Teaching Workshop: Emotions in Art: Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The "Emotions in Art: Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence" workshop aims to explore the complex world of emotions through a multidisciplinary approach that combines theory, technology, and art. The course seeks to deepen the theoretical knowledge of emotions, examining their psychological, physiological, and cultural foundations, and to explore the relationship between emotions and art, with particular attention to the works present in the Pinacoteca di Brera. Students will be introduced to the use of innovative technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence for the study and analysis of emotions, understanding their practical applications in various fields. These include marketing and advertising, clinical psychology and therapy, product and user interface design, art and culture, behavioral economics, education and learning, video game development and interactive entertainment, medicine and healthcare, security and surveillance, as well as human resources and personnel management. The course will offer practical experience in emotion analysis through experiential activities in virtual reality and guided tours of the Pinacoteca di Brera, while raising students' awareness of the importance of emotional education, with particular attention to family dynamics, including those of adoptive families. A unique aspect of this workshop is the involvement of families with adopted children, who will be introduced to the world of emotions through games and experiences with works of art. Students will have the optional opportunity to participate in these meetings, offering them a practical and direct experience in applying the concepts learned during the course.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop, students are expected to have acquired a solid theoretical knowledge of emotions and their importance in various contexts, be able to use and interpret data collected through advanced technologies for emotion analysis, and have developed greater emotional awareness and the ability to recognize and interpret their own and others' emotions. Students will understand the potential and ethical challenges related to the use of new technologies in the study of emotions and will be able to critically analyze works of art from an emotional perspective, using both traditional and technological approaches. The course also aims to provide practical skills in using tools and methodologies for studying emotions in real and virtual contexts, raising students' awareness of the emotional peculiarities of adoptive families and the importance of emotional education in diverse family contexts. Students will be encouraged to propose innovative applications for the study and use of emotions in various professional fields. This component of the workshop will not only enrich the students' educational experience but will also contribute to developing their sensitivity and understanding of emotional dynamics in diverse family contexts, preparing them to face emotional challenges in various professional and personal settings with greater awareness.
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will be structured in a series of thematic lessons that will guide students through a comprehensive and stimulating learning journey. We will begin with an in-depth exploration of emotion theories, covering psychological, physiological, and cultural foundations. We will then focus on the role of emotions in art, analyzing how artists from different eras have expressed and evoked emotions through their works. We will then introduce advanced technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, exploring their revolutionary potential in the study and analysis of emotions. Students will have the opportunity to experience these technologies firsthand, applying them to the analysis of artworks.
A significant part of the course will be dedicated to practical applications of emotional analysis in particular social contexts, with a specific focus on adoptive families. We will explore how the learned technologies and theories can be applied to understand and support the unique emotional dynamics of these families. In parallel, we will offer an overview of emotional analysis applications in other relevant fields, from psychology to marketing, from art to medicine, to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the potential of these technologies and methodologies.
Visits to the Pinacoteca di Brera and immersive experiences with artworks will constitute a crucial moment of experiential learning, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a concrete artistic context. The course will culminate with an emphasis on emotional education and family dynamics, with particular attention to adoptive families. Students will have the unique opportunity to participate in interactive sessions with these families, directly applying their knowledge in a real and socially relevant context, and developing projects that can have a positive impact on these family realities.
A significant part of the course will be dedicated to practical applications of emotional analysis in particular social contexts, with a specific focus on adoptive families. We will explore how the learned technologies and theories can be applied to understand and support the unique emotional dynamics of these families. In parallel, we will offer an overview of emotional analysis applications in other relevant fields, from psychology to marketing, from art to medicine, to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the potential of these technologies and methodologies.
Visits to the Pinacoteca di Brera and immersive experiences with artworks will constitute a crucial moment of experiential learning, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a concrete artistic context. The course will culminate with an emphasis on emotional education and family dynamics, with particular attention to adoptive families. Students will have the unique opportunity to participate in interactive sessions with these families, directly applying their knowledge in a real and socially relevant context, and developing projects that can have a positive impact on these family realities.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific technical skills are required, but an open mindset towards learning new technological tools is essential. A sensitivity to emotional and social issues will be particularly useful for this course.
Teaching methods
The course will adopt a multifaceted and interactive teaching approach. Lectures will provide the necessary theoretical foundations, but will be complemented by stimulating group discussions that encourage critical thinking and exchange of ideas. A key element of the course will be hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, allowing students to concretely understand their potential in the study of emotions. Tour of the Pinacoteca di Brera (optional) will offer a unique opportunity to apply the theories learned to the analysis of real artworks. Finally, interactive sessions with families and children, particularly adoptive ones, will provide a direct and deeply formative experience in the field of emotional education and family dynamics.
Teaching Resources
- Handouts provided by the instructor, including summaries of main emotion theories and their applications
- Selected scientific articles on emotions and art from academic journals in psychology, neuroscience, and art history
- Updated online resources on virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and their applications in the study of emotions
- Selected scientific articles on emotions and art from academic journals in psychology, neuroscience, and art history
- Updated online resources on virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and their applications in the study of emotions
Assessment methods and Criteria
Student assessment will be based on a multidimensional approach that reflects the complexity and sensitivity of the topics covered in the course. Active participation during classes, including contributions to discussions and engagement in practical activities, will constitute an important component of the evaluation. The heart of the evaluation process will be an innovative final project, specifically oriented towards applying emotion theories and studied technologies in the context of adoptive families. This project will require students to develop a concrete initiative that integrates the use of virtual reality or artificial intelligence to support emotional education or facilitate communication within adoptive families. Students will need to demonstrate a deep understanding of the unique emotional dynamics of these family contexts, proposing innovative and sensitive solutions. The project will be presented orally, allowing students to articulate their ideas, justify their methodological choices, and discuss the potential ethical implications of their work. The evaluation will take into account the creativity, feasibility, and potential impact of the project, as well as the students' ability to integrate learned theories with practical and ethical considerations.
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