards twenty-first-century fandom. If the barriers to becoming a fan have fallen, what is the real difference between a fan and a typical viewer
Professors across various disciplines in the liberal arts increasingly find themselves incorporat... more Professors across various disciplines in the liberal arts increasingly find themselves incorporating programming into their classes. Examples include media professors teaching web design and video game development, art professors teaching Processing, and statistics and political science professors teaching R. In order to help meet the professional development needs of this group, an online publication published in late fall 2018 covers both the general trends related to coding across the liberal arts disciplines, as well as specific pedagogical strategies and assignments related primarily to media production. Specifically, the chapters are: 1) an overview of the use of coding within media departments nationwide; 2) a literature review and analysis of coding pedagogical discourse as it relates to the liberal arts; 3) a discussion of why journalism and media students need to know coding; and six case studies: 4) mobile app creation; 5) p5.js; 6) HTML/CSS 7) interactive documentaries; 8) data visualizations; 9) video games. This book takes an innovative trajectory by never being entirely complete. Authors may submit additional chapters for consideration at anytime with the goal of creating a large repository of coding pedagogy strategies for professors teaching programming outside of traditional Computer Science (and hopefully, Computer Science professors may find this source useful as well). This poster showcases some of the content of the online publication and invites new authors to consider submitting-after discussion with the editor who will be available at the poster session.
In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: Interactive documentaries offer... more In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: Interactive documentaries offer the opportunity to integrate the traditional media form of film/video with coding and other skills related to new media production, including usability analysis and information architecture. Interactive media production is dependent on not only technical skills, but also design and storytelling; an effective website designed for a company or non-profit not only conveys information but also weaves together a narrative about the organization. Given this overlap between storytelling and new media texts, introducing interactive documentaries into the new media classroom is an effective pedagogical approach. It provides media students with the opportunity to take video skills possibly learned in another class—although my version below doesn’t assume that—and apply them to the new media environment, introducing the important concept that content can be divorced from a particular medium and distributed through a variety of platforms. This paper will describe how the process and requirements of creating an interactive documentary can be used to structure an intermediate web design course
In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming ... more In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming into the curriculum outside of Computer Science departments has become increasingly common in colleges and universities. Faculty doing this important work must help non-technical students achieve success with coding assignments, and determine what level of instruction is appropriate for a given class. This online book will hopefully address issues relevant to anyone teaching programming, but takes as its specific focus the curriculum of communication programs, including but not limited to film, information science, and interactive media—any degree that includes the creation of media messages for the web or other interactive medium (e.g., mobile apps, software) or the use of code to expand the effectiveness of traditional media (e.g., data journalism)
Queerness has always been integral to Doctor Who, insofar as the series has mostly eschewed heter... more Queerness has always been integral to Doctor Who, insofar as the series has mostly eschewed heteronormative romantic relationships from its premier in 1963. The main character is an alien and a Time Lord and possesses the ability to regenerate as a response to illness, injury, or old age. This addition of this ability was a necessary solution after the first actor playing the Doctor, William Hartnell, was forced to leave the series due to chronic illness while the show maintained its popularity. This embodied fluidity informs a queer perspective that endures throughout the show’s history.
2012 IEEE International Games Innovation Conference, Sep 1, 2012
Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, vi... more Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, virtual worlds, and games may be used to improve social and language skills. These tools may be combined with the DIR/Floortime therapeutic model that encourages parents, teachers, and therapists to engage these children through their own (sometimes limited) interests. Applying this framework, this paper suggests the creation of a workshop modeled after the Computer Clubhouse, as developed at the Massachusetts Institute of ...
Cutting-edge technologies in higher education, Jan 13, 2011
Abstract: Social media and their changing nature present compelling public and private dilemmas f... more Abstract: Social media and their changing nature present compelling public and private dilemmas for higher education. Instructional delivery faces obstacles to effectively reaching students who often prefer online communities and spend considerable recreational time using these social networking sites. CMS has limited appeal as an inviting space for students. An effective learning environment provides a communal place for student–professor interactions and an accessible and interactive space for collaboration and ...
