This course introduces computational techniques, methods, and ideas in the context of art and design. Studio projects first focus on the design of algorithms then shift to involve computer programming and scripting. Critical attention is given to code as a body of crafted text, as well as the tension, conflict, and potential possible when computation generates, informs or interacts with drawings, materials, forms, and spaces. Canonical computational works of art and design are presented and assigned for analysis. This course is open to students of all majors at RISD and is designed for those with little or no computation experience. This is one of two required courses required for the new undergraduate Computation Technology and Culture concentration. Its position outside of any department affords a unique opportunity to interrogate the capacity for computation to generate its own discipline and/or to serve as the cultural territory for meaningful, rigorous interdisciplinary discourse and practice. See the course website for more information