Syllabus
Instructor Information
Adjunct Professor Dan Fergus (call me “Fergus”)
Adjunct Office: F3380 (Totino)
Spring Office hours: Mon, Wed: 9am–10:30am
E-mail
: dcfergus[at]unwsp.edu (or) use this form
Meeting Times and Place
- Term: Fall 2018, Quad 2 (Oct 24–Dec 18)
- Time: MWF, 11:25am–12:30pm
- Location: Graham Commons G115
Course Description
An introductory study of art concepts and appreciation. The course covers the elements and principles of design as an entry into discussion surrounding the meaning and purpose of visual imagery. Concepts emerge from the content areas of aesthetics, art history, and critical inquiry.
- Credits: 2
- Prerequisite: none
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to :
- Define art and related vocabulary (Knowledge Level)
- Identify and distinguish between various artistic movements and significant contributing artists (Comprehension Level)
- Demonstrate vocabulary related to the elements and principles of art (Application Level)
- Analyze works of art using basic methodologies (Analysis Level)
- Formulate and explain the value of art within a culture (Synthesis Level)
- Compare and contrast artworks as an exercise in “seeing” (Analysis Level)
Course Structure
Class presentations and formal lectures on the principles of art are the primary form of presentation. Some supplementary videos, online readings, and other resources will be used and can be found on this class’ Moodle site (or links to said resources). Some research and library access may be beneficial and essential in gathering further data in regards to the final project.
Disclaimer
This course is about historical art—primarily western art. Throughout history, various works of art have often been seen as provacative and controversal. As such, students may find a some of the works shown in this class to be challenging—some works will contain nudity, others violent or politically charged imagery, and some will reflect non-Christian points of view. When I present these pieces, it should not be seen as an endorsement; rather the goal is to inform and encourage discussion about the cultural context and significance of these and other similar works.
Required Materials
- Notebook, pens and/or pencils
- An awake an alert mind
- The majority of the reading material for this class can be found at Trivium (http://arthistoryproject.com/)
- Links to additional readings and materials (videos, etc.) will be provided as needed on Moodle.
- Some additional materials will be needed, but will be self evident when they are required. More details will be revealed as we proceed through the quad
Web Resources
Course content, assignments, schedules, supplementary resources, and this syllabus are available through the Moodle site. Students should check the Moodle site at least 2-3 times each week, preferably prior to each class session. Many assignments are available exclusively on-line. Students who do not directly engage with the course site will likely fail this course.
Note that new assignments, readings, and other resources will appear/become available on Moodle throughout the semester; for example—just because you don't see an assignment listed for week 5 now does not mean there won't be one once week 5 rolls around. Be vigilant.
Student Responsibilities
The student is expected to come to every class with the appropriate materials needed to participate that day. This includes a notebook, pen and/or pencils, text book (when appropriate), and whatever additional materials are required to complete the in-class assignment. The student is also expected to perform in-class activities with rigor. Additionally, students are responsible for reading, understanding and appropriately responding to this course syllabus, other course materials, and instructions from the professor. All required course materials will be delivered in class and/or on Moodle. Other supporting information beneficial to the course is available elsewhere on-line. Students are responsible for all pertinent college policies as found in the college catalog and student handbook. Digital university catalogs and the student handbook can be obtained on the ROCK.
Cell Phones
Unless otherwise noted, cell Phones are not allowed in my classroom unless they are silent and out of sight. Cell phones must be turned-off or placed in vibrate mode, and left in backpacks, bags, purses, or pockets. If I see one, I will confiscate it for the balance of the class. There is one exception: when we reach the creative project portion of the course, you will be permitted to use cell phones to communicate with fellow group members, to do research, and to photograph/document your project.
Earbuds/headphones
This class is an earbud-free zone. Wearing earbuds or headphones in class during lectures and discussions shows disrespect for the professor and fellow students. Students are not allowed to wear or otherwise have visible earbuds or other headphones. Make sure you remove and put-away any and all earbuds and other headgear before you cross the threshold of the classroom. If I see any, I will confiscate them. And if you do not immediately turn them over to me when I ask for them, you will receive an "F" as a class participation grade and asked to leave.
Laptops
Laptop computers are permitted in class as long as they are being used for classwork—taking notes, class-related research, using design applications to complete projects where appropriate, etc. Laptop computers should not be used for social media, emailing, game playing, streaming sporting events, fantasy football, etc. during class. If I find that you are misusing your laptop privileges, I will confiscate the device for the duration of that day’s class, and not allow you to use a laptop in future classes.
Attendance Policy
This class is rigorous and heavy on lectures and class discussions, which focus on concepts, vocabulary and theories related to the history and the making of art. Attendance is mandatory for success. Rather than take a roll call at the beginning of the class (which is time-consuming with such a large group), students will be given a lecture guide at the start of each class with several blanks they will have to fill-in by paying attention to the content of the lecture/discussion. These guides will be collected at class end and used to determine attendance.
This class meets a total of 22 times during the quad; as such:
- Three or more unexcused absences (over 10%) will result in a one letter grade reduction to your final grade.
- Five or more unexcused absences (over 20%) will result course failure.
