UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA - School of Art: Studio
Course Title: Visual Language
Course Number: STDO 1410 (section A03)
Credit Hours: 3 hrs
Instructor: Derek Brueckner
Email: derek.brueckner@umanitoba.ca
(weekday email replies will take at least 24hrs and on
weekends 48hrs)
Office:
395 Tache Hall
Office Hours: preferably before class or schedule another
mutually agreeable time.
Visual Language Course Website
Pertinent information from course will be posted on
the course website. Updates will be made on a regular basis. It is advised that
students check and consult the website on a regular basis. If students have questions
regarding course website information/assignments print out text and consult
instructor with text in question
Course schedule: Wednesday 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm
ART Lab 360
Hours of out-of-class work:
6 hours per week minimum
Course
Description
An introduction to communication in contemporary
visual art through traditional and experimental 2D and 3D modes. Prerequisite
for further study in fine arts studio courses. May not be held with STDO 1200
(054.120) or STDO 1220 (054.122).
Course content and assignments will explore:
·
Investigation of a variety of line and shapes
·
Light, shadow and value
·
Colour applications and colour systems and theories in relation to 2D and 3D materials
·
Space (Optical and 3 Dimensional)
·
Investigations of a variety of textures (illusionistic and tactile surfaces)
·
Logics of Composition that include analytical and intuitive processes of composing 2D and 3D elements
·
Considerations of scale in relation to composition and 3 Dimensional space
· Introduction of historical and non-traditional art materials, which could potentially include interdisciplinary approaches, and/or non-euro centric ideas (i.e.: technology and or current issues)
Course
Objectives/Outcomes
The
objectives of this Open Studio course are:
· The purpose of this course is to focus on formal design and concepts in relation to historical and contemporary Art. Through this course it is anticipated that participants will be able to enhance skills with 2D and 3D materials. At the conclusion of the course participants will have broadened their visual awareness,
curiosity and visual literacy as well as conceptual and critical thinking. Overall participants will learn to develop their unique vision through intuitive and analytical processes of experimentation, research and discovery.
· Through research of various: texts, art examples and art processes
people will progressively learn to expand a studio practice that emphasizes
developed concepts synthesized with an experimental art material practice.
· Overall the studio work will strive for independent research, which uses
a hybrid of materials, ideas and eventually involving interdisciplinary methods
to resolve each project at the highest formal and conceptual levels possible.
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Instructional
Methods
Methods
of instruction will include the presenting of art examples (artists and student
work), hard copy and online assignment texts and images, class discussions,
individual discussions with students while studio work is in progress, one on
one critiques, group critiques of completed work. See syllabus/course schedule
for dates of group critiques.
During each in class work-day, each person’s art
making processes of projects in progress will be an important in class
contribution to the course. These contributions will be an important part of
the learning experience for each person in the course. In class informal
discussions with each other will be important.
Art making processes will entail thorough research
of ideas and materials, an open mind, curiosity, risk taking and
desire/confidence to resolve problems. Process will also involve a balance
between craftsmanship and allowing for intuition, “mistakes” and unexpected
directions to take place.
Often new discoveries during research while
projects are in progress will cause the choices of concepts and materials to
evolve and expand. Through this
evolutionary process sometimes people will need to be open minded to take
unexpected directions from the original plans. Often unexpected directions can
be key to eventually clarifying subject matter and direction of
thematic/metaphorical content at a later point in the art making process.
Overall
instructional methods are used to facilitate each student’s independent
research and art development in order to discover the power of their unique
vision within the parameters/objectives of each assignment.
For more
information regarding evaluation
criteria such as percentage breakdowns and how evaluation criteria will be
applied to each assignment submitted see “Course
Percentages/Weights of Visual Language Assignments” and “Evaluation/Grading Criteria
for Each Assignment” sections in this syllabus.
Recommended
Readings
A separate bibliography will be handed out later.
Materials List
See Supply List given in class
E-mail
University communications will only be sent to a student’s U of M
account. The full policy is available at umanitoba.ca/governance.