Given the necessity of coding tools for many digital humanities projects, this workshop will intr... more Given the necessity of coding tools for many digital humanities projects, this workshop will introduce participants to the p5.js Javascript library, covering the basics of programming, including variables, for loops, if..then statements, and basic drawing syntax. After a scaffolded series of exercises, which include basic drawing and the repetition of patterns, participants will create data (through simple voting within the group on a convenient topic) and then create a basic visualization using the data
In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these ... more In lieu of an abstract the first paragraph of this chapter is below: With the emergence of these opportunities to engage with Doctor Who, has it become too easy to be a fan of the programme? A similar question arises in discussions about online activism. Slacktivism refers to the actions by social media activists whose so-called humanitarian actions ultimately require little effort. Such behaviours include liking a Facebook page sponsored by a non-profit or singing an online petition. this may lead to satisfaction for the individual, but ultimately requires no significant commitment or sacrifice and offers questionable value. The same accusations can be made towards twenty-first-century fandom. If the barriers to becoming a fan have fallen, what is the real difference between a fan and a typical viewer
Proceedings of the 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 2019
This lightning talk describes a proposal for a class that includes a mix of programming and polit... more This lightning talk describes a proposal for a class that includes a mix of programming and politics. Students would use the p5.js library to learn basic programming, making this class appropriate to undergraduate non-majors. With a focus on interfacing with an audience, students learn variables and arrays, loops, if then statements, text animation, and functions, as well as p5.js specific libraries for video and the Kinect. For a major/final project, students are asked to consider a social issue (e.g., poverty, global warming, gun reform) and create an interactive art exhibit using a PC, Kinect, keyboard, and/or mouse, and their choice of photography/graphics/video. All viewpoints are accepted. The integration of social science (e.g., Political Science, Sociology), humanities (e.g., American Studies, Gender Studies), and programming would offer a wide spectrum of students with an immediate and tangible product, while also broadening their concept of what can be accomplished and communicated through code. Additionally, students would study other example of interactive installations as a means to see what is possible and come to terms with what forms may constitute art. Most significantly, this alternative version of project-based learning would motivate students to apply and continue to learn what is necessary to implement their artistic vision and communicate their views. Furthermore, each student's unique project would minimize the risk of cheating and require students to synthesize not only specific programming tasks, but also an understanding of audience and concepts of usability relevant to the brief time a user may interact with the installation.
2012 IEEE International Games Innovation Conference, 2012
Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, vi... more Abstract 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Specific software, virtual worlds, and games may be used to improve social and language skills. These tools may be combined with the DIR/Floortime therapeutic model that encourages parents, teachers, and therapists to engage these children through their own (sometimes limited) interests. Applying this framework, this paper suggests the creation of a workshop modeled after the Computer Clubhouse, as developed at the Massachusetts Institute of ...
Despite tendencies towards repetitive game action and simple 2-D graphics, social games have brou... more Despite tendencies towards repetitive game action and simple 2-D graphics, social games have brought online gaming to an unprecedented mass audience. Social games are typically accessed through social networking sites and are the predominant form of ...
"Twenty years ago it was great fun to watch Doctor Who on a Saturday night with friends in t... more "Twenty years ago it was great fun to watch Doctor Who on a Saturday night with friends in the comfort of your living room. This weekly bonding experience was perhaps the only occasion to share the joy of Doctor Who fandom. A few fans might engage in writing fan fiction or creating fan videos (fanvids), but sharing these creative endeavors was difficult, with the occasional science fiction convention serving as the primary distribution hub. Now, with the growth of Web 2.0 and content sharing sites like YouTube, anyone can contribute, view and comment on fan-created works, establishing a global forum for narrative exploration and the redefinition of what it means to be a fan of a fictional program. The ability of fans to engage the content of a program through their own creations magnifies their interest and dedication, satisfying the needs of a show’s creators by increasing ratings. More significantly, fan interactions reflect the revival of public discourse missing since the development and growth of electronic mass communication in the last century. "
Taste and technical considerations of cooking do and should play a significant part in determinin... more Taste and technical considerations of cooking do and should play a significant part in determining who wins, and members of all ethnicities have won Chopped. But, on numerous occasions, in order to fulfill the expectations of reality television, narrative (and when appropriate, ethnic narrative) is used to create tension, suggesting a prejudice against ethnic cooking, when food should more effectively function as a common language.
