Call for Graduate Applications: Computing Culture Group @ MIT Media Lab

Call for Graduate Applications

Computing Culture Group
Art/Technology/Politics
MIT Media Lab

The Computing Culture Group at the MIT Media Lab is an Art and Technology research group focused on embedding poetic and political considerations in the development of new technologies. Research projects have ranged from technologies to confront a changing U.S. Government (OpenGIA, txtMob) and right wing anti-immigrant fascist groups (Freedom Flies), to complications of gender and control in domestic appliances (Blendie), and techniques for creating electronic instruments in a post-oil apocalypse (Synth From Nothin'). Our mission is to refigure what engineering means, how it happens, and what it produces. Drawing on fields from the humanities, like Science and Technology Studies, we create new technologies that function as instances of material power, but also as exemplars of what future goals engineering should pursue. Our page may be found at [http://compcult.media.mit.edu/].

We are currently accepting applications to the Master’s in Media Arts and Sciences graduate program. The MAS is a two-year program, during which a student spends half their time on course work and the other half on their directed art research. Tuition is fully funded, and students receive a significant stipend to live on. The program and funding are open to students of any nationality.

Students may be trained in either art or science and/or engineering, but should show crossover. For instance, an art student should be an accomplished programmer, have machining skills, or be able to design and fabricate electronics. An engineering students should have done several art projects, worked with a professional artist, or shown their ability to author radical or unexpected technologies. More information on the MAS program may be found at [http://www.media.mit.edu/mas/#masters].

Information about the process is available at [http://www.media.mit.edu/mas/apply.html] and application forms may be obtained from the MIT Graduate Admissions office [http://web.mit.edu/admissions/www/]. Applicants must indicate on the application form (question #2) the department of Media Arts and Sciences – we are a separate program and not part of another department at MIT. "Area of research interest" should indicate Chris Csikszentmihalyi (Computing Culture) as well as two other research groups. Application or admissions questions may be directed to Media Arts & Sciences (e-mail: [email protected], tel: (+1 617 253-5114).

Completed applications must be submitted by December 15th for the following Fall semester. The principal components of an application are: academic transcript(s), the applicant's statement of objectives, a portfolio, and three letters of recommendation. GREs are not required. International applicants are required to submit an official copy of their TOEFL scores to MIT. The MIT institution code for TOEFL scores is 3514. The Media Lab does not have its own department number. Scores should be sent to MIT Graduate Admissions, department code 99. The Program in Media, Arts & Sciences requires a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based).

Computing Culture also requires the submission of a portfolio of relevant work. Portfolios should be web-based, but DVD, CD, and other formats are accepted. Any additional materials should be sent to the MAS program, not directly to Chris Csikszentmihalyi.