It is mandatory that all
students maintain and regularly monitor a University of Manitoba email account.
Critical information from the registrar, instructors, and the School of Art
will be relayed to you through the Web mail, Jump, and Aurora electronic
notification systems.
To get your free U of M
account visit: http://umanitoba.ca/computing/ist/accounts/claimid.html.
For more information, visit:
http://umanitoba.ca/computing/ist/.
Students without personal
computers can use computers in Information Services and Technology labs in a
variety of locations on campus including the Dafoe Library. More information is
available in your orientation package or by calling IST at 474-8600. It is your sole responsibility
to continually monitor your class site(s) for information such as class
announcements and email correspondence.
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Syllabus/Course schedule
Week
|
Date
|
Topic
|
Resources
|
Assignment
|
|
1
|
Sept
13
|
Introduction of Course: Presentation of Course Outline, Supply List and
Assignment
1: DIY Black and White Abstract Booklet Assignment
|
|||
2
|
Sept 20
|
DIY Black and White Abstract Booklet Assignment working with assignment in class
|
|||
3
|
Sept 27
|
DIY
Black and White Abstract Booklet Assignment Group Critique (all pages completed, with
something presented in progress regarding binding)
|
|||
4
|
Oct 4
|
Assignment 2: Double Primary Colour Wheel Assignment
and Grid Assignment
|
|||
5
|
Oct 11
|
Group Critique Assignment 2: Double Primary Colour Wheel Assignment
and Grid Assignment
Presentation for Assignment 3: Constructing
Modular/Collapsible Box Project
|
|||
6
|
Oct 18 Minneapolis Field Trip – (Work on
Assignment 2 if not participating on field trip)
|
||||
7
|
Oct
25
|
Portfolio Submission for Documentation and Final
Evaluation
Presentation of completed Assignments 1 & 2 (2A
& 2B) for Documentation and Final Evaluation
Work on
Assignment 3: Constructing
Modular/Collapsible Box Project
|
|||
8
|
Nov
1
|
Work on
Assignment 3: Constructing
Modular/Collapsible Box Project
|
|||
9
|
Nov
8
|
Work
on Assignment 3: Constructing
Modular/Collapsible Box Project
|
|||
10
|
Nov
15
|
Assignment
4: Painting/Depiction of
the Box Assignment Interior
|
|||
11
|
Nov
22
|
Group
Critique of Assignments 3 & 4.
|
|||
12
|
Nov
29
|
Group
Critique of Assignments 3 & 4. Evaluation of course by students (SEEQs)
|
|||
13
|
Dec
6
|
Portfolio Submission
for Documentation
and Final Evaluation
Presentation of completed
Assignments 3 & 4 for Documentation and Final Evaluation.
|
|||
NOTE Regarding Deadlines:
1) Any
work not presented during documentation
and final evaluation will receive a zero.
2) Any
assignment missing or incomplete during group
critiques will receive one letter
grade deduction.
3)
Missing any group critiques or documentation for the evaluation of work in a
studio course is equivalent to missing an exam or test in lecture courses.
|
|||||
Course Percentages/Weights of Visual
Language Assignments
Assignment 1: DIY Black and White Abstract Booklet Assignment 27%
Assignment 2A: Colour Wheel Assignment
5%
Assignment 2B: Grid Assignment 18%
Assignment 3: Modular/Collapsible
Box Assignment 27%
Assignment 4: Painting
of Box Interior Assignment 23%
Assignment texts and assignment examples on Visual
Language course website
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Evaluation/Grading Criteria for Each Assignment
Each course assignment will
comprise of the following criteria breakdowns:
Layers of Concepts/Themes 20%
Formal/Visual
Language/Technical Skill 60% %
Synthesis of the Concepts
with Formal Visual Language_____________20%
Evaluation and feedback of
work in course will be provided to students prior to the voluntary withdrawal
deadline of November 18, 2015.
