Syllabus

Art 345 Sound and Image

Instructor: Professor Joseph Delappe
T/Th 1:00-3:15pm in CFA 207

Office: CFA 158

Office Hours: T/Th 11:00am to 12:30pm

Email: delappe@unr.edu

http://unr-art345.blogspot.com 
Lecture+Lab: 1+4


Credit(s): 3

Investigation and creation of audio and image production for the studio artist. Creation of experimental audio and video works for performance and installation.

Prerequisite(s): ART 245.


Course Objectives:


In this class we will explore the creation and history of artworks in sound, visual art, and across disciplines. Through the use of analog and digital systems students will engage with experimental approaches culminating in exhibitions for physical and online space. Working independently and collaboratively students will explore software and hardware systems to produce original interdisciplinary works for contexts including: mobile devices, vinyl records, live performance, video projections, gallery installation, and online delivery. The objective is to creatively explore the implications and possibilities of time based media for interaction and display.  

    

Student Learning Outcomes:

•Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to perform intermediate competencies utilizing digital software and hardware systems for practice-based creative research, leading to the development of exploratory models for learning and production in experimental digital art.

•Students will apply analog and computer-based systems for creative production in a studio setting, including intermediate problem solving utilizing: digital video, digital sound, installation and projected video.

•Students will examine and discuss critical issues and practices in the areas of digital media and interdisciplinary practices in the visual arts.

•Students will articulate an intermediate level of knowledge of critical theory and practices in the areas of sound, video and interactive art.

•Students will demonstrate experiential competency in sound and video art for public contexts.

•Students will apply, in discussion, critiques and written work, concepts central to experimental digital media practices.

•Students will develop a proficiency in writing about their creative practice and others while learning best practices for basic website/blog development.

Course Content:

This course will involve a hands on, balanced investigation of the history and practices surrounding sound and image within public environments. The course will function to provide students the opportunity to work through structured projects and those conceptualized through a challenging process of problem solving and implementation of complex, technology based artworks. Throughout the course activities we will seek to incorporate the utilization of the computer and related technologies. This course emphasizes the personal and group development of critical thinking, artistic and technical skills. Readings, screenings and discussions will be used to further expand the student’s exposure to and understanding of sound and video as crucial areas of expression available to the contemporary artist. 

Course Structure:
Students will be working on a series of individual and group projects each lasting between 1-3 weeks.  We will as well, over the entire course of the term, work to explore artworks both contemporary and historical to continue developing a contextual and critical understanding of the evolving field of art, technology and social practice as specifically related to experimental uses of sound and video.

Course Philosophy:

The Digital Media program exists as part of the larger Art Studio program for the Department of Art – all studio programs currently focus on the development of a contemporary approach to studio art practice and theory.  The program emphasizes an artistic, experimental and technical approach to learning to utilize media systems as tools for the facilitation of socially engaged art. The intent is to provide an intensive learning environment that considers new technologies as broadly flexible tools available to the contemporary artist.  The Digital Media program and this course emphasizes a creative model that is based on collaboration, dialogue and cooperative learning.  

This is a thoroughly hands-on course. You will learn in this class by doing – students will be given broad introductions to a variety of applications and devices as incorporated into their project assignments. Learning to use these complex graphics programs, online technologies and computer peripherals takes much dedication of time and a flexible attitude towards experiential practice and learning.  Learning to become proficient utilizing new technologies is accomplished through both individual and shared experience.  What you derive from this class in terms of technical learning will largely be defined by the amount of time you spend exploring and experimenting.

Finally, you will be challenged constantly to consider just what you are doing with these new tools to connect with our larger context. This course seeks to develop an alternative pedagogy for learning just what it means to be an artist in our contemporary time and place.

Techniques:


You will be introduced to the following basic programs and systems:
 Looping mobile audio
, Soundtrack and/or Audacity, 
Finalcut Pro and/or Adobe Premier, digital cameras, .mov file and DVD creation for projections, monitors, and online distribution.
 We will as well be incorporating various physical tools for production, including but not limited to: laser cutter and various shop tools.

Readings:

Assigned readings will be provided as pdf files or through online links. There is no textbook for this course

Course Requirements:


• Each student will complete all assigned class projects. Project documentation will be uploaded and accessible to the instructor and students on individual student blogs. Students will also exhibit their works for the class during group critiques, and many of these works will be exhibited on a larger public scale within the art department, university and local public spaces as needed.

