Course Syllabus
ART 4916
BFA STUDIO 1
Fall 2020, 9:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m., T/R/F
Jason Cytacki, Instructor
Contact: jason.cytacki@ou.edu, Rm 406
Office Hours by appointment
Hybrid Instruction
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is intended for senior level students entering the final year of their BFA Degree in Studio Art. Its purpose is to focus the student’s work formally and conceptually in preparation for further studies and / or professional practices in creative art.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this course is the preparation of a coherent/cohesive portfolio of work capable of propelling students confidently into the next phase of their creative lives. This includes the goal of each student attaining a more complete understanding of, and ability to talk about, their work, and the work of others. BFA students are presumed to be interested in continuing on to graduate study in the creative arts, and much of curriculum of this course is designed with that thought in mind. By the end of the semester, students should feel like their work is on a more consistent course defined by its intentions, purpose, dialogue, and formal qualities. They should also feel like they’re getting a better idea of how their work fits into some of the broader ideas and discussions that animate the world of contemporary art and culture.
Teaching Methodology
Brief slide lectures, demonstrations and discussions will introduce and clarify new projects and concepts. In addition, the instructor will give individual guidance through one-on-one discussion with each student as the paintings develop.
Weekly Homework This class will involve 3 to 6 hours of work outside of class time each week. This will include directed reading, gallery and museum visits, field trip(s), and other activities. The primary purpose of these assignments will be to fuel seminar discussions, and seminar discussions will be structured to test/insure that the coursework has been completed before each discussion.
Semester Exhibition This course will conclude in either a group exhibition, or series of individual exhibitions, of all student work. These exhibitions will be evaluated for their professionalism and appropriateness, as well as on the quality of the work exhibited.
GRADING
Your final grade in this course will be the weighted average of your performance in the following major categories.
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Seminar: (25%)
You will be evaluated each week on your contributions to, and preparedness for, seminar sessions. This means competing reading assignments on time, contributing thoughtfully to discussions (whether online or in person) and participation in conversation. -
Presentations / Discussions / Critiques: (25%)
Grade will reflect your contributions to class discussion and critiques. When it’s your turn to present your work, you will be graded on your preparedness and overall presentation. -
Semester Portfolio and Exhibition: (50%)
In keeping with the objective of this course, the overall body of work you complete this semester along with the exhibition of that work at the end of the semester will account for half of your grade. Your portfolio will be evaluated based upon its quality and quantity, risk taking, effort, and the development of your own conceptual focus. See below for more information.
“A”= Outstanding Work. The solution of the problem reflects significant understanding of the problem. The problem has been both fully developed and well-communicated. There is a clear concept which has enhanced the overall problem. The full potential has been explored and the student has gone remarkably above and beyond the basic requirements and limits of the assignment
“B”= Good Work. Problem solutions have exceeded all stated requirements, and show above- average depth of understanding. The project demonstrates more than adequate clarity of idea, execution, and presentation, including good craft
“C”= Competent Work. The problem has been solved adequately. The solution shows a basic depth of understanding and development. There is a rudimentary demonstrated command of the materials, idea, and principles. The student has covered the basic requirements of the assignment. Craft is simply adequate
“D”= Poor Work. Extremely weak problem solution lacking depth, understanding, and innovation. Craft is weak. Appropriate skill level has not been demonstrated
“F”= Unacceptable Work or Work Not Submitted
Attendance
A temporary university policy has been established to protect the OU community by ensuring that students who are ill or required to isolate feel encouraged to remain at home. Missing a class session or other class activity due to illness or isolation will not result in a penalty for the absence, and the student will not be asked to provide formal documentation from a healthcare provider to excuse the absence. This policy is based on all students and faculty adhering to the principles of integrity, honesty, and concern for others.
Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea or who have been in close contact with others who have symptoms should:
- Remain at home to protect others
- Ensure that any needed screening has been conducted (COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool) and any needed treatment obtained
- Contact the instructor prior to absence or inability to participate, if possible, and provide an honest report of the reason for which you cannot attend class or complete a course activity
- Continue to complete coursework to the extent possible, using Canvas, zoom, and other online tools
- Submit assignments electronically to the extent possible and as directed by the instructor
- Communicate with the instructor to arrange modifications to deadlines or work requirements or reschedule exams or other important course activities, when it is necessary
Studio Space
The Lightwell Gallery will act as both your BFA Studio classroom, and your studio for the semester. You will be sharing this space with each other, and should remain mindful of this at all times. Don’t spread out without clearing it with those upon whose space you will be infringing, don’t “borrow” other people’s things without asking, and keep your space as clean and orderly as you are capable of. Many of you will be creating much of your work in other studios, but the studio space in the Lightwell should be the “nerve center” of your practice—the space you use to evaluate, contemplate, observe, strategize, etc.
Please feel free to organize and personalize your space as you see fit. The goal is for it to be a productive place you want to be.
Critiques and Discussions
It is very important to that everyone can come to class and participate to his or her fullest level of comfort and ability. I promote an environment where mutual respect, constructive criticism, and creative exploration are valued. I expect the same from everyone who comes in the door. Group criticism and discussion is an essential tool for developing a comprehensive artistic knowledge and vocabulary. Therefore, it is critical that you learn how to talk about your own art and the work of other artists. Critiques are designed to encourage the development and improvement of art making and is a vital part of this class. Students will be given equal opportunity to practice different critique methods. I ask that you have both the courage to speak your ideas and respect the ideas of others
Documentation and Portfolio
Documentation is an integral component of art making and as such it is treated as an essential part of the course work. All projects must be documented and your documentation must be autonomous and self-explanatory. Documentation should not require your presence in order for a viewer to understand what is being seen. Students will turn in a digital portfolio documenting work completed during the semester. We will discuss this further during the semester.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Completing Works
You are expected to complete all assignments to the best of your ability by the written deadlines for critique, as stated in the assignment sheets. Projects are designed with the expectation that students will spend time in and out of class working in order to complete them in a timely manner. It is expected that you spend approximately 4-5 hours a week in order to finish work at an average level. This is the minimum. You may need to spend extra time if you want to achieve work that is is above average or excellent.
