Syllabus

STUDENT SYLLABUS
ARNM 3013.1 (3 hours credit)
SPRING 2011
Art for Non-Majors: Two-Dimensional

INSTRUCTOR: Stuart Whitis 
EMAIL: stuartwhitis@gmail.com 
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment in the FJC lobby 
CLASS: 1:30pm - 4:20pm, Room 421

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides students who are not art majors with an introduction to the basic studio processes of painting and drawing. Students will also have an opportunity to consider and reflect on drawing in its most expanded form: as a primary tool of communication and creative problem solving, as movement, as sensory experience, and as its own unique method of cognition. Projects will be supplemented with lecture, film, and discussion that will introduce contemporary art issues and help develop the skills needed to select and develop meaningful imagery.

GRADING POLICY:

  • 40% Projects
  • 30% Guided Instruction 
  • 20% Sketchbook 
  • 10% Participation

Projects and guided instruction will be executed during class time, but you are encouraged to further refine your projects at home. Sketchbook assignments will be your only explicit homework. Please note that late work will result in a 50% deduction from your score. If you must be absent please turn in your work early or send it with a classmate. Your work will be graded accordingly:

  • A - Exceptional Work - Clearly understood the assignment/concepts and executed with a dynamic work ethic and professional presentation
  • B - Good Work - Grasped the concepts and principles of the assignment with an effective presentation
  • C - Competent Work - Covered the basic requirements of the assignment with little motivation
  • D - Below Average Work - Demonstrated a limited understanding of concepts and principles and hastily completed
  • F - Unacceptable Work - Incomplete or clearly rushed with an inability to grasp the fundamental requirements of the assignment

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is critical to your success in this course. A large percentage of your grade comes from work completed during class and the opportunity to learn from your peers is worth it alone. The impact of your full participation cannot be
underestimated. Roll will be taken at 9:45 am. Arriving after roll is taken or leaving before class is over will be counted as tardy. Three tardies will be considered an unexcused absence. Each student is allowed three unexcused absences, but four unexcused absences will result in your grade being lowered by one letter. It will be lowered another letter for each additional unexcused absence. If you are going to miss class due to a Provost approved/University sponsored activity, legally required activity, or a religious observance then you should inform me before the scheduled activity or observance.

WEBSITE: You are all welcome and encouraged to participate in the discussion online, but it is not required and will not affect your grade. If you would like photos of your work from class to be posted on the website just let me know; otherwise I will request to post a photo of your work if I feel it’s a good example of applied knowledge. Students will also be able to create posts on the blog and comment freely.

CELL PHONES AND LISTENING DEVICES: Turn your cellphones on silent before coming to class. IPods and other personal listening devices are only to be used during designated work time. Please remain alert and attentive while using headphones so that others don’t have to work to get your attention.

ADA STATEMENT: Any student with a disability that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact me as soon as possible. I’ll be more than happy to discuss necessary accommodations for your participation in class.

DISCLAIMER: Students should understand that this course could expose them to graphic language and imagery of a violent or sexual nature that is not consistent with all world views. The purpose for studying such material is to seek a holistic understanding of the various themes in contemporary art and art history. I will strive for a mature discernment concerning the moral and aesthetic appropriateness of the content for this course.

MATERIALS: Please note that this is just the minimum I require you to purchase. Although we’ll be using specific tools for guided instruction, you’re free to bring in any other supplies you’d like to experiment with on your projects (pastels, colored pencils, ink, etc).

Purchase week one:

  • Pencil sharpener (small, hand-held works fine) 
  • An eraser, such as a Pink Pearl, kneaded gum, or white plastic 
  • One pad 18”x24” heavyweight white drawing paper 
  • Set of graphite pencils
  • Small mirror with a stand or clip

Other necessities:

  • One sketchbook (personal choice - sketchbook assignments will be ongoing) 
  • Roll of masking tape 
  • Brush set (Various sizes)
  • Palette (disposable works well) 
  • Palette Knife 
  • Jar/Cup
  • Acrylic Paint (Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red Medium, Cobalt Blue, Titanium White, Mars Black) 
  • X-Acto knife and blades 
  • Glue sticks 
  • Ruler or straight-edge 
  • Scissors
  • Black Sharpie

Optional: 

  • Tackle box or similar tote to carry your supplies
  • Apron or big shirt to protect your clothes
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)