Toolkit for the Future of Work

NYU ITP, Spring 2022 // Instructor: Carrie Sijia Wang

Quick Links: Homework Submission Folder / Lecture References / All Slideshows / All Zoom Recordings

About

Class Information

Time: Tuesdays 3:10 – 5:40pm

Location: 370 Jay St., Room 308

Instructor: Carrie Wang / sw3923@nyu.edu / Office Hour Signup

Class Miro Board (We’ll use it for in-class activities.)

Zoom Link (Only use when you have COVID related concerns such as having to quarantine.)

Support:

ITP Residents Office Hours
Scroll down to “Research Residents.”

Course Description

This class uses art-based research to explore the future of work from a few different perspectives. We will look at how work is being disrupted by automation and artificial intelligence, investigate the use of algorithmic management tools and A.I. driven hiring platforms, and experiment with out-of-the-box ideas for office design and team building.

How do we empower and uplift workers in an ever so close future of ubiquitous surveillance and the gamification of everything? How can we integrate technology into workplace design beyond just putting screens everywhere? What are some creative ways to bring the team together in the age of remote work? These are among the questions that the class will explore.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this course, the students will:

  1. Have a more comprehensive understanding about the future of work.
  2. Learn how to use art as a mode of inquiry and a research method.
  3. Improve their presentation skills.
  4. Get better at quickly learning more about a new topic and start a project.

Teaching Methodology

This is a 7-week course that meets once a week. Class time is divided into lectures, discussions, workshop activities, and student presentations.

This course utilizes art-based research as method of inquiry into the future of work. In addition to lectures, students will be doing a lot of in-class activities to creatively explore the topics of discussion.

Weekly Assignments

  • Weekly assignments are in the form of creative inquiry and are designed to give students more time to explore the topic introduced in class.
  • All assignments are due in the form of google slideshow presentations before class.
  • Students are required to present their projects in class.

Final Project

  • The course will culminate with the completion of a final project to be shared in class.
  • We are expected to push our abilities to produce something that builds off or is inspired by the concepts we cover during the semester.

Evaluation

Grades will be determined according to this criteria:

  • Participation and Attendance 40%
  • Weekly Assignments and Presentations 40%
  • Final Project 20%

To do well in this class, you should make efforts to learn and explore the lecture/discussion topics. You are expected to complete all the assignments on time, have things to show for the in class presentations, and actively participate in discussions.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Please email your instructor if you are going to miss a class. Two unexcused absences is cause for failing the class. An unexcused lateness of 10 minutes or more is equivalent to 1/2 of an absence.

Statement of Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work as though it were your own. More specifically, plagiarism is to present as your own: A sequence of words quoted without quotation marks from another writer or a paraphrased passage from another writer’s work or facts, ideas or images composed by someone else.

Statement of Principle

The core of the educational experience at the Tisch School of the Arts is the creation of original academic and artistic work by students for the critical review of faculty members. It is therefore of the utmost importance that students at all times provide their instructors with an accurate sense of their current abilities and knowledge in order to receive appropriate constructive criticism and advice. Any attempt to evade that essential, transparent transaction between instructor and student through plagiarism or cheating is educationally self-defeating and a grave violation of Tisch School of the Arts community standards. For all the details on plagiarism, please refer to page 10 of the Tisch School of the Arts, Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Statement on Accessibility

Please feel free to make suggestions to your instructor about ways in which this class could become more accessible to you. Academic accommodations are available for students with documented disabilities. Please contact the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities at 212 998-4980 for further information.

Statement on Counseling and Wellness

Your health and safety are a priority at NYU. If you experience any health or mental health issues during this program, we encourage you to utilize the support services of the 24/7 NYU Wellness Exchange (US +1 212-443-9999). Also, all students who may require an academic accommodation due to a qualified disability, physical or mental, please register with the NYU Moses Center (US + 1 212-998-4980). Please let your instructor know if you need help connecting to these resources.

Statement on Use of Electronic Devices

Laptops will be an essential part of the course and may be used in class during workshops and for taking notes in lecture. Laptops must be closed during student presentations. Phone use in class is strictly prohibited unless directly related to a presentation of your own work or if you are asked to do so as part of the curriculum.

Statement on Title IX

Tisch School of the Arts to dedicated to providing its students with a learning environment that is rigorous, respectful, supportive and nurturing so that they can engage in the free exchange of ideas and commit themselves fully to the study of their discipline. To that end Tisch is committed to enforcing University policies prohibiting all forms of sexual misconduct as well as discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. Detailed information regarding these policies and the resources that are available to students through the Title IX office can be found by using the following link: Title IX at NYU.

Schedule

Week 01: The future of work is __________.

In Class: SLIDES

  • Self Introductions
  • Overview of the Class
  • Lecture & Discussion: Overview of the Future of Work & Creative Inquiries
  • Group Activity: Jobs of the Future

Homework: Anatomy of a Future Job

Imagine a job that could exist in the future. Create a visual anatomy for the job. Get ready to present it in class next week.

Week 02: Algorithmic Management & Remote Surveillance

In Class: SLIDES

  • Present “Anatomy of a Future Job”
  • Lecture & Discussion: Algorithmic Management & Remote Surveillance
  • Group Activity: Anti-Surveillance Tools

Homework: (Anti) Surveillance Guide for the Workplace

Plan out a guide about digital surveillance in the workplace. 

You don’t have to design the entire guide, just create a small portion of it that can represent the style, tone, and format of the guide.

Week 03: Hired by the Machine + Impact Design Workshop

In Class: SLIDES

  • Present “(Anti) Surveillance Guide for the Workplace”
  • Lecture & Discussion: Hired by the Machine
  • Introduction to Impact Design
  • Group Activity: Impact Design Proposal
  • Assign Homework: Make an Impact

Homework: Make an Impact

Create a mini advocacy project proposal tackling any issue related to the future of work. The project should be aimed at solving a specific problem by changing the minds of a specific audience. 

Week 04: Reimagine the Place of Work

In Class: SLIDES

  • Present “Impact Design Proposal”
  • Lecture & Discussion: Reimagine the Place of Work
  • Group Activity: Reimagine the Creative Office
  • Assign Homework: Workplace Design Proposal

Homework: Workplace Design Proposal

Week 05: Opportunities for Remote Team Building

In Class: SLIDES

  • Guest Speaker: Stephen Kwok – Recreational Meetings
  • Short Lecture on the History of Team Building
  • Present “Workplace Design Proposal”
  • Final Project Assignment

Homework: Final Project Proposal

Week 06: Final Project Proposal + Studio

In Class: SLIDES

  • Present “Final Project Proposal”
  • Open Office Hour

Homework: Final Project

Week 07: Final Project Presentations

In Class:

  • Final Project Presentations with Guest Critic (TBD)