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Monday, January 10, 2022

Course Syllabus

ART 206 – Intro To Computer Art – 3 Semester Hours

Spring 2022

MWF 1:00-1:50 PM, CAM 302

Bethel University

Instructor:  Jason Cole

Office Hours:            

MWF: 10am-12pm; T: 11am-1pm; R: 12-2pm.[1]

Office Location: DFAB 113

Office Phone: 731.352.4082

E-mail: colej@bethelu.edu

Class Blog: https://bethelart206.blogspot.com/

Course Prerequisites/Co Requisites:

None

 

IMPORTANT COVID-19 NOTICE:

Given quickly changing coronavirus conditions, students should be prepared for shifts to alternate means of instruction, including online instruction, at any point during the semester.

Students will be expected to follow the posted campus policies regarding virus safety procedures and practices. A student who fails to do so could be subject to penalty, which may include dismissal from a class session and a misconduct report filed with the Office of the Academic Dean.

Like excused absences due to participation in official Bethel University events (athletics, Renaissance, etc.), in the case of absences due to official COVID-19 quarantine status it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor, make up any missed work, and fulfill all assignments.

 

Course Description:

Intro To Computer Art is an introductory course in the basic application of computer software to the arts.  The student will have hands-on experience in free-hand drawing, digitizing, graphics, and photographic manipulation.

Course Goals:

The student will:

1)     Demonstrate the ability to utilize basic image-editing software.

2)     Create unique images in digital media using several software tools, filters, and skillsets.

3)     Create a simple animation with sound.

4)     Demonstrate the ability to utilize the Internet to showcase work.

5)     Develop skills of observation, personal expression, and abstract thinking.

Text:

None

Course Objectives:

The student will:

a)     Learn and apply the basic operations of image-editing software.

b)     Create new compositions from existing imagery.

c)     Utilize websites such as Blogger and Youtube as online digital galleries.

d)     Develop problem-solving skills.

e)     Strengthen self-disciple.

f)      Observe, research, and learn from the work of other artists.

g)     Develop and enhance his/her proficiency in the vocabulary of the artist.

h)     Actively engage in constructive critique.

Units of Study:

Unit 1       Digital Pastiche

Building new work from existing found images.

Unit 2       Transforming Your Photographs

Using your new photo-editing skills and individual experimentation to enhance and transform your own photographs.

Unit 3       Animation

Using image- and video-editing software in tandem to create animations integrating photography and drawn elements.

Required Reading/Viewing:

Various handouts, online videos, and online tutorials that will be provided by the instructor throughout the course.

Suggested Reading/Viewing:

Any online tutorials for the software we are using that you can find.

Methods Of Instruction:

Lecture, discussion, in-class work, outside assignments, online blog, critique.

 


Course Requirements:

1)     A personal online Blogger.com blog is an important requirement of this course.  It is a depository for ideas, visual observations, and written responses to anything (in-class or outside).  Include research of artists of special interest, techniques, subjects, methods, media, processes, etc.  More importantly, it is the place where you will display all of the assignments you complete for this class.  Consider it both as an “online sketchbook” and as your “digital gallery”.  Due dates for assignments will be announced over the course of the semester.  On those dates, you are responsible for posting your own assignment as well as visiting the blogs of all your classmates and offering critique.

2)     Completion of weekly in-class assignments and related homework assignments is required for the course.

3)     Download and install all of the software we will utilize in this course. All software will be available as free downloads.

Attendance Policy:[2]

o    If you miss ELEVEN classes you will immediately fail the course.  Eleven absences means too much information and work has been missed for anyone to legitimately pass the course. The only excused absences are for students who must miss class due to approved scheduled university extracurricular activities.  Medical absences can be discussed on an individual basis, but it is not guaranteed that they will be excused.

o    If you are unable to submit an assignment on its due date because of an approved scheduled university extracurricular activity, that assignment can be submitted at the beginning of the next class without penalization.

o    If you are having trouble with the course or have problems outside the class that are affecting your performance please talk to me about it so that we can work out a solution.  Do not wait until it is too late.  I will be glad to help you in any way I can.

