ART
410 – Concepts, Process, & Criticism – 3 Semester Hours
Fall
2015
MW
1:00-2:15 PM, DFAB 130
Bethel
University
Instructor: Jason Cole
Office
Hours:
MWF:
10-11am; TR: 8-9am, 11am-12pm, 1-2:30pm.
Office
Location: DFAB 113
Office Phone:
731.352.4082
Course
Prerequisites/Co Requisites:
ART 111 and 113 or 115
Course
Description:
Concepts,
Process, and Criticism is an interdisciplinary course that emphasizes concepts,
context and narrative in the production of art.
Students will focus on formulating an individualized process for
expressing personal meaning in art, writing and responding to art criticism,
and developing professional practices and habits.
Course Goals:
Upon the
completion of this course the student will be able to:
1) Develop a
personal process for cultivating concepts and ideas to express in his/her work.
2) Develop methods
of communicating those concepts ideas in art.
3) Demonstrate skills
of viewing and judging art.
4) Write
critically about art.
5) Write an
artist’s statement.
6) Create a body
of work designed to communicate personal ideas and based in research on chosen
concepts and materials.
7) Demonstrate
practices, skills, and habits useful in professional art.
Relationship of this Course to Content Area
Knowledge and Skills:
This course is
not used to address TN Matrix knowledge and skills.
Text:
Bayles, David,
and Ted Orland. Art & Fear:
Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking. Eugene, OR: Image
Continuum Press, 1993.
Elkins, James. Why Art Cannot Be Taught: A Handbook for Art
Students. Champaign: University of Illinois Press, 2001.
Course Objectives:
The student
will:
a) Research
his/her art historical legacy.
b) Maintain a
sketchbook as a process aid.
c) Develop
processes for arriving at his/her personal work.
d) Develop and
utilize writing and study skills and processes.
e) Develop and
enhance his/her proficiency in the vocabulary of the artist.
f) Actively engage
in constructive critique and discussion.
Units of Study:
Unit 1 Overcoming
Preconceived Notions of Art, Art Education, and Art Production
Unit 2 Exploring
Art Criticism
Unit 3 Developing
Concepts and Processes for Communicating Them
Unit 4 Final
Exhibition & Professional Practices
Required Reading/Viewing:
Various
articles and videos posted onto the class blog by the instructor throughout the
semester
Suggested Reading/Viewing:
Various articles, handouts, and websites that
will be given by the instructor throughout the semester.
Methods Of Instruction:
Lecture,
discussion, outside reading, in-class and outside assignments, critique.
Course Requirements:
1) Read the assigned chapters for each week and come
to class prepared to talk about what the readings. We will often spend time in class discussing
readings from the two books. If it is
obvious that you have not read the material and/or if you fail to fully
participate in in-class discussions, this will be counted against the
“participation” portion of your grade. A
schedule of required reading can be found in the class schedule.
2) Read/watch any assigned articles or videos on the
blog for the week. In-class discussions will cover material
included on the blog.
3) A personal sketchbook/journal is an
important requirement of this course. Sketchbooks
should be highly personalized and relevant only to the work done in this
class. Specific requirements are noted
below. Sketchbooks should be considered
works of art in and of themselves.
Design each page as you would any composition. Be particularly mindful of page-to-page
relationships.
Sketchbooks (at
minimum) should include:
o
Sketchbook
Assignment #1 (Due September16)
o
Make
a list of 10 artists that influence/inspire you or your work. No less than 5 of these artists must be alive and currently working. List each artist along with a few sentences
about WHY that artist is important to you.
Have images (preferably in color) of work by each artist. Devote an entire page in your sketchbook to
each of the 10 artists.
o
Sketchbook
Assignment #2 (Due September 24)
o
Make
a list of at least 20 things/events/ideas/concepts/interests/etc. that you
would like to express in your own work.
