Schedule & Activities

Materials List

Art 110: Introduction to the Visual Arts

Fall 2013

■ Section 2: Class No.5407
Instructor: Glenn Zucman
• [email protected]
• Office Hours: TuTh 10:30 – 11:00 outside UT-108 & TuTh 12:30-1 @CBTL in USU

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. Yes! McLuhan, media genius of the 20th century, said that 20 years before Berners-Lee invented The Web! So, for Fall Semester 2013, 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. Among many other times and places, we will consider the art, life, culture, and consciousness of: 14,000 years ago, 1660, 1994, and 2013.

PREREQUISITES
• None: This course requires no previous experience studying Studio Art or Art History.

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.

FORMAT OF COURSE
This course includes weekly:
1. Readings
2. Mini-lectures on video
3. “Artist of the Week” talks on video
4. Weekly Activities
5. Visits to the CSULB School of Art, Student Art Galleries

For details:

• Schedule & Activities
• Materials List

TEXTBOOKS
You’ll have the chance to read 3 small Thames & Hudson “World of Art” books this semester:
• The Body in Contemporary Art, by Sally O’Reilly
• Graffiti and Street Art, by Anna Waclawek
• Internet Art, by Rachel Greene

POINTS & GRADES
Your course activities will be “turned in” through Tout micro-videos or through iClicker questions on Tuesdays. Here is the points breakdown:

TOUT
(approx.)
15 Activities x 25 = 375
13 Student Galleries x 15 = 195
Due: Sunday night by 11:59pm

iCLICKER
(approx.)
9 Readings x 10 = 90
12 Lectures x 10 = 120
12 Artist of the Week x 10 = 120
Due: in-class clicker questions on Tuesdays

Tout Total = 545
Clicker Total = 358
Final = 97

Total Points = 1000

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

OTHER DETAILS
Univ. Withdrawal Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from classes. The Drop deadlines for Fall Semester 2013 are:
• Sept 9, 2013 before 10pm – using MyCSULB – without a “W” on your transcript
• Nov 15, 2013 – with the signature of the Art Department Undergraduate Adviser
• Dec 10, 2013 – with the signature of the Dean of the College of the Arts

For the first 2 weeks, withdrawal is your choice and done through MyCSULB. After that it requires at least the signature of the Art Department Undergraduate Adviser and is very likely to be denied. The CSULB Art Department is “impacted” and therefore maintains a strict drop policy. The official Art Department Drop Policy is no drops after the second week except for serious and compelling reasons. Severe or extensive medical problems would be a reason to drop late, but fear of receiving a final grade lower than desired, or change in your work schedule, are not considered serious and compelling reasons. If allowed, a “W” will appear on your transcript.

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

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!
In addition to all the stuff you have to do to get a grade in this course… don’t forget to have fun! Art is 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!