Notification
of Grades for Art Assignments
Grades for all assignments will be will posted on UM Learn
Link to UM Learn:
http://universityofumanitoba.desire.com
Students must ensure they are registered with UM Learn in order to access their art assignment grades.
Evaluations and Grading
Projects/assignment evaluations are
based on the following grading rubric:
Letter Grade Matrix
All
School of Art students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. If the
student’s term or degree GPA falls below 2.5 the student will receive a warning
letter from the student advisor indicating they have one year to improve or
they will be placed on Academic Probation. Students in the BFA Honours Degree
Programs must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
Grading
Rubric
A+/A: Reserved for Exceptional
performances and normally achieved by a minority of students. These grades
indicate a student who is self-initiating, exceeds expectation and has an
insightful grasp of the subject matter.
A+ 93-100 Exceptional
Works in this range:
- exceptional
demonstration of all assignment requirements
- show evidence of a
high level of contextual awareness
- show full command
of chosen materials or technology
- present a
remarkable example of progress and development
A 88-92.9 Excellent
achievement
Works in this range:
- excellent
demonstration of all assignment requirements
- show thorough
contextual awareness
- show confident use
of chosen materials or technology
- present an
excellent to outstanding example of progress and development
B+/B: indicate a Very Good performance.
Normally achieved by the largest number of students. These grades indicate a
good grasp of the subject matter or excellent grasp in one area balanced with
satisfactory grasp in the other area.
B+ 80-87.9 Very
Good achievement
B 75-79.9 Good
achievement
Works in this range:
- collectively a
good demonstration of all assignment requirements
- reveal commendable
awareness of context for evaluation
- show a reasonable
ability with chosen materials or technology
- present a good to
very good example of progress and development
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Evaluations and Grading (continued)
C+/C:
indicates Satisfactory, or minimally satisfactory
performance. These grades indicate a satisfactory performance and knowledge of
the subject matter.
C+ 68-74.9 Satisfactory
C 60-67.9 Adequate
Works in this range:
- adequate demonstration
of all assignment requirements
- reveal partial
contextual awareness
- show limited
ability with material and technology
- are intermittent
in its progress during the term
D: indicates Marginal
performance.
A student receiving this grade demonstrated a superficial grasp of the subject
matter.
D 50-59.9 Marginal
Pass
Works in this range:
- provide very
limited demonstration of all assignment requirements
- have unsubstantial
contextual awareness
- have low level of
competence with materials and technology
- very limited development of work within
the term
Letter Grade Grade
Point Value Percentage
A+ 4.5 93-100% Exceptional
A 4.0 88-92.9% Excellent
B+ 3.5 80-87.9% Very Good
B 3.0 75-79.9% Good
C+ 2.5 68-74.9% Satisfactory
C 2.0 60-67.9% Adequate
D 1.0 50-59.9% Marginal
F 0 Below 50% Failure
P Pass
S Standing
Assignment Deadlines:
1) Any work
not presented during documentation and
final evaluation will receive a zero.
2) Any
assignment missing or incomplete during group
critiques will receive one letter
grade deduction.
Missing
any group critiques or documentation for the evaluation of work in a studio
course is equivalent to missing an exam or test in lecture courses.
Please note that the School of Art will not accept
assignments at the office. Arrangements have to be made with the instructor in
advance of assignment deadlines to submit late assignments.
For an exception to the late deduction or a zero
grade a Doctor’s note with signature must be submitted clearly indicating
specific dates effected by illness, which should obviously include and
encompass any pertinent assignment deadline. If the Doctor’s note does not
specify and encompass the pertinent dates the assignment will not be eligible
for an extension and work will result in a zero grade or deductions.
If there are any questions
or comments regarding the above grading criteria feel free to talk to the
instructor during class, or after class, or schedule a meeting outside of
class.
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Return
of Student Work
The retention period for unclaimed student work is as
follows:
Studio Projects for the Fall/Winter
Term: 14 working days after end of term days
Unclaimed studio projects and art assignments after
the deadline will become property of the School of Art and will be disposed of
at its discretion.