Include images of work by artists who you see doing these things. Make your own sketches & thumbnails (it’s
ok if they are rough) to accentuate or demonstrate what you’re trying to get
at, or write out your thoughts in an attempt to get it more specific and
concrete.
o
These
20 things don’t all have to be complex, socially-conscious, spiritual, or
abstract. However, they DO need to be
specific. For example, if you were to
write, “I want to make people feel hopeful,” this would be too broad of a
statement.
o
Arrange
this list on as many pages as it takes to accomplish it proficiently, but keep
in mind your page-to-page relationships and design as you work and organize
your lists, images, compositions, prose, poetry, etc.
o
Studies
and research for final series.
o
Thumbnail
sketches of installation ideas.
o
Notes
on lectures, discussions, and one-on-one meetings, including names of artists
mentioned.
o
Miscellaneous
notes on drawings, discussions, articles, artist, reproductions, etc. relevant
to the class in general.
o
Write about the
work you are doing in class and out: about the
process your discovering, about your successes and failures, enthusiasms and
frustrations, about the changes that occur in your work and in yourself over
the course of the semester, etc.
The Sketchbook will reviewed on specific listed
days and will be submitted and graded at finals.
4) There will be two required written documents: an
Art Criticism Article and an Artist’s Statement. The dates for these exams are listed below.
Attendance Policy:
o
If
you miss SIX classes you will
immediately fail the course. Nine
absences means too much information and work has been missed for anyone to
legitimately pass the course. The only excused absences are for students who
must miss class due to approved scheduled university
extracurricular activities. Medical
absences can be discussed on an individual basis, but it is not guaranteed that
they will be excused.
o
If
you are unable to submit an assignment on its due date because of an
approved scheduled university extracurricular activity, that assignment
can be submitted at the beginning of the next class without penalization.
o
If
you are having trouble with the course or have problems outside the class that
are affecting your performance please talk to me about it so that we can work
out a solution. Do not wait until it is too late.
I will be glad to help you in any way I can.
o
Lateness
is not acceptable. It is disruptive and
frankly disrespectful not only to me but to your fellow students to enter the
classroom in the middle of a lecture, demonstration, or critique. Three late arrivals to class will count as an
absence.
o
All
students will work for the entire class period.
The class runs from 9:30 to 10:45 p.m.
Students will not leave the classroom unless excused. I am tolerant of discussion among students
during class to a point. However, excessive
talking, walking about or leaving the room will be noted in my grade book and counted
against your final grade.
o
If
you miss an assignment because of lateness or absence get it from another
student. If you then have questions come and see me.
Methods of Assessment/Evaluation/Grading System:
Final grades
reflect accomplishment in three areas:
o
Class
performance/participation in discussions/preparedness/attitude (30%)
o
Sketchbook
(20%)
o
Written
Documents (10%)
o
Final
Exhibtioin (40%)
Final grades
will be determined by:
o
Consistency
of effort and preparedness in class.
o
Participation
in all class discussions.
o
Development
of skills in seeing and thinking.
o
Thoughtful
writing that relates to the concepts explored in the course.
o
Quality
work and craftsmanship.
o
Use
of critical thinking and communicating skills.
o
General
attitude.
In-class
participation grade definitions:
o
At
the end of each class period, your participation in the class will be evaluated
and entered into the gradebook.
o
This
evaluation will be on a scale from 0-3.
o
At
the end of the semester, these numbers will be averaged to calculate the
“participation” portion of your grade.
o
Definition
of assessment numbers:
·
3
– Excellent participation. Student was
fully prepared for class, participated in discussions both by offering opinions
and giving feedback to others. Student
worked for the entire class period and was productive. Student exceeded the minimum expectations of
participation.
·
2
– Adequate participation. Student met
the minimum expectations of participation.
Student was prepared for class, participated adequately in discussions,
and was generally productive. The
student may have remained quiet at times during discussions or short lapses in
work, but did an overall good job.
·
1
– Poor participation. Student did not
meet the minimum expectations of participation.
The student did one or two of the following: was not adequately prepared
for class, engaged very little in discussions, completed very little work, did
not fully read the material, or came without adequate materials.
·
0
– No participation. Student did not
participate. The student was not
prepared for class at all, did not engage in discussions, did no work in class,
did not read the material, and brought no materials to class.
Individual
assignment grade definitions:
o
A - Excellent.