o    Lateness is not acceptable.  It is disruptive and frankly disrespectful not only to me but to your fellow students to enter the classroom in the middle of a lecture, demonstration, or critique.  Three late arrivals to class will count as an absence.

o    All students will work for the entire class period.  The class runs from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.  Please asked to be excused before leaving the classroom.  I am tolerant of discussion among students during class to a point.  However, excessive talking, walking about or leaving the room will be noted in my grade book and counted against your final grade.

o    If you miss an assignment because of lateness or absence get it from another student. If you then have questions come and see me.

o    Like excused absences due to participation in official Bethel University events (athletics, Renaissance, etc.), in the case of absences due to official COVID-19 quarantine status it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor, make up any missed work, and fulfill all assignments.

o    If a student is forced to quarantine (or shelter from home) because of COVID-19, the student is required to contact the instructors immediately. If the student should become the primary caregiver of a family member or loved one and their ability to access materials by deadlines becomes compromised, the student is required to contact the professor immediately.

Methods of Assessment/Evaluation/Grading System:

Each assignment will be collected on a specific due date and time.  Persons not submitting work on time will be penalized one full grade.  (See the exception rule above.)  The work will be graded and e-mailed to you as soon as possible after submission and critique.

 

All assignments that have been submitted PROPERLY and graded may be re-worked for a better grade.

 

Late Assignment Policy

o    A homework assignment is considered late if it has not been submitted by the beginning of class on the scheduled due date.

o    Persons not handing in work on time will be penalized one full grade.  (See the exception rule above.) 

o    Late work cannot be resubmitted for the possibility of a better grade.

o    Late homework must be turned in within TWO WEEKS of the scheduled due date in order to receive a grade.  After two weeks, the assignment will not be accepted and the grade of “0” will remain.

o    If you fail to turn in FOUR homework assignments, you will automatically fail the course, with no alternative path to improving your grade in the course.

 

Blogs will be graded at midterm and finals.  It is expected that you are making extensive use of your blog throughout the semester to showcase all you are doing in this course as well as visiting the blogs of your classmates to give critique.

 

Final grades reflect accomplishment in three areas:

o    Homework/portfolio (50%)

o    Blog (25%)

o    Class performance/participation/attitude (25%)

Final grades will be determined by:

o    Completion of all assignments.

o    Consistency of effort

o    Development of skills in seeing and thinking.

o    Presentation and craftsmanship.

o    Participation in critiques and discussions.

o    General attitude.

 


Individual assignment grade definitions:

o    A - Excellent. Assignment is completely and creatively fulfilled.  No significant problems.

o    B - All aspects of assignment are completely fulfilled and well done.  A few problems remain to be solved.

o    C - Work fulfills the requirements of the assignment to the letter and is generally successful.  Work is completely finished.  Craftsmanship is acceptable.  Some problems remain to be solved.

o    D - Work is not yet completely finished or has obvious technical or conceptual flaws.

o    F - Unacceptable in technique or craft or concept (or any combination of these).

o    X - Assignment not handed in.  This assignment may not be re-submitted.

Final letter grade definitions:

o    A – The student earning an A has shown great effort and near-perfect success in all aspects of the class.  Only students absolutely excelling far above expectations will be awarded this grade.

o    B - A very good job.  The person earning this grade has worked very hard; has pushed his/herself to go beyond the mere fulfillment of each problem and has shown strong advances in technical and conceptual skills.

o    C - The student earning a C has fulfilled the requirements of the course, has a positive attitude, worked hard, shown growth in skills and thinking, and did an overall good job.

o    D - Below par.  This grade indicates that the student has obvious difficulties with basic drawing skills and/or trouble in fulfilling the requirements of the class for some other reason.

o    F - This grade indicates a severe problem in one or more of the following categories:  lack of interest, bad attitude, failure to complete assignments, excess lateness, or absence. 

