Syllabus
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Associate Professor Jen Pepper
Course schedule
T TH FA 111.01 Eckel 109/MacDonald Lecture Hall = Art History One 9:30 - 10:50
T TH SA 121.01 Jephson Campus A 206 = Painting 2:00 - 4:50 PM included also is SA321 Intermediate Painting
T TH SA 499.01 Jephson Campus A 209 = Senior Project Thesis Exhibition Development 6:00 - 8:50 pm
OH T TH 12:00 - 1:50
W 1:00 - 2:30 pm
and by appointment at jpepper@cazenovia.edu
Office = Jephson Campus A #210
Course Objectives + Independent Contracts
SA 321 is the intermediate “stacked” course beyond the introductory level SA 121.
The goal of the course is to give more advanced students the opportunity to develop a body of work that is the culmination of the undergraduate painting studies.
The overall goal of SA 321 is to have a coherent body of work that has been strongly developed and well realized. Critical thinking that embraces both a student’s engagement in their studio practice and theoretical research expected in SA321, while being thoughtfully balanced. It is expected that the student at this level will be self - motivated, rigorous and be engaged in serious, output and critical research.
The work that the advanced student accomplishes may be the work in their BFA thesis exhibition, although a substantial amount more is expected, and/or for their pure enjoyment of painting. The work that each student develops in this intermediate course of their undergraduate degree may be the work that they use to apply to graduate school. This course meets alongside both the introductory and advanced painting course SA421.
Students in SA321 will be committed to their studios at this time.
Methods
Course objectives will be introduced through lectures, demos, studio practice, readings, class discussion, critique and film. A thorough and rigorous engagement is expected of all upper level students to progress and evolve in their craft while developing a deeper relationship with their independent work and ongoing evolution of their ideas. This includes six hours in class hours on a weekly basis, and evidence of the minimum of six hours outside class hours each week.
Independent Student Contracts + Evaluation Periods =
Week 4, 7, 11 + 15
i. The course will be divided into 4 evaluation periods that will assess how the SA321 student is progressing through the semester.
ii. Each evaluation period will engage in a critique with the instructor and the other intermediate students.
The grade that the student receives for each period will reflect the quality and depth the student presents.
iii. The student will create a written contract of the work they plan to investigate beginning in the second week of the semester.
The contracts establish the working relations of the student as a planner, researcher and artist of the ongoing work they wish to develop on an independent basis.
The student's independent working ideas and goals will be organized in a minimum of a one-page paper submitted to the instructor.
iv. The original working contract will be edited and revised additionally on two future occasions, illustrating the evolution and progress of the student’s work that is both influenced by their independent studio work as well as driven by their scholarly research.
Each updated version will be handed into the instructor during the 5 and week 9 of the semester.
v. Keep a copy in your sketch book for easy access and review at any time.
Areas of focus may include: inspiration of work, independent historical research, a certain subject matter, painting applications and techniques, and or a combination there of some of these.
Evaluation periods . Critiques + Critical Dates
Each evaluation period the student will present their work to the instructor and class as a whole. During these periodic reviews the student should be able to demonstrate the following:
- Develop a clear overview of what their goals are for the semester
- Develop an artist’s project statement about their creative process that they will share with the class, and will be updated at each evaluation period set out by them. The student will be graded on accuracy and the depth of knowledge. Remembering that their Project Proposals need to be reevaluated and submitted in Weeks 5 and 9.
- The student will be asked to respond to the specific comments about their presented works in critique
- The student will develop a minimum of three paintings that conforms to the student’s main focus by end of week four, and will be on-going throughout the semester
- At the culmination of the semester the student should have a minimum of 4-8 paintings
- The student will self-grade as well as be in collaborative conference with the instructor
- The student understands at the culmination of the semester to restore the area to its original form
Participation, support and respect in all phases of this course are imperative
- All works are expected to be submitted at the specific evaluation periods.
- All works should reflect an appropriate amount of time spent.