Assignment is completely and creatively fulfilled. No significant problems.
o
B - All aspects
of assignment are completely fulfilled and well done. A few problems remain to be solved.
o
C - Work
fulfills the requirements of the assignment to the letter and is generally
successful. Work is completely
finished. Craftsmanship is
acceptable. Some problems remain to be
solved.
o
D - Work is not
yet completely finished or has obvious technical or conceptual flaws.
o
F - Unacceptable
in technique or craft or concept (or any combination of these).
o
X - Assignment
not handed in. This assignment may not
be re-submitted.
Final letter
grade definitions:
o
A – The student
earning an A has shown great effort and near-perfect success in all aspects of
the class. Only students absolutely
excelling far above expectations will be awarded this grade.
o
B - A very good
job. The person earning this grade has
worked very hard; has pushed his/herself to go beyond the mere fulfillment of
each problem and has shown strong advances in technical and conceptual skills.
o
C - The student
earning a C has fulfilled the requirements of the course, has a positive
attitude, worked hard, shown growth in skills and thinking, and did an overall
good job.
o
D - Below
par. This grade indicates that the
student has obvious difficulties with basic drawing skills and/or trouble in
fulfilling the requirements of the class for some other reason.
o
F - This grade
indicates a severe problem in one or more of the following categories: lack of interest, bad attitude, failure to
complete assignments, excess lateness, or absence.
Clinical/Laboratory/Field Experiences:
None
Critical Thinking Statement:
Critical
thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to
improving it. In this class we will
raise vital questions and problems, formulate them clearly and precisely;
gather and assess relevant information, by using abstract ideas to interpret it
effectively.
General Requirements:
o
You
are required to bring a notebook for writing down lecture notes.
Make a habit of carrying it with you every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
and DON’T LOSE IT. If you choose to utilize your laptop for
taking notes see the “prohibitions” listed below.
o
All students
are expected to participate during class discussions. Failing to engage in discussions will be
noted in the gradebook and counted against the “class performance” percentage
of your grade.
o
Prohibited from
my classroom:
Cell phones (you may have it pocketed, but silence it and DO NOT ANSWER IT), texting,
any device with headphones, tobacco of any kind, drugs or alcohol, Internet
social networking sites, and laziness.
Class
Schedule
Week
1 (Jan
12-14)
Introduction
Discussion of
course organization & requirements
Lectures: Conceptual
Art, The Artist’s Process
Outside
Assignment:
o
Begin
reading Why Art Cannot Be Taught
o
Begin
sketchbook assignments.
*MLK
HOLIDAY – JAN. 19*
Week
2 (Jan
21)
READ WHY ART
CANNOT BE TAUGHT, INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER 1
Breaking down
preconceived notions of art, art education, and art production:
o
Reading
and discussing Why Art Cannot Be Taught.
o
Examining
the ever-changing nature of Art and Art Education.
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
sketchbook assignments
o
Continue
reading Why Art Cannot Be Taught
Week 3 (Jan 26-28)
READ WACBT, CHAPTER
3
Breaking down
preconceived notions of art, art education, and art production:
o
Reading
and discussing Why Art Cannot Be Taught
o
Examining
the ever-changing nature of Art and Art Education
o
Learning
about the contemporary art world from established artists.
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
sketchbook assignments
o
Continue
reading Why Art Cannot Be Taught
Week
4 (Feb
2-4)
READ WACBT
CHAPTER 4
Breaking down
preconceived notions of art, art education and art production:
o
Reading
and discussing Why Art Cannot Be Taught
o
Learning
about the contemporary art world from
established artists
o
Discussing
critiques: How do they work? How
effective are they? How can a student or
an artist learn from critiques?
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
sketchbook assignments.
Week
5 (Feb
9-11)
SKETCHBOOK ASSIGNMENT #1 DUE (FEB 9)
Discussion of
artists you’ve chosen.
o
Be
prepared to explain your choses in terms other than “they’re cool.”
o
Give
careful consideration and research to each artist.