Cell Phones
Turn your cell phones to silent when we are having group learning in the classroom (i.e. presentations, discussions, class meetings, etc.). Watching Netflix, youtube, playing games will not be allowed as I want you to be present and attentive in class. Please respect this policy.
Room Care
The use of fixative spray in the building is not permitted at any time (except by special arrangement with painting that have a ventilated spray booth). If the spray booth is not available, please spray your drawings outside the building, away from entrances and without leaving any marks behind (put your drawing on cardboard so you are not spraying the grass or sidewalk).
At the end of the semester, all work must be removed from the Lightwell. Work that remains into the next semester will be thrown away.
Food and Drink in Classroom
Food is not allowed classrooms. Consuming food in learning spaces is a significant concern for transmission of illness and therefore is prohibited. Students that may need to eat for health reasons, such as blood sugar regulation, should step outside the classroom to a social distanced location. If you are in a course that extends more than an hour, please be aware that some students may need to need to eat for health and may need to step out of classes briefly.
Drinking in classes is generally discouraged. It is acceptable, specifically in longer course formats, for students to take a sip from a water bottle or cup with a lid by temporarily moving their mask to do so and immediately replacing the mask. Faculty may also need to take sips of water while they are teaching. Discretion should be used while drinking in the classroom and temporary movement of a mask should be momentary and replaced after the sip.
INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES
Masking Syllabus Statement - Fall 2020
As outlined by the University of Oklahoma¹s Chief COVID Officer, until further notice, employees, students, and visitors of the OU community will be mandated to wear masks (1.) when they are inside University facilities and vehicles and (2.) when they are outdoors on campus and social distancing of at least six feet is not possible. For the well-being of the entire university community it is important that everyone demonstrate the appropriate health and safety behaviors outlined in the University Mandatory Masking Policy (https://www.ou.edu/coronavirus/masking-policy). As this mandate includes all campus classrooms, please make sure you are wearing your mask while in class. If you do not have a mask or forgot yours, see the professor for available masks. If you have an exemption from the Mandatory Masking Policy, please see the professor to make accommodations before class begins. If and where possible, please make your professor aware of your exemption and/or accommodation prior to arriving in class.
If a student is unable or unwilling to wear a mask and has not made an accommodation request through the ADRC, they will be instructed to exit the classroom.
Copyright Syllabus Statement for In-Person or Online Courses
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class, or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Honesty Policy
Academic work that is submitted to an instructor is assumed the result of one's own work, thought, research, or self-examination. Further, when wording, organization, images, music, lyrics, audio sources, or ideas are borrowed from another source, that source is to be adequately acknowledged according to proper academic conventions. Projects completed for an assignment in one course cannot be turned in for another course, unless the two courses have assigned a joint project. Collaborative works should acknowledge the contribution of each of the collaborators. Plagiarism is the failure to acknowledge the use of words, ideas, images, music, and/or organization of another. Any student engaged in plagiarism may face a disciplinary hearing, possibly leading to dismissal from OU.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course are requested to speak with the instructor as early in the semester as possible. All conversations are confidential. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations in this course. The Office of Disability Services is located in Goddard Health Center, Suite 166, (405) 325-3852 (Tel) or (405) 325-4173 (TDD only).
Title IX Resources and Reporting Requirement
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, the University offers a variety of resources. To learn more or to report an incident, please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405/325-2215 (8 to 5, M-F) or smo@ou.edu. Incidents can also be reported confidentially to OU Advocates at 405/615-0013 (phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies can be directed to University Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator at 405/325-3546 or smo@ou.edu . For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/eoo.html.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact your professor or the Disability Resource Center at 405/325-3852 as soon as possible. Also, see http://www.ou.edu/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for answers to commonly asked questions.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU’s Final Exam Preparation Period policy (https://apps.hr.ou.edu/FacultyHandbook#4.10).
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather 1. LOOK for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances 2. SEEK refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building. 3. GO to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows. 4. GET IN, GET DOWN, COVER UP. 5. WAIT for official notice to resume normal activities.
Link to Severe Weather Refuge Areas , Severe Weather Preparedness - Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder: If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- GET OUT: If you believe you can get out of the area WITHOUT encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- HIDE OUT: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- TAKE OUT: As a last resort fight to defend yourself.
For more information, visit http://www.ou.edu/emergencypreparedness.html
Fire Alarm/General Emergency: If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates: 1. LEAVE the building. Do not use the elevators. 2. KNOW at least two building exits 3. ASSIST those that may need help 4. PROCEED to the emergency assembly area 5 ONCE safely outside, NOTIFY first responders of anyone that may still be inside building due to mobility issues. 6. WAIT for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019.
To schedule an appointment call (405) 325-2911.
For more information please visit http://www.ou.edu/ucc.
The instructor reserves the right to change or modify the course requirements and content if need arises. Any changes will be announced, posted on Canvas or emailed to you.
Course Summary:
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