- All works should be able to demonstrate a ‘plastic’ intelligence developed from experience.
- All works should be able to demonstrate an excellent sense of craft and ‘presence.’
- Written statements should consistently develop in terms of critical thinking and research.
- The student should be able to demonstrate a sense of the historical and theoretical framing in which their work exists.
All-College Honors Program
Students in the All-College Honors Program may take this course for Honors' credit. Make an appointment with me to discuss what your Honors' research project might entail, the form of delivery of the research information for assessment and class presentation.
From the college's website:
Mission Statement
The All-College Honors Program at Cazenovia College offers to outstanding students in all majors (in the liberal arts and in the professional studies) a stimulating learning environment beyond that found in standard classroom coursework, and fosters their exceptional academic talents and intellectual curiosity. Demanding curriculum, independent research opportunities and co-curricular activities challenge students to achieve their full educational potential not only through encouraging academic excellence but also through promoting social responsibilities in the global community. An honors degree certifies that students have produced academic work that meets the highest standards of academic rigor in both general education and in their career field. Students should complete a minimum of 24 honors credits for an all-college honors degree.
Contract courses within the major:
- Students would select at least two courses in their major, above the first year level and contract with the faculty member teaching this course to complete additional work which would qualify this course as an honors course. Students would also complete an honors senior capstone project.
Evaluation + Grading
- Students should set high standards for their own work.
- Although process is an essential component of the studio, a legible, refined and thoughtfully crafted representation is the expected outcome of a work.
- Informed speculation and experimentation are encouraged.
- Hard work and improvement are recognized.
- Although process is an essential component of the studio, a legible, refined and thoughtfully crafted representation is the expected outcome of a work.
- Informed speculation and experimentation are encouraged.
- Hard work and improvement are recognized.
Significant factors in grading student’s level of participation include:
- Demonstrating an intellectual understanding of the readings and projects
- Have the ability to initiate research
- Cultivate individual drive and sustained motivation throughout each project from early conception to finished form
Therefore, in addition to completing exquisitely crafted projects, engaged work and participation will positively impact a student’s grade.
Lack of preparation, disengagement from his/her work, avoidance of critiques, lack of participation in discussion, incomplete and not prepared work will result in a lower grade.
Should a student be performing below an adequate level, the student will be notified and a meeting will be scheduled to address deficiencies.
1. On going, personal studio practice and performance of the creative work the student produces = 70%
2. 7 page written paper on painter or group of painters with for deconstructive analysis. On going participation in qualitative critiques and artist’s statements = 10%
3. Participation with quality studio work, evidence of research in a sketchbook = 20%
Standards for Grading
A: The typical "A" student will consistently follow all of the steps in the creative process, resulting in work that is beyond the students’ previous technical, conceptual and expressive capabilities. Equally important, the A student will conduct research, integrate information from other classes and experiences, follow through on ideas, not opt for an easy way out, will hand in work on time and in a well presented manner, will participate fully in class, ask questions and do extra work when needed in the pursuit of knowledge and greater ability. The work produced is exemplary and sets a benchmark for other students; actively participating in class discussions and critiques with a sustained high level of curiosity. In short, the A student will be a responsible and active learner throughout. Student work demonstrates exceptional/superior ability, an outstanding performance in effort in creativity, process, presentation and craft.
GPA pts = A = 4.0 A- = 3.67
B: Attend all classes and complete all assignments on time; follow all instructions, demonstrate above average skills and creativity in completing assignments, turn in consistently good work though some further development of knowledge and skills is possible; frequently contribute to discussions and critiques.
The student's work falls above average of the standards. Their Work illustrates excellent ability and interest, a very good performance.
B+ = 3.33 B = 3.0 B- = 2.67
C: Have less than perfect attendance; complete all assignments with average skills, attitude and creativity demonstrating limited commitment to the learning process, average use of materials, and ideas that need further development. Occasionally contribute to class discussions and critiques.
The student's work is Average and illustrates adequate performance + effort.