Excused absences included illness, hospitalization, legal obligations, family tragedy, university sports commitments, and the like. However, for an absence to be considered excused, the student must communicate with me prior to the absence (in person or via email), and present pertinent documentation (in person or via email) no later than his/her return to class.
- Note that missing 9 or more classes (regardless of whether the absences were excused and unexcused or both) will result in failure of the course.
In addition, coming late to class counts as half an absence—so if you're late six or more times your final grade will drop one letter. Note that I will take extenuating circumstances into consideration—I will likely be much more lenient on snowy mornings, for example.
Students are responsible for all material discussed in class whether or not they attended that day. A student who is absent is expected to get any missed notes, handouts, or assignments from fellow students, and/or on-line resources as soon as possible. Please don't expect me to repeat a lecture or class demonstration. Students who miss class are still expected to complete all projects on time and pass all tests.
Plagiarism
To plagiarize is “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own” (Webster’s Dictionary). In addition to outright copying from another source with an intent to deceive, plagiarism can also be:
- Failure to use quotation marks or properly formatted block quotes when quoting;
- Failure to make a thorough paraphrase when attempting to put the idea in one’s own words;
- Failure to give the source of the information quoted.
I—and the university—take plagiarism very seriously. Students found to have plagiarized material from another source (including other students) will at the very least receive a failing grade on the assignment with no opportunity to make it up. In addition, if I feel the transgression is serious enough, the culpable student will be given an immediate “F” for the class. Furthermore, that student will be subject to additional disciplinary action from the university (probation, or even suspension). For more information on the university policies regarding plagiarism, see the Northwestern Student Handbook.
Any student who aids another student in an act of plagiarism—allowing the fellow student to copy his or her work without citation, for example—will also be penalized for cheating and receive an “F” for the project, and possibly an immediate failing grade for the course.
CAPSS/DOSS ADA Statement
UNW students requesting academic accommodations in association with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are directed to notify the Disabilities Office for Support Services (DOSS) immediately to begin the application process. CAPSS also provides the following: writing and subject tutoring, advocating, transitional skill building, academic coaching (organization, time management, test taking, etc.).
Contact CAPSS for more information: CAPSS@unwsp.edu, or 651-628-3241, or room N4232 [Revised 8/17]
Assignments
Your final grade will be based on three criteria: daily lecture notes, forum posts, and the final creative project.
Lecture guides/notes (20% of final grade)
At the start of most classes students will be given a lecture guide with several questions and/or statements with blanks. Students must fill-in the answers and/or blanks with information gleaned from the lecture/discussion. These guides will be collected at class end of each class and graded for accuracy. As of now there are 12 lectures scheduled, and I will drop the lowest 2 lecture guide grades (which is helpful if you are sick and miss a lecture—you can use one of the “drops” and not be penalized for missing that day’s lecture). Note that these guides will also used to determine attendance (see Attendance section above).
Forum posts (40% of final grade)
Every week I will post one or two questions or discussion starters as a forum on Moodle. Students must respond to my initial post with posts of their own. In addition, students will often be required to read and respond to other students’ posts. Posts will be graded according to the forum rubric .
| Criteria | Excellent |
Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Forum Post Content |
Post is factually correct, reflective, thoughtful, and substantive; it goes into great depth aznd cites examples to bolster the writer's argument. |
Post information is factually correct, but lacks full development of concept or thought; it's a bit thin. |
Post is fairly superficial and does not add substantive information to the discussion OR contains factual errors or inconsistencies. |
Post is is off-topic, incorrect, or irrelevant to the discussion. |
| Clarity & Mechanics | Post is clear, concise, well-written, and is free of grammatical and spelling errors. |
Post adds valuable information to the discussion but with minor clarity or mechanics errors (spelling, grammar, etc.). |
Post contains numerous errors in clarity and/or mechanics (spelling, grammar, writing style, etc.) |
Post is overly long, or far too short, may be disorganized, may contains multiple errors, and/or may be inappropriate.. |
| Follow-Up Comments (where required) | Comment offers thoughtful and in-depth analysis of another's post; it extends meaningful discussion by building on previous posts. |
Comment elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or observation. |
Comment is a rather shallow contribution to the discussion (e.g., agrees or disagrees without much explanation); does not enrich the discussion. |
Comment is off-topic, rude, inappropriate, or missing. |
Creative project (40% of final grade)
The final three weeks of the class will be devoted to the completion of a (hopefully fun) creative project. More details will follow.
Due Dates
Projects, assignments, forum posts, etc, with a stated deadline (due date) are due on the date and at the time specified and no later. Assignments turned-in late will lose points for every day they are late (unless I give you an extension due to extenuating circumstances). All work must be turned in by the end of the final scheduled class.
Grades
Project grades and comments (where applicable) will be posted to Moodle. It is the student's responsibility to check Moodle and review his/her grades. If a grade of "0" (zero) is listed, it is most likely because I did not received the project, or it is largely incomplete. It is the student's responsibility to make sure his/her work has been completed and received by the instructor.
Schedule
See the course page on Moodle for the class schedule. Not that the schedule is subject to change, so check Moodle often!