In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming ... more In lieu of an abstract, here is the chapter\u27s first paragraph: The integration of programming into the curriculum outside of Computer Science departments has become increasingly common in colleges and universities. Faculty doing this important work must help non-technical students achieve success with coding assignments, and determine what level of instruction is appropriate for a given class. This online book will hopefully address issues relevant to anyone teaching programming, but takes as its specific focus the curriculum of communication programs, including but not limited to film, information science, and interactive media—any degree that includes the creation of media messages for the web or other interactive medium (e.g., mobile apps, software) or the use of code to expand the effectiveness of traditional media (e.g., data journalism)
The media depiction of autism has not always accurately represented individuals with this diagnos... more The media depiction of autism has not always accurately represented individuals with this diagnosis. In the late 1980’s, the Oscar winning film, Rain Man, offered the stereotypical depiction of the idiot savant in Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of the statistically gifted Raymond Babbit. Today, the higher diagnosis rate for autism and autism spectrum disorders (approximately 1 out of 110 children) is likely contributing to a greater willingness to produce fiction and non-fiction media content that depicts a range of physical, cognitive and emotional issues, as well as the abilities and personalities of children with the disorder.
Parenthood, a mainstream network television program, offers a realistic depiction of Max, a youngster with Asperger’s Syndrome, and the related issues his parents face. Even more significantly, changes in media distribution have allowed films and videos out of the mainstream to reach a wider audience. The structure of the documentary Autism: The Musical follows the classic “the show must go on” plot and offers both a Hollywood feel-good ending and an accurate glimpse into the heterogeneity of kids with an autism diagnosis. Such a documentary would likely not have been seen outside of a very limited run in an art house movie theater or a few showings on cable. With Netflix and YouTube, a larger potential audience can find and access the film more easily.
Perhaps more significantly, parents are able to view expert videos on techniques related to different therapies and notably, are able to share their own experiences playing and working with their own children, demonstrating successes in both treatment and development. Regardless of the nature of future mainstream depictions of autism, the new media landscape offers parents the opportunity to meaningfully engage each other.
This open source, online book covers both theoretical rationales and case studies for incorporati... more This open source, online book covers both theoretical rationales and case studies for incorporating coding/programming into non-Computer Science classes, with a focus on media production and Communication programs.
Roland Barthes theory of the studium and punctum can be applied to how uses of social media (e.g.... more Roland Barthes theory of the studium and punctum can be applied to how uses of social media (e.g., Facebook) perceive and react to profile pictures.
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Papers by Jeremy Sarachan
Parenthood, a mainstream network television program, offers a realistic depiction of Max, a youngster with Asperger’s Syndrome, and the related issues his parents face. Even more significantly, changes in media distribution have allowed films and videos out of the mainstream to reach a wider audience. The structure of the documentary Autism: The Musical follows the classic “the show must go on” plot and offers both a Hollywood feel-good ending and an accurate glimpse into the heterogeneity of kids with an autism diagnosis. Such a documentary would likely not have been seen outside of a very limited run in an art house movie theater or a few showings on cable. With Netflix and YouTube, a larger potential audience can find and access the film more easily.
Perhaps more significantly, parents are able to view expert videos on techniques related to different therapies and notably, are able to share their own experiences playing and working with their own children, demonstrating successes in both treatment and development. Regardless of the nature of future mainstream depictions of autism, the new media landscape offers parents the opportunity to meaningfully engage each other.