Exploring the
history and importance of art criticism
Outside
Assignment:
o
Read
the articles handed out to you in class and posted on the blog.
o
Complete
Sketchbook Assignment #2
Week
6 (Feb
16-18)
SKETCHBOOK ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE (FEB 16)
Discussion of
the items you have chosen to list
o
Be prepared to talk about your decision in
thoughtful terms.
How does one
judge art?
Reading and
writing art criticism.
Outside
assignments:
o
Find
2 examples of what you consider good art criticism, bring copies to class.
o
Write
an art criticism article.
Week
7 (Feb
23-25)
PRINTED ARTICLES DUE (FEB 23)
ART CRITICISM ARTICLE DUE (FEB 25)
Reading and
writing art criticism
What is an
artist’s statement?
Outside
assignments:
o
Search
for good artist’s statements, bring examples to class.
o
Begin
Reading Art & Fear
Week
8 (Mar
2-4)
READ ART
& FEAR, “INTRODUCTION”, “THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM”, and “ART & FEAR”
BRING EXAMPLES OF ARTIST’S STATEMENTS TO CLASS (MAR
2)
Discussion of
artist’s statements
Discuss the
readings
Discuss
expectations for the final exhibition series
Outside
Assignment:
o
Write
a preliminary artist’s statement
o
Decide
which particular interests and concepts from your list you want to explore in
your work.
o
Block
out ideas for the final series in the sketchbook (writing, thumbnails,
installation plans, etc.)
o
Continue
Reading Art & Fear
*SPRING
BREAK March 9-13*
Week
9 (Mar
16-18)
PRELIMINARY ARTIST’S STATEMENT DUE (MAR 16)
PLANS FOR FINAL EXHIBITION DUE (MAR 18)
Discuss
artist’s statements
Discuss plans
for final exhibition and refine concepts
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
reading Art & Fear
o
Begin
work on final exhibition series
Week
10 (Mar
23-25)
READ ART
& FEAR, “FEARS ABOUT YOURSELF”, “FEARS ABOUT OTHERS”, and “FINDING YOUR
WORK”
Discuss
readings.
One-on-one
meetings with instructor
In-class work
on final series
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
reading Art & Fear
o
Continue
work on final exhibition series
Week
11 (Mar
30-April 2)
READ ART
& FEAR, “THE OUTSIDE WORLD”, “THE ACADEMIC WORLD, and “CONCEPTUAL
WORLDS”
Discuss
readings
One-on-one
meetings with instructor
In-class work
on final series
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
work on final exhibition series
o
Bring
in-progress work to class for critique
*GOOD
FRIDAY APRIL 3*
Week
12 (Apr
6-8)
IN-PROGRESS CRITIQUE OF WORK (APR 6)
Editing,
critiquing, and defending your work
One-on-one
meetings with instructor
In-class work
on final series
Outside
Assignment:
o
Continue
work on final exhibition
o
Write
a first draft artist’s statement to accompany the series
Week
13 (Apr
13-15)
ARTIST’S STATEMENT 1ST DRAFT DUE (APR
13)
Discuss and
edit artist’s statements
One-on-one
meetings with instructor
In-class work
on final series
Outside
Assignment:
o
Complete
final exhibition series
o
Write
final draft of artist’s statement
Week 14 (Apr 20-22)
FINAL EXHIBITION SERIES WORK & ARTIST’S
STATEMENT DUE (APR 22)
One-on-one
meetings with instructor
In-class work
on final exhibition
Week 15 (Apr 27-29)
Class will not meet this week. Instead, we will choose a day and time to
install the exhibition.
Learning
professional practices of gallery installation and exhibition.
*THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY November 28-29*
FINALS
WEEK
FINAL DEFENSE AND CRITIQUE, SKETCHBOOKS DUE Thursday,
May 5, 3:30 PM
Month
And Year Of Syllabus Revision:
January 2015
Bethel
University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students,
including those with documented disabilities.
If you have a diagnosed disability or if you believe that you have a
disability that might require reasonable accommodation in this course, please
contact Sandy Louden. Bethel University
Policy states that it is the responsibility of students to contact instructors
to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading, experiences
and assignments.
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