STRUCTURE
for GROUP CRITIQUES and INDIVIDUAL CRITIQUES
Group or
Individual Critiques (Crits) will become a very important component in the
student’s learning process for this course. The group critique is informally
structured in a way that allows the class as a group to discuss and build a
consensus as to what each artist or art student's work is conveying to the
viewer (classroom audience). Not attending a group critique is
equivalent to missing a test – grades will be deducted. The individual
critique periodically will involve an intensive one on one consultation.
During a group
critique usually the audience (class piers) will view and be required to speak
first about the presented work. The artist who is presenting work then responds
to remarks made by classmates and may also discuss ideas that were missed by
their classroom peers. Depending on classroom size usually group critiques will
last approximately 5 - 10 minutes per student. Each critique will offer advice
and constructive criticism regarding such ideas as intent, level of formal and
conceptual content, context and overall professionalism. Critiques of work
(Group and Individual) will offer as many options as possible to strengthen the
artist’s/art student's work. There are many variables and possible solutions, a
person will be required to research, explore and investigate many options to
discover the applicable solution(s).
Due to the
instructor having more experience than the students within the visual arts at
times during group and individual critiques the instructor will strongly
challenge a student’s or a student group’s value systems, preconceived ideas
and interpretations of various course issues.
Ultimately
the purpose of group critiques and individual critiques can be
pared down into these following points: generating ideas and new ways of
thinking, creating a class culture that has a positive and productive dialogue,
and assisting the person to grow, expand and improve their work. As well the
group critiques and discussions are also about developing a person’s attention
span and their ability to focus on discussions.
Note that the
work presented during group critiques will not be given a final evaluation
(grade) until the work is documented/videotaped at the end of each half of term.
However, it is still extremely important and compulsory to have the work
completed for group critiques. If the work is deemed too incomplete the
work will not receive a group critique and the student’s grade will be
penalized. Students are strongly encouraged to continue to utilize comments
from the group critiques and individual critiques with the instructor.
Following any critique, students will always be required to rework and quite
often significantly modify assignments outside of class until it is time to
videotape work for final evaluation. (See course syllabus for
videotaping/documentation dates)
During the
group critique students, class participation includes complete attention to all
discussions during crits, general professional and respectful behavior,
actively viewing work at a very close range and offering comments. Due to the
nature of most assignments, group crits will be emphasized more for the latter
part of the course.
Please keep in mind the instructor’s criticisms during
individual and group critiques is always intended to assist the artist/student
in improving their work. The ability to apply these criticisms is also firmly
connected to a student’s evaluation (grade) in the course.
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Statement on Student Participation in the Presentation or
Discussion of Art
At the School of Art, numerous required
and elective courses contain content that includes working from the nude model
and some language, imagery, or dialogue that may offend students. In
particular, the School of Art provides comprehensive art training that requires
use of the nude model in some courses. In viewing and discussing works of art,
the School of Art encourages the broadest possible tolerance consistent with
Canadian law.
after end of term
Statement on Student Participation in the Presentation or
Discussion of Art
At the School of Art, numerous required
and elective courses contain content that includes working from the nude model
and some language, imagery, or dialogue that may offend students. In
particular, the School of Art provides comprehensive art training that requires
use of the nude model in some courses. In viewing and discussing works of art,
the School of Art encourages the broadest possible tolerance consistent with
Canadian law.
Class Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is expected of all students
in all courses. Letters of warning may be issued for unexcused absences of
three classes in one term reminding the student of academic consequences of not
attending classes. Students who do not attend or submit assignments but do not
withdraw will receive a final grade of F.
Material and
Process Restrictions
Flammables,
poisons, potentially bio-hazardous materials, aerosol sprays, and
high-temperature processes are strictly prohibited in the School of Art
classrooms, adjoining hallways, and the vicinity of the ARTlab. The instructor
must be consulted before any materials or processes not on the class materials
list are used. If there is any doubt as to the safety of work to be undertaken,
work must be halted until the instructor has been consulted.
