CONTENTS

A. Class Overview
B. Schedule Overview
C. Full Syllabus

Full Syllabus

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Format
3. Points & Grades
4. Other Details
5. Activities
6. Interviews

Art 110: Introduction to the Visual Arts

1. INTRODUCTION

■ Summer 2015
■ Section 1: Class No.10381 – 100% Online Course
■ Instructor: Glenn Zucman

OFFICE HOURS
■ 24/7 on beacharts.slack.com

CONTACT
■ 24/7 on beacharts.slack.com
■ If all else fails: glenn.zucman@csulb.edu

ART110 – VISION
In 1439 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. In 1991 Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. 40 years ago Marshall McLuhan said that our classrooms were (I’m paraphrasing a bit) too Gutenberg and not enough Berners-Lee. For Summer 2015, Art110 will try to be a little less Gutenberg and a little more Berners-Lee.

This course will cover 3 million years of Art History: from a proto-human moment in a distant South African cave, to the autonomous, post-human, Images That Think out somewhere in cyber-space. Along this journey we will consider the constantly evolving nature of human consciousness and how our consciousness is revealed & redefined through art.

PREREQUISITES
• None.

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this course is to familiarize the student with the practice, appreciation, and cultural interactions of art across the ages and across the globe. This course will survey the entire sweep of history from ancient art to the contemporary moment. Students will be introduced to the terms, principles, methods, theories and practices of art.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• Describe some of the styles, ideas, and issues found in the Western canon.
• Understand and articulate some of the ways that art functions vis-a-vis human culture
• Build upon their direct, introductory experiences, in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Animation, and Data Visualization in both Physical and Virtual worlds
• Articulate their understanding of the relationship between art and: culture, speech, creativity, expression.
• Describe the role of the artist in culture / society.

2. FORMAT OF THE COURSE

Each week this course includes:
1. Art Activity
2. “Art Talk” Video
3. “Artist of the Week” Video

Art Discussion
Each week you’ll discuss the The Art Talk & Artist OTW on our beacharts.slack.com discussion site.

Art Blogging
Each week you’ll post a blog post documenting the week’s Art Activity and presenting your research & analysis of the Artist OTW.

DUE
• Discussion Posts by Thursday Midnight
• Blog Posts by Sunday Midnight

LATE POLICY
• There will not be any late work accepted for Summer 2015.
• You may do activities & blog posts early.
• You hopefully can participate in discussions with a smart phone from most places on earth.

TEXTBOOK
• Your Mobile Device

ATTENDANCE
Participation online is crucial. Obviously as a 100% online course, you don’t ever have to be in any specific place or at any specific time.

3. Points & Grades

POINTS
• 11 Activities x 25 = 275 points
• Activity #12 is 53 = 53 points
• 12 Artist OTW Blogs x 20 = 240
• 12 Artist OTW Discussions x 18 points (3 discussion comments x 6 points) = 216 points
• 12 Art Talk Discussions x 18 points (3 discussion comments x 6 points) = 216 points

Course Total Possible = 1,000 points.

GRADES
900 points = A
800 points = B
700 points = C
600 points = D
599 & below = F

EXTRA CREDIT
We have 2 extra credit opportunities this semester, each worth +40 points.

Wk 1: Domain Name
When you make your website on WordPress.com you can either use a free domain name like “me.wordpress.com” or you can pay about $18 for your own domain name, like “me.com“. I think you are a lot better served by having your own domain name. At the end of summer we’ll be turning our Class Websites into Personal ePortfolios that I hope will be valuable to your career for a long time to come. Your own domain name makes it easier and more professional for anyone: friends, family, and HR Directors, to get to your website. Also I think your own domain name gives you more of a sense of ownership of your website. Even though that’s what I think, it’s your choice. If you do buy a domain name, what should you get? Again, your choice! I strongly encourage just getting your name. It’s probably the best in the long run. If you have a common name, you might use a middle initial or a nickname.

Wk 5: Painting
The best place to paint is at the Venice Beach Legal Art Walls. Just about everyone who has ever gone has had a great time. Yes it’s far. Yes, I know you hate to drive. So instead of requiring you to go there, it’s your choice. You can paint on a piece of cardboard or plywood in your backyard or anyplace that’s legal for full credit. If you can make it out to Venice, I’ll give you extra credit, 25+40.

RUBRIC: Activities
Each Activity starts off with a perfect 25, and points are deducted from that if necessary:
1. No Photos: -5
2. Poor Post Naming: -5
3. Too short: -5
4. Not analytic enough: -5

RUBRIC: Artist OTW
Each Artist Blog Post starts off with a perfect 20, and points are deducted from that if necessary:
1. No Photos: -4
2. Poor Post Naming: -4
3. Too short: -4
4. Not analytic enough: -4

PHOTOS
Photos of what? For your Activities, document your process! For Artist Blog Posts, see what you can find online. For most artists you should find many images of their work as well as images of the artist.

POST NAMES
What is “good” post naming?
• Wk2 – Activity – Plaster Casting
• Wk2 – Artist – Ana Mendieta

ANALYTIC WRITING
3 & 4 are a little subjective. But the idea here is that one paragraph that only states what the activity was or bare basics of the interviews is kind of short and not really analytic. 3-4 paragraphs each of decent length where you talk about your Activity Process, or Interview Conversations, and definitely try to analyze the ideas, is great!

By “analyze” I mean rather than restating facts, you try to make those ideas your own by seeing what truth you find in them, or alternative thoughts you have, or other artists that come to mind. Maybe this is art you’ve never even known about or thought about before: does it make sense? Does it expand your perspective on art and the practice of artists? Do you reject that this work even is art? Does it resonate with personal experiences in your own life or things you’ve seen in the world?

 

4. OTHER DETAILS

Incompletes
The Art Department grants “incompletes” rarely and only for the most extreme conditions.

Withdrawal Deadlines
• Drop without ‘W’ deadline Jun 8
• Withdrawal with ‘W’ deadline Aug 7

Accommodation
CSULB will make reasonable accommodations for any student who has a disability. It is the student’s responsibility to notify me in advance of the need for special accommodations. This course utilizes many activities and many tools. Most of you should have no trouble with any of this, however if anyone has challenges with any course aspect for any reason, please be in touch ASAP and we can work to find suitable alternatives. A sincere effort should result in real learning and a good grade, so never be afraid to ask for any accommodations you need, but do make a sincere effort.

FUN!
If you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong! Art is, or should be, a fun, interesting, exciting, and enjoyable subject. Art offers pleasure to the viewer, consolation to the distraught, and wisdom to the seeker. Art will enrich your leisure time, resonate with your life, and offer surprising relevance to almost any career field you choose!