Approved by Faculty Senate April 13, 2009
(Art 110) Experiencing Art
Stark Hall-Lecture
Room 103 (Tuesday 11:30-1:30)
101 E.Wabasha Hall-Studio
Room 323 (Thursday 9:15-11:15 and 11:30-1:30)
Instructor: Mike Knox
Office phone: 474-7867
Office hours: ½ hour before and after class time or by appointment, office room 303 Wabasha Hall.
COURSE SYLLABUS
TEXTBOOK:
The Art of Seeing
Zelanski, Paul and Fisher, Mary Pat.
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Introductory course for the non-major that includes an experiential, hands-on, art-making component. Elements and principles of design, styles, cultural and gender contexts, materials and techniques, content, meaning, and expression are all investigated in a non-chronological historical and contemporary context.
MAJOR FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
The main focus of this course is to give non-art majors a basic background in the world that surrounds them through the means of making and analyzing art. Materials and methods will be explored as well as basic language used to communicate an artistic idea. Classes are divided into two sections: a lecture section and a studio section. Lecture time will involve lecture, class discussion, class participation and the use of visual examples in the form of digital images and film clips.
The following objectives address the learning outcomes for Fine and Performing Arts courses in the University Studies Program.
a.explore the language, skills, and materials of the visual arts
This course develops observational and communicative skills, hand and eye coordination, and the understanding of various art mediums in both 2-D and 3-D. These are accomplished through various projects and lectures allowing the student to be self-reflective on who they are as an individual and how they can express that in the arts. They learn art terminology to describe their work and the environment they live in.
b.use the methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes
Students are continuously engaging their minds in the creative process through a means of making art while editing, designing, and making basic visual decisions based upon the development of art studio skills. Skill development in experiencing art is stressed while making it clear that the creative process involves thinking and hard work. It comes with exercising both the mind and the body through the art making process.
c.understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression
Class and studio learning involves part lecture and discussion that exposes students to various cultural and gender based artist both contemporary and historically. Material in this area is given through the instructor’s presentations, outside workshops, gallery visits, research projects as well as the students own work and interaction with the topic.
d.engage in reflective analysis on their own work or interpretive performance and respond to works of others
Anytime a student involves themselves in the activity of making art they are considering their own performance and skill level. They are pushed to step back from their work and evaluate what it is they are representing both technically and emotionally. They are questioned about their work and forced to question, not only their own work but the work of colleagues and professional artists. Group and individual critiques run throughout the course where language, communication, and observational acuteness are developed.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
A. Completion of all assigned projects. (I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE WORK)
B. Participation in group and individual critiques.
C. Keeping a sketchbook
D. Consistent class attendance. Three absences may result in lowered letter grade.
GRADING:
Sketchbook 100
4 projects 400
Quizzes 100
Final 50
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
sketchbook/journal
scissors and box cutter
appropriate clothing and shoes
lock for locker