C+ = 2.33 C = 2.0 C- = 1.67
D: Have poor attendance; seldom meet deadlines, have an unconcerned attitude, has less than adequate performance; contribute very little to class discussions and critiques.
The student's work is below and does not meet the standards. Overall it is uninteresting resulting from little effort, creativity, process, presentation and craft.
D+ = 1.33 D = 1.0
F: Have poor attendance; seldom meet deadlines; turn in poor work; have a bad attitude, and/or impervious to the learning process. The students is nable to meet minimum requirement.
F = 0.0
Expectations > Attendance at all class sessions for the entire class time and be prepared with materials, assignments, readings and papers always!
If you are not present when attendance is taken, you are considered absent. The instructor is not obligated to repeat a demonstration or presentation.
Tardiness and absences will greatly hinder student progress in this course. Students who miss class, in an extreme case, are responsible for notifying faculty prior to class start time.
Students who are absent from a class are expected to be prepared with ALL assignments and readings due at the next class meeting.
More than 3 unexcused absences will result in lowering the final grade, if not recommended to withdrawal from the class. Thus a B- turns into a C+ for the final grade.
In the case of suspected flu or other illness, contact instructor prior, or immediately following the absence to avoid an unexcused absence.
Contrary to what some class students might have you believe, there are not “three” automatic, excused absences in any class across campus (lecture courses vs. studio courses).
Attention to Vital and Creative Engagement
To class activities; Students are responsible for all information covered in class, including this syllabus. Take copious notes! No cell phone use during class – please put your phone on vibrate.Ask for help when needed, and inform the instructor at the beginning of the course about any special needs or concerns, such as health issues or athletics. If you have an issue with the course, student, or instructor, contact instructor first to begin a resolution process.
It is my hope that the student's assignments connect themes across courses, while building on previous work is encouraged. Assignments submitted for other classes cannot be used for credit in this class. Consult the instructor if you have questions. Students must cite sources for all images and text used in all assignments (research papers AND sketchbooks).
Present your work on time and in a professional manner. Work not presented at the beginning of class will be deemed late–late work is work that will be accepted up to one week after the due date but will be graded 50% less than otherwise earned. Incomplete projects are considered late until all parts are submitted. You are entering into a field with many stellar professionals already in it – your work should be well crafted and cared for!
Break it Down
Practice & Persist it is expected in all campus courses that each hour dedicated in class = one hour outside work.
3 hours each class period x 2 meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays equates to 6 in-class hours.
It is expected that the same amount of time should be committed to this class outside studio hours each week. Thus the student should be contributing to their own creative painting advancement 12 hours weekly.
6 x 15 weeks = 90 hours for in-class hours spent in the classroom
6 x 15 weeks = 90 hours of outside studio hours per semester
Equating to 180 hours spent on the student's creative work and energies per semester overall.
Student Growth
i. A student cannot rest on previous skills alone – you must show a willingness to explore and to take risks!
ii. The student should understand and apply concepts, techniques and vocabulary.
iii. Sustain a conscious, serious effort. Use class time effectively and develop variations even if you have “completed” an assignment.
iv. Cultivate self motivation, fuel your garden, structure your own time management succinctly .
Special Needs in education Notify the instructor if you are a student who requires accommodations in classroom studio or outside work due to special needs. Appropriate accommodations will be made in cooperation with the Office of Special Services at 315-655-7170
Academic Honesty Policy
Plagiarism is not tolerated. Any student who turns in plagiarized work will fail the course and be possibly dismissed from the college. A description of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are to be found in the on-line Student Handbook @ www.cazenovia.edu . As mentioned earlier, it is understood by each student that the work that is completed for this class shall not be used as material work intended to be graded for another class.
Studio Policy
The atmosphere in the studio should be one of mutual respect; courteous with colleagues, faculty, guests and with the work at hand. We are cultivating a relationship between you and your work, you and your critic, you and your colleagues. Your work ethic will show in your projects. Issues will emerge during the course that will prompt a general discussion required by all students.
