SYLLABUS

Fall 2007 T/TR 1-3:40

Where?

Tuesdays: Rm 336E (Computer Lab to the left)
Thursdays: Rm 336A (Comp Lab to the right)
Changes to the class location will be posted no later than 24 hours before class meetings.

course objectives

This course looks at the production and reception of images through a combination of historical, theoretical and practical perspectives. A variety of contexts from contemporary art, design and popular culture will be explored through research and visual projects. Special consideration will be given to current forms of reproduction, with students learning and utilizing common methods for rendering and realizing still images, including both print and screen-based output.

Students will be exposed to historical and theoretical models for understanding images and pictures, using these models as starting points for directed investigations into the production of their own images. Following completion of the course, students should be versed in the dominant methods for understanding visual culture and in the basic skills used in the production of images. Specifically, they should have developed the ability to analyze images in art, design and popular culture, including their own work as cultural producers.

The course will take on the understanding and production of visual culture in 5 steps.
1. Iconography
2. Semiotics
3. Collage/Montage
4. Sequence
5. Image Acts

The first two (Iconography and Semiotics) focus on the methodological understanding of how images can be understood and analyzed - i.e. how meaning is communicated through them.
The next two (Collage/Montage and Sequence) introduce two modern and contemporary forms of making images.
The last section (Image Acts) is an exploration of more recent theories about the role of images in culture and society.

The Goals and Objectives stated above will be accomplished through a sequence of readings, analysis and discussion of key texts and artworks. These examples will be the basis for visual projects that will facilitate the practical exploration of both the theoretical concepts and skill sets covered.

required + recommended texts

+ You will be expected to read various texts on and off line that will be given to you as a URL or as photocopies.
+ Strongly recommeded: Visual Quick Start Guide for PhotoshopCS2
+ Software tutorial books are recommened, but not required. The skills that you are expected to utilize in the course will be covered in class, and you will not be assigned specific exercises from books. There are many, too many to list, but here are some books that I have personally used and are widely used in course work.
Visual Quick Start Guides:
Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, XHTML/CSS, Dreamweaver
Hands On Training Books:
Photoshop, Flash, Illustrator, Dreamweaver

supplies + facilities

+ USB or firewire portable hard drive

+ folder/binder for archiving work completed in class.

Notebook & pen/pencil- you must always have a notebook in class in which to make notes. There is a lot of technical information that will not be repeated, and students are responsible for the information presented during demos and lectures.

headphones

You are responsible for following the guidelines for using the A&D Computing facilities.
NO FOOD OR DRINK EVER IN THE LABS
Download a PDF of the policy here.
Equipment and Software Lists available here.
Lab Locations and Hours available here.

facility fee

Students taking courses in the Art+Design Resource Lab are all assessed a facility access fee. This fee supports acquisition and maintenance of computers, peripheral equipment and software, and helps provide technical support.

grading criteria

Regular attendance is a necessity, as is classroom participation. Both will have a crucial bearing on your final grade.
Excessive absences [3 or more] can lower a grade by one full letter or more.
Writing assignments will be graded on a credit / no credit basis, and will also be a deciding factor in each student's final grade.

If you show up without required work, you will be considered absent.

The artwork created in class will be evaluated and graded according to the following criteria, and is not a relative scale based on the output of the class (i.e. no bell curve guarantee):

A outstanding; thoughtful and intelligent ideas presented in a clear, organized, and engaging manner; both concept and execution illustrate critical thinking and engagement with course material.
B good; the ideas are interesting and successfully presented; shows potential, but not necessarily distinctive.
C mediocre; achieves minimum requirements of the assignment, but not particularly clear, successful, or ambitious.
D poor; does not satisfy the minimum requirements of the assignment; generally unsatisfactory in terms of quality and clarity.
F you probably didn't submit a finished assignment.

Your final grade will be determined roughly as follows:

100 points for each project
50pts for each reading assignment (in the form of written responses)
100pts class participation (in the form of contributions to group discussions)

workload i suggest you budget 5 - 6 hours a week for doing course work outside of our classtime.

Be aware of the University's Policy on Academic Integrity + Nondiscrimination as they apply to this class