Art210 Spring 2009

Section 1: Monday Wednesday Friday 10:00 am - 11:50 am
Section 2: Tues Thurs 2:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Instructor: Cullen Stephenson, CStephenson@missouristate.edu

Purpose

This course will combine software training (Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and some Flash) with creative practice, art history, and critical thinking. While the development of technical skill will be expected, this course will focus directly on art making, and will be taught as a multidisciplinary studio art course which uses digital tools. The projects will provide a way to learn the technical skills, and the technical skills will provide a way to complete the projects gracefully. But, our primary goals will be embedding material with thought and learning as a group.

I take sweat equity very seriously, and expect you to work hard for your own benefit.The standards of this course are high. I expect you will enjoy many aspects of the course if you are prepared to work hard, and take on new challenges. So, use our time together to challenge yourself and make work in which you're deeply invested. Work toward guiding the small decisions with your own personal beliefs and interests. If you would like to personalize an assignment, let me know, and we might work something out.

This class will require participation and patience. It is not approached as a typical lecture or technical environment, but one where we learn from each other and solve problems collaboratively. Students are expected to be respectful of their peers. Creative and reading assignments should be done on time, and comments should be thoughtful and constructive.

Success in this class will be measured by a combination of your work ethic, your ability to think critically, and your attention to craft.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of this class, I expect you to have developed a professional understanding of photoshop and a working knowledge of web design. I expect you to have utilized critical thinking skills, produced exceptional work for your own portfolio, and gained experience with the history and production of digital art.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential. Students are allowed three unexcused absences during the semester. Any absences beyond that will affect your final grade by minus 5% per missed class. Repeatedly arriving late to class and/or repeatedly leaving early will also lower your final grade.* If you miss a class (or a part of a class), it is strictly your responsibility to make up the missed material.

*The only absences that are considered excused are absences due to participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs, family or medical emergencies. You must give proof. Proof may be submitted up to the date of our final exam. After that date I will no longer accept proof.

Projects

Students will complete five projects for this course. These projects are organized around different aspects of digital media. Keep in mind that this course is an art course and will graded accordingly. Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Concept and Creativity- 25%
Has the artist thought about the project critically and developed a response unique to their own experience? Does the artwork clearly communicate something to viewers? Is the response thoughtful and creative? Or, is it overly predictable?

• Understanding and Execution of the project- 25%
Did the artist carefully consider the project and its objectives as described in the syllabus. Is it well executed? Is it well thought out? Does it make sense?

• Craftsmanship - 25%
Does the artist display attention to technique and detail.
Does the artist skillfully manipulate the images? Are all details carefully finished and/or intentional-looking?

• Effort and Improvement - 25%
Commitment and work ethic.
Did the artist work hard to improve their knowledge and achieve the results they desired? Is the student asking questions to gain a better understanding? Is their project personally challenging? Has the student been using class time to their advantage?

Critiques

Participation in all in-progress and end critiques is mandatory and a part of your overall grade. On the day of critiques, you must be present and your work must be complete AT THE START of the critique in order to be accepted. If you are late for a critique, at my discretion we may not critique your work. If, for whatever reason, you do not have work on the day of critique, you are still required to attend and participate in the critique. Late work will only be accepted at my discretion, and will be marked down 15 points for each class period.

Reading Responses

When noted, you will be required to submit a brief (one page or so) written response to assigned readings on the due date of the reading. The reading responses are not intended to be formal book reports. But, they should provide your honest opinion about the reading and evidence of critical thought. All written work will be graded on a credit/no credit basis, and will factor into your participation grade.

Sketchbooks

You are required to keep a sketchbook. This will function as your journal for the duration of the class. USE IT! Write down important and new ideas we discuss. Use it for sketching, thinking, writing, collecting…fill it up! It doesn't need to include actual sketches, just brainwork. Show me that you are thinking out of class about the projects. I will give you outside classroom assignments throughout the course and expect them to manifest in your sketchbooks. Your sketchbook will also figure into your participation grade.

Studio and outside work

Studio time is scheduled in class for each assignment. Students are expected to come to classes identified as "Studio" prepared to work. People who complete projects early don't get to leave any earlier. So plan your time wisely and challenge yourself. You are required to attend studio classes prepared to work with any and all files that you are using in the project. You are welcome to use your own laptops as long as you have the necessary software.

Work outside of class is required. The average student requires approximately 6 hours of work a week outside of class. Open lab times will be posted on this website as soon as they are available.

Final

In addition to completing a self-evaluation, each student is required to document all projects on CD. Students will turn this in on the day of our final exam with a printed copy of the self-evaluation. It is imperative that you keep all of your files from the semester so that you will have them at the end for this purpose.

Your final grades will be determined by the following:

Project 1	100 pts
Project 2	100 pts
Project 3	100 pts
Project 4	100 pts
Project 5	100 pts
Final Exam & Disc	20 pts
Participation	80 pts

Supplies

* Flash drive (or other portable hard drive) for saving and transporting files
* Sketchbook
* Miscellaneous supplies as needed (including printing materials and costs)

Recommended Books

Photoshop CS3 for Windows and Macintosh : Visual QuickStart Guide (Visual Quickstart Guides) by Elaine Weinmann, Peter Lourekas, Peachpit Press

Illustrator CS3 for Windows and Macintosh (Visual QuickStart Guide)
by Elaine Weinmann, Peter Lourekas, Peachpit Press

Dreamweaver CS3: The Missing Manual (Paperback)
by David McFarland, Pogue Press

Statement of nondiscrimination:
Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns
(i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head.

Statement on disability accommodation:
To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY). Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787.

Students who require assistance during an emergency evacuation must discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Services in case the building must be evacuated.

For additional information students should contact the Office of Disability Services, 836-4192 (PSU 405), or Larry Combs, Interim Assistant Director of Public Safety and Transportation at 836-6576.

For further information on Missouri State University’s Emergency Response Plan, please refer to the following website.

Statement on academic dishonesty:
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available here. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.

Dropping Classes
It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.

Cell phone policy:
The use by students of cell phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes is prohibited. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent mode and cannot be taken out during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances. Check this link for the complete policy.