Course Description

ART210 is a studio/performance oriented course. It is an introduction to the usage of electronic and digital tools for artistic creations from an aesthetic point of view.

In this class we will study the history, evolution and theory of current technologies in order to understand their potential as creating tools, contextualizing the software and hardware that will be used by the students throughout the semester.

Process and Strategy

The class will be divided into two main areas. The first half will be devoted to understanding the basics of pixel altering softwares such as Photoshop, ImageReady and Fireworks, vector based softwares such as Illustrator and Freehand, and their applications in the printed world, using Quark.

In the second half we will explore the particularities of creations for the electronic publishing world using XHTML and CSS via Dreamweaver, studying the evolution of the web and the potential and differences of creating for an electronic networked support.

Knowing that this is also an introduction to the particularities of the digital creation in an artistic environment, we will study examples (CD ROMS, websites, movies...) created by traditional and contemporary creators, reading also short essays and texts about digital artistic processes.

There will be a different assignment for each class, where the students will apply the concepts presented during the previous session, and a group critique in order to solve any misunderstandings and conflicts.

The assignments are there to ensure the students will learn how to use the hardware ( computer, scanner, CDR, printer, digital camera, other peripherals... ,) the software and start exploring their own abilities to express and create using these tools.

Readings / assignments / requirements

Create your own blogs for the class. In these blogs you will be posting your assignments and comments.

Short readings will be distributed throughout the semester. There are no required books to purchase. Most of the information will be provided by the teacher or will be found freely online. Critiques will frequently be initiated from various topics covered in the readings. In order to participate effectively you will need to have read the required texts and be able to articulate your responses to them within the context of class discussion and critique. We will watch plenty of excerpts from movies and documentaries during the class that will also be considered as part of the material for the class.

Get plenty of blank CD-R, you will be using them permanently over the semester. You can also use your own portable hard-drives or iPods, and even MemorySticks such as Sandisk or others in case you have any, to store your art work. If you want to, and you have the software installed in your machines, bring your laptops to the classroom.

No email or chatting will be allowed during our sessions. All the cell phones should be silenced. NO EATING or DRINKING in the labs will be tolerated, unless it is required by a medical prescription.

Participation

A class is a multiway form of communication. I am very open to a lot of proposals, and NO DISCRIMINATION will be tolerated or promoted. Consider the class as a brainstorming session. And please contact me during office hours, or send me an email so we can solve any problem before the class.

Your blogs will be the equivalent of your diary for the class. They will need to be updated 1 day before the class and they will be graded. I will be checking these blogs in order to track your evolution during the sessions, and also as a way to know that you are reading and exploring all the files I will be presenting. You can post any comments on your blogs, be aware these blogs will be public and accessible to everyone in the class.

No animals, persons or yourselves will be harmed during the production of your assignments. Nothing can justify harming physically or psychologically a living creature - including yourselves. You are responsible for the respect of other students, and I count on your integrity for this.

Grading 

There will be several mini projects throughout the course, including papers, miniprojects, and others. Each one of them will be a part of the final 70% of the grade. If necessary I will do some pop quizes, depending on the students' participation and motivation, and depending on how certain classes work, I might add an extra work not listed in the syllabus. The midterm and the final project will each count for 15% of the final grade.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. NO EXCUSES, more than 3 unexcused absences you will have the chance to withdraw the class - if allowed by the academic calendar - or you will get an F. I really consider that punctuality and assistance are the most important parts of a class. If you miss a class, you will never be able to experience that class again. I use the word "experience" because not all the information given during the class can be put in paper, or even videotaped. Classes are a question of communication, and communication implies many different ways of exchanging information, the feeling, the laughters, the collective experience... An absence for any reason is an absence. It is your responsibility to initiate and maintain communication with me in case of an unusual circumstance.

If you were not able to do your homework, please do not miss a class! Never miss a class and be responsible for your actions. If you are absent and you have not posted your homework on your blog / site, you will get an F on that project. I will not be able to grade the project if you do not attend the class. Depending on the circumstances I will grade a late project over B maximum, only if you are present in the classroom when the project is due.

Academic Integrity

"In the event that a student violates any provision of The University of Tampa's policy on academic integrity as spelled out in the student handbook, the professor reserves the right to assign whatever grade for the course the professor judges to be appropriate, including a grade of F, without regard to the student's accumulated points. Violations of academic integrity will be handled in accordance with the University's policies. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the policies of the university regarding academic integrity and to avoid violating these policies." (from the UT PT Faculty Handbook, page 10-11)

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

"If there is any student who has special needs because of any disability, please go directly to Dr. Cheri Kittrell in PH 409 to report your needs and provide documentation of your disability for certification. Please feel free to discuss this issue with me, in private, if you need more information." (UT PT Faculty Handbook, page 11)

The University of Tampa Disruption Policy

At the University of Tampa, it is expected that all students will observe acceptable classroom behavior that fosters an atmosphere of learning, free and open exchange of thought, and respect for the individual within the learning environment*. Faculty members are expected to establish
the standards of acceptable classroom behavior in their syllabus, and such standards are to be clearly communicated to students. If a student chooses to engage in behavior(s) that contradict these standards, the faculty member is to adhere to the following policy.

1. In the case of threatening and/or physically disturbing behavior, Campus Safety and Security (ResCom, 251-5133) or the appropriate local law enforcement agency will be summoned to alleviate the situation. The individual(s) will be removed from the learning environment pending a university hearing. If deemed necessary by the faculty member within the learning environment, the class may be dismissed and rescheduled if appropriate.

2. Following non-critical incidents of unacceptable behavior within a learning environment, the faculty member will discuss such behavior with the student. It is to be understood that this discussion will serve as a warning to the student. Such discussion will emphasize the action(s) to be taken by the faculty member, if a continuation of the behavior should occur. Any incident(s) where the behavior is deemed to be more serious in nature, the faculty member may elect to file a complaint directly with the Office of Student Conduct. As a matter of record, all conversations with a student regarding aspects of classroom behavior should be documented with copies forwarded to student as well as the appropriate department chairperson. Students are cautioned that should the situation move to a judicial hearing, they will be removed from the learning
environment pending the outcome of the hearing.

3. If the inappropriate behavior persists and/or escalates despite a warning from the faculty member, a report will be filed with the Office of Student Conduct. The individual(s) responsible for such behavior will be advised that their actions merit a judicial review/hearing. The report is to include a copy of any written warning(s) issued to responsible parties, a copy of the syllabus or other documentation which outlines the faculty member's classroom behavioral policy for the course wherein the behavior occurred, and any other relevant information (i.e. statements from witnesses, other written communication/email, and/or physical evidence).

4. The Students Rights and Responsibilities shall govern the subsequent proceedings. An Administrative Board will hear the case unless otherwise specified by the Associate Dean of Students. If appropriate, sanctions will be assigned in accordance with established procedures and based upon the severity of the behavior(s) in question. Sanctions may include but are not limited to: course section change, removal from the course entirely, or suspension/dismissal from the university. If a student is removed from the course, no academic credit will be earned.

* A learning environment is defined as a space wherein educational instruction is administered. A learning environment may include but is not limited to a classroom, studio, performance or gallery space, office, laboratory, lecture hall, conference/meeting/function room, or university sponsored events held at off-campus locations.

Possible last-minute changes

Although unlikely, it is possible that last-minute changes might be made to the dates for all assignments or class meetings, excepting only the final exam. In this unlikely event, I'll make all possible efforts to inform students with sufficient lead-time. I reserve the right to modify this syllabus for any reason at any time.