Clinical/Laboratory/Field Experiences:

None

General Requirements:

o    COVID Requirements:

o    In art classes, maintaining proper social distancing is often difficult.  Classroom seating is arranged very differently from most lecture courses, and it will often be necessary for the professor to get physically close in order to see your work or give direct feedback. Therefore, the following requirements will be in place for everyone’s safety:

§   WEAR A MOUTH & NOSE COVERING INSIDE THE CLASSROOM EACH DAY (regardless of vaccination status).  This policy is based on the current (as of January 2022) surge of the Omicron variant and the most recent CDC recommendations[3] and will be enforced in my classroom:

§   As of the publication of this syllabus, Carroll County’s level of community transmission is classified as “high”.[4]

§   Anyone entering the classroom without a proper face covering WILL LEAVE THE CLASSROOM.  If the student can return in a timely manner with a mask, the student will be counted as TARDY.  Otherwise, the student WILL BE COUNTED AS ABSENT FOR THE DAY.

o    You are required to bring your laptop and storage device (jump drive, external hard drive, etc.) to EVERY CLASS.  These items are crucial.  Without them, it will be impossible for you to participate in anything done in the classroom on most days.  Anyone arriving to class without this equipment WILL LEAVE THE ROOM AND BE COUNTED AS ABSENT FOR THAT DAY.  If, for reasons beyond your control, you do not have a laptop, let me know ASAP so that we can work out a solution.

o    BACKUP ALL OF YOUR FILES!  Technology loves to fail us when we need it most.  It is YOUR responsibility to have your files stored in more than one device AND to keep up with those devices.  “My laptop crashed,” or “I lost my jump drive” are not excuses for not submitting assignments.

o    All students are expected to participate during critiques.  Failing to engage in discussions will be noted in the gradebook.

o    Prohibited from my classroom: Cell phones (you may have it pocketed, but silence it and DO NOT ANSWER IT), texting, any device with headphones, tobacco of any kind, drugs or alcohol, Internet social networking sites, laziness.

 

Required Materials & Supplies

o    Digital camera (a basic point-and-shoot is acceptable) – No less than 7 megapixels

o    If you are going to use your phone as a camera, you will need a way to transfer photographs from your phone to your computer at full resolution.

o    Tripod or tabletop to stabilize your camera

o    SD card

o    Laptop

o    Storage device (jump drive, external hard drive, etc.) for backing up you files.

o    Photo-editing software (provided by instructor)

o    Quicktime Pro (a $30 investment)

o    Any props, setpieces, models, and/or clothing you may want for use in your photographs

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 


Class Schedule

 


Week 1(Jan 10-14)

Introduction, Review of syllabus

Getting Set Up

o    Creating a Blogger.com account

o    Designing your blog

o    Entering your first post

Outside Assignment:

o    Download GIMP software

 

*MLK HOLIDAY – JANUARY 17*

 

Week 2 (Jan 19-21)

Getting Started

o    Creating folders for saving files and organizing assignments

o    Searching the Internet for LARGE images and downloading them

Digital Collage/Pastiche

o    Understanding Layers

o    Learning to use basic cut-and-paste tools:

o    Lasso/Magic wand

o    Clone stamp

o    Color-to-alpha

o    Copy-and-paste

Outside Assignment:

o    Search for LARGE images that inspire you, download them, and attach them to a blog post.

o    Due BEFORE CLASS on Jan 24)

 

Week 3 (Jan 24-28)

Digital Collage/Pastiche

o    Color Manipulation

o    Color balance/Hue/Saturation

o    Brightness & Contrast

o    Burning & Dodging

o    Levels

·          Posterization

·          Special types of layers

Digital Collage/Pastiche

o    More Basic Tools

·          Brushes

·          Drawing & erasing

·          Fill bucket

·          Rotate/Perspective/Scale

Outside Assignment:

o    Post your first digital collage image

 

Week 4 (Jan 31-Feb4)

Digital Collage/Pastiche

o    Filters

o    Blur/Sharpen

o    Artistic

o    Distorts

February 4, Critique Assignment #1

o    5 Digital Collage Images

·          At least one must use the “rubber ducky” image

·          Comment on other students’ work

 

Week 5 (Feb 7-11)

Discussion of Assignment #2 – Anaglyph 3D

o    How Anaglyph 3D works

o    Receive 3D glasses (DON’T LOSE THEM!)

o    Examples of Anaglyph 3D

o    Instructions for photographs

Outside Assignment

o    Due BEFORE CLASS on Feb 9.

o    Shoot photographs following directions given in class.

o    Download photos onto your computer

o    Search for Anaglyph 3D images, download 4 that you particularly like, and post them to your blog.

