Course Syllabus
Contact Information
About Your Professor
My name is Alison Fields and I received my PhD in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. I’ve been teaching at the University of Oklahoma for the past thirteen years and currently serve as the Associate Director of the School of Visual Arts. I have taught a range of courses on Art of the American West, visual culture, and museum studies. I’ve published works on topics including atomic memory, Native American art, memorials and monuments, and environmental studies.
Course Details
This course is the culmination of the Art and Technology degree program. Each student develops and implements an individual project relevant to their interests. This course is taught as an independent study with students checking in regularly with the instructor as they conceptualize and execute their final thesis project for completion of the program.
The aim of this course is to equip students with a professional project that will serve them well in their portfolio as they continue to develop their careers in art and design. The course is also intended to serve as a degree capstone, providing a time for students to bring their knowledge and skills to a point of culmination.
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Students in this course should have completed all required and elected techniques, seminar, and production courses in the Art and Technology degree program and be able to demonstrate the skills acquired in those courses. Students must also be concurrently enrolled in the AT 5923 Professional Forum course.
Course Materials
There are no required textbooks for this course. However, in consultation with your instructor, you will select readings to serve as a bibliography for your self-directed capstone project. These may include materials used in previous courses in this program and other materials that you identify.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Bi-weekly individual Live Session meetings with your instructor. | 20% |
| Professional Creative Project (also called Creative Project) | The Professional Creative Project (also called Creative Project) is one piece of the capstone project. It is a self-directed, creative work that is relevant to your professional goals and interests. | 60% |
| Professional Project Description |
The Professional Project Description is the second piece of the capstone project. It is a 2500-word paper describing your Professional Creative Project. |
20% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Participation
You will meet with your instructor in an individual Live Session for approximately 15 minutes every other week. Individual Live Session times will take place on Monday or Tuesday. Specific times will be determined using a sign-up sheet and kept consistent throughout the semester. In these Live Sessions, you will discuss the timeline for your work, ideas, themes, and influences on your capstone project, and problem-solve potential barriers and challenges to your work.
Professional Creative Project
In consultation with your instructor, you will develop and implement a self-directed Professional Creative Project (also called Creative Project), which is a media project that is relevant to your professional goals and interests, while demonstrating mastery of the skills and concepts introduced in the program. The Creative Project is one piece of the capstone project, and will be completed and submitted in increments throughout the course, including the following assignments:
- Creative Project Prototype
- Draft Creative Project
- Final Creative Project
More information about each assignment can be found on the Assignments pages and the associated rubrics.
This course is the culmination of the Art and Technology degree program. To facilitate the application of technical skills acquired in courses in this program, you will have access to courses that you have taken previously in this program in Canvas, including Instructor Demo videos, Discussion Board posts, etc. You and your instructor will decide which of the techniques and software covered in the Art and Technology program you will use to create your capstone project. Refer to the Resources section(s) for the corresponding Art and Technology course(s) for the software and equipment requirements of your chosen medium.
Professional Project Description
The Professional Project Description is the second piece of the capstone project. Your Professional Project Description will be a 2500-word paper describing the following:
- An artist or project statement
- The media format you have chosen to work in and why
- The subject, theme, and/or concepts embedded in your work
- How format and subject relate
- Influences on your work and any creative research that has impacted your project
- An annotated bibliography of readings and artworks that have influenced your project
Your Professional Project Description will be completed in increments throughout the course, including the following assignments:
- Project Proposal
- Draft Project Description
- Final Project Description
More information about each assignment can be found on the Assignments pages and the associated rubrics.
Course Policies
Communication
If you have questions or concerns, please contact me via Canvas message or email. You can expect a reply within 24 hours Monday through Friday. Feel free to address me by my first name in communications and in class.
Plan to come to our individual meetings prepared to show work, discuss ideas, and present progress since the last meeting.
Feedback
You should expect feedback on most assignments within one week of submission.
Attendance/Participation
Attendance, active participation, and advance preparation for individual Live Session meetings with your instructor is required. If you will be unable to attend an individual Live Session meeting for a legitimate reason, please let me know in advance. Do not be late for Live Session meetings; continued lateness will have a negative impact on your final grade.
Respect and Courtesy
You will be asked to participate in activities that involve interaction and discussion with your instructor. In doing so, I ask that you be respectful, even if you disagree.
Late Policy
All assignments should be completed and turned in on time. Failure to do so will result in a loss of one full letter grade per day for that assignment.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
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 Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important in this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
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 me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
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 the University Counseling Center.
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.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
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:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- 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.
- 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.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
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:
- Avoid: 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.
- Deny: 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.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
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:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|