Plagiarism and Cheating Policy
To
plagiarize is to take ideas or words of another person and pass them off as
one’s own. In short, it is stealing something intangible rather than an object.
Obviously, it is not necessary to state the source of well-known or easily verifiable
facts, but students are expected to acknowledge the sources of ideas and
expressions they use in their written work, whether quoted directly or
paraphrased. This applies to diagrams, statistical tables and the like, as well
as to written material, and materials or information from Internet sources. To
provide adequate and correct documentation is not only an indication of
academic honesty but is also a courtesy that enables the reader to consult
these sources with ease. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism. It will also
be considered plagiarism and/or cheating if a student submits a term paper
written in whole or in part by someone other than him/herself, or copies an
answer or answers of another student in any test, examination, or take-home
assignment. Plagiarism or any other form of cheating in examinations, or term
tests (i.e. crib notes) is subject to serious academic penalty (i.e. suspension
or expulsion from the faculty or university). A student found guilty of
contributing to cheating in examinations or term assignments is also subject to
serious academic penalty.
Similarly,
to copy parts, or to reproduce everything from an artist’s individual artwork
and pass them off as one’s own is also considered a form of plagiarism. When
completing assignments or presenting work done in self-directed studio art
projects, students should avoid this practice, since it is expected that you
will originate the ‘look’ or ‘style’ of the work from your own responses to the
subject or ideas in question. To do otherwise, through the knowing use of
printed or internet reproductions of published artist’s work, would be
academically dishonest, except in cases where making a direct copy was a
requirement of the assignment by an instructor, or that an idea required such a
response. In those cases, it is clear as to the intent to copy and is a public
aspect of the meaning of the work.
Visual Language Instructor: Derek
Brueckner
Course Technology: It is the general University of Manitoba policy that all technology resources are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical and legal manner. The student can use all technology in classroom setting only for educational purposes approved by instructor and/or the University of Manitoba Student Accessibility Services. Student should not participate in personal direct electronic messaging / posting activities (e-mail, texting, video or voice chat, wikis, blogs, social networking (e.g. Facebook) online and offline “gaming” during scheduled class time. If student is on call (emergency) the student should switch his/her cell phone on vibrate mode and leave the classroom before using it.
Policies Related to Student
Discipline
Policy on Respectful Work and Learning Environment
Inappropriate and Disruptive Student Behaviour
Accessibility Policy for Student with Disabilities
http://umanitoba.ca/admin/governance/governing_documents/students/281.html
Appeals
Students wishing to appeal a grade given for term work
are expected to discuss matters relating to the grading of that work with their
instructor first, as an attempt to resolve the issue without the need to submit
a formal appeal.
For further information on grade appeals, please go to
the Appeals Policies, Procedures and Regulations on the School of Art website
at: umanitoba.ca/schools/art/media/UG_Policies_GradeAppeals2012.pdf
More information related
to appeals can be found at: umanitoba.ca/registrar/grades/691.html and please
make an appointment with the Student Advisor.
Academic Accommodation
Please approach your instructor as soon as possible
should you need some form of academic accommodation. Students with disabilities
should also contact Accessibility Services, located at 155 University Centre
(Phone: 204 474-6213; TTY: 204 474-9790; Fax: 204 261-7732;
E-mail: student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca)
Important Dates Calendar
|
|
FALL TERM 2017
|
September 7 to December 8, 2017
|
September 7
|
First day of classes
|
September 7 to 20
|
Late registration/registration revision
period
|
September 20
|
Registration revision deadline
|
October 5 to 6
|
Fall term break
|
October 9
|
Thanksgiving Day – University closed
|
October 18 to 21
|
First Year Field Trip to Minneapolis
|
November 13
|
Remembrance Day – University closed
|
November 17
|
Voluntary withdrawal (VW) deadline
|
December 8
|
Last day of classes
|
December 11 to 21
|
Exam period
|
Dec 22, 2017 to Jan 1, 2018
|
University closed for seasonal break
|