Anaglyph 3D

o    Demonstration of creating Anaglyph images

·          Organizing images in your folders

·          RGB Levels

·          Screen Layer

o    Work along with instructor

 

Week 6 (Feb 14-18)

Anaglyph 3D

In-class work days

February 18, Critique Assignment #2

o    Anaglyph 3D

·          4 Anaglyph images

·          Create interesting and dynamic 3D effects

·          Bring 3D glasses

 

Week 7 (Feb 21-25)

Discussion of Assignment #3 – Cloning

o    Demonstration of cloning

o    Instructions for photographs

Outside Assignment:

o    Due BEFORE CLASS on February 25.

o    Shoot photographs following directions given in class

o    Materials

·          Camera, tripod, a model, props/costuming, etc.

Cloning

o    Work along with instructor

 

Week 8 (Feb 28-Mar4)

MIDTERM: BLOGS GRADED

Cloning

In-Class Work Days

Assignment #3

 

*SPRING BREAK MARCH 7-11*

 

Week 9 (Mar 14-18)

March 16, Critique Assignment #3

o    3 Cloned Images

·          At least 1 must be a self-portrait

·          Comment on other students’ work

Outside Assignment:

o    Bring cameras, tripods, a model, props/costuming, etc. to class on Friday, Mar 18.

Discussion of Invisible People Assignment

Shoot photographs outdoors

o    Materials

·          Camera, tripod, a model, props/costuming, etc.

 

Week 10 (Mar 21-25)

Invisible People

In-Class Work Days

Assignment #4

 

Week 11 (Mar 28-Apr 1)

March 28, Critique Assignment #4

o    Three “Invisible Person” Images

o    Comment on other students’ work

Creating a Youtube.com account

Shooting video

Upload video

Post video to blog

Discussion of Video Art History

Outside Assignment:

o    “This Is Art” Video (Assignment #5)

o    No less than TWO MINUTES

o    Upload to Youtube, post to blog

o    Comment on other students’ work

 

Week 12 (Apr 4-8)

April 4, Critique “This is Art” Videos (Assignment #5)

Outside Assignment:

o    Shoot ANY kind of video you want

o    Use your webcam or smartphone

o    Upload to Youtube, post to blog

o    Comment on other students’ work

o    Begin Final Assignment #6

o    TBA - The final project of the semester is different each semester.

 

Week 13 (Apr 11-13)

o    Assignment #6 (cont’d)

o    In-class work days.

*GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY APR 15*

 

Week 14 (Apr 18-22)

Assignment #6 (cont’d)

o    In-class work days.

 

Week 15 (Apr 25-29)

In-Class Work Days

Assignment #6

·          TBA

 

FINALS WEEK

Thursday, May 5 – 9:00-11:00 AM

Final Critique – Assignment #6


 

Month And Year of Syllabus Revision:

January 2022

 

BETHEL UNIVERSITY is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with documented disabilities. If you have a diagnosed disability or if you believe that you have a disability that might require reasonable accommodation in this course, please contact Disability Services at 352-4012. BETHEL UNIVERSITY policy states that it is the responsibility of students to contact instructors to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading, experiences, and assignments.

 

BETHEL UNIVERSITY is committed to and cares about all students. Support services are available for any person at BETHEL UNIVERSITY who is experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed, hopelessness, depression, thinking about dying by suicide, or is otherwise in need of assistance. For immediate help, contact the National Suicide Lifeline Number 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or Text 741741. Students and employees on the McKenzie or Paris campuses can also contact Bethel’s Safety and Security Office (731-415-7599) or the Mobile Crisis Number (1-800-353-9918). Counseling is available on campus to CAS and CHS students through Bethel University’s Department of Clinical Services (731-352-6786). Emergency Services (911) should be contacted in the event of an emergency.

 



[1] I will hold office hours in-person this semester or virtually at the request of the student.  In my office, masks will be worn by both student and professor.  If you enter without a mask, you will be asked to leave and return with one.  Thank you for your cooperation.

[2] This attendance policy is subject to change as developments in the global pandemic occur.

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