• Students are expected to participate in class critiques of works, both completed and in progress. As the term evolves, we will orient towards weekly progress critiques. Talking about your work and others is a crucial aspect of creating art. Learning to articulate what your work is about is just as important as the actual making of the work. The ideas shared in an open critique will help us all learn from each other and greatly increase our ability to understand our creative practice.



• Attendance is mandatory at all scheduled class meetings. If you are to be absent for any reason please contact me via email the day of the class that you are missing.



• Supplies: 
Smart phone, External Storage Device, etc. – we will talk about this further in class (ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR WORK!).



• Artist Statements: You will be writing artist’s statements regarding your projects. These are to be posted to your blog along with associated project documentation (sound files, video files, etc).



• Required Outside Lectures: Each student is required to attend two approved lectures and two outside exhibition/performance/film-screening, these are regularly announced in class. I will provide you with a list of approved events both on campus and off. You are required to write a one page critical summary of each event and two questions to ask the speaker (extra credit will be given to those who actually ask their question at the event!).

• Lecture/Lab Component: Lecture periods will be devoted to presentations, demonstrations, reading discussions, and critiques. Students are required to work at minimum an additional 6 hours per week of work outside of the scheduled class times (studio production, reading assignments, etc.)

  

  
Computer Access:


Ours is a streamlined, small computer and media arts laboratory with a limited number of student workstations. In light of this situation and specifically in recognition of the fact that we cannot provide a workstation for each student during scheduled class times, we will be working from a lecture/lab model that requires that the majority of your work is to be completed outside of our scheduled lecture class periods.  Students should expect to complete their work during our lab/studio days and during after hours access to our lab. All student projects are to be completed during available lab hours in the Digital Media Studio, on your own computers or in the Knowledge Center’s Dynamic Media Lab. 

The media lab of the Knowledge Center’s Dynamic Media Lab as well has capable staff on site to assist students.

You will be assigned a digital access code for after-hours access to the Digital Media Studio by the end of the second week of the term.

Grading:

Grading: Students will be graded according to how well their projects reflect an understanding and a willingness to experiment with the techniques, issues and practices covered in class. 

If a student chooses to not turn in an assignment, the student will earn a ZERO (0) for the assignment. 
NO LATE WORKS ARE ACCEPTED!

•Grades for the critiques based on quality of work, evidence of time spent, attainment of project goals, articulation of your processes, responses to others work, etc.

•Grades for projects based on creativity, exploration, and a willingness to engage with readings and concepts discussed in class.

•Grades for blog based on clarity of writing, quality of responses, number and quality of images, organization composition and quality of design.

•In class participation grades based upon attendance, notes required for medical excuses.

Grades on reviews based on clarity of description of event, concise critique and analysis, original thoughts and appropriately intellectual responses.

Grading Rubric

•60% Studio Projects - 600 pts 

•20% Participation/critiques, discussions. -    200 pts (15 weeks x 10 pts per week+ 50pts engagement)

•20% Written lecture and exhibition reviews. -  200 pts (4 reviews x 25 pts ea)

Total points: 1000
A = 1000-900

B = 899-800

C = 799-700

D = 699-600

F = 599-000

I will meet with each of you individually at the midterm to discuss your progress in the class and provide advising regarding the Digital Media program. You will receive written comments and a grade for each project.


The “+” and “-“ system will be used for grading.  http://www.unr.edu/provost/curriculum-central/curricula-forms-and-guidelines/syllabus-guidelines/nshe-grading-policy

Policy on Attendance
Absences

There are no official absences from any university class. It is the personal responsibility of the student to consult with the professor regarding absence from class. In the event that a student misses a class because of an official university function or event or because of serious personal considerations, the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life Services may, at its discretion, send an explanation to the instructor involved or to the faculty in general. The instructor shall make the final determination on whether the missed work can be done at a time other than during the regularly scheduled class period.

Religious Holy Days:  It is the policy of NSHE to be sensitive to the religious obligations of its students. Any student missing classes, quizzes, examinations or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holy days will, whenever possible, be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make-up work will apply to the religious holy day absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor in advance in writing, if the student intends to participate in a religious holy day which does not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the assignment at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the institution which could not reasonably have been avoided.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty:

"Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses" constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment.
For more details, see the University General Catalog.

Policy on Disability:

If you have a disability and will be requiring assistance, please contact me or the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building Suite 100) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Academic Success Services: 
Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or www.unr.edu/tutoring/), and University Writing Center (784-6030 or http://www.unr.edu/writing_center/. These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful student.

Statement on Audio and Video Recording:
“Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.”