Syllabus
Contemporary World Art (Art 482)
Fall 2010
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 2, 11:30-12:30
Claypool-Young 111
Instructor:  Joy Gritton
Office:  Claypool-Young 110
Phone:  783-2762;     e-mail:  j.gritton@moreheadstate.edu
Office Hours:  Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday 2s, 10:30-11:30; 12:30-1:30 or by appointment

Text:  Required readings will be placed on reserve in the Camden Carroll library in xerox form, as well as on electronic reserve and/or will be available on the course web page in the form of links to websites. Please note that you are responsible for checking the course web page for each section to find the scheduled required readings.
Students will also be expected to utilize MSU’s library collections and Internet/World Wide Web research capabilties in preparing their assignments.

Please note that the course syllabus, assignments, and other resources are available for you on line through my faculty website (http://people.morehead-st.edu/fs/j.gritton). 

Course Description, Objectives and Format: This course will provide a world-wide survey of contemporary visual arts in historical context and will explore current issues in contemporary art, including debates surrounding constructs of identity, the relationship between art and popular culture, economic conditions surrounding art making and distribution, new technologies and their impact on the visual arts, ethnocentricism vs. cultural pluralism, censorship, and gender distinctions in art making, markets, and criticism. Class sessions will consist of slide lectures, video viewings, gallery visits, a field trip, guest speakers, interactive activities and group discussions. Questions and comments are encouraged. Regular office hours are also maintained for this purpose.

The course is designed to strengthen several of the competencies required of students in the art program, such as understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures, making connections between the visual arts and other disciplines, and communicating about art effectively in written and oral form.  Students should also find that the course helps them to reflect upon and assess the characteristics and merits of the work of other artists as well as their own, and may even find that their range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas for content for works of art is greatly broadened.  Respect for the diversity of peoples, cultures, world views and thought are essential to this pursuit of healthy intellectual inquiry and creative exploration, and will be expected from both faculty and students.

This course also addresses several of the New and/or Experienced Teacher Standards at the Information, Knowledge, or Skill Levels.  The Professional Certification for Teaching Art Folio located in the Art Department Office provides specific information.

Grading:  The evaluation process in this course will focus on measuring a student's grasp of important concepts (materials, techniques, styles), as well as the larger issues presented in class and the student's capability for independent, imaginative interpretation of course material. Students will be responsible for (1) written reviews of speakers/readings/events, in addition to their class attendance and participation with in-class activities (2) a Day of the Dead artwork and/or altar and contributions towards the event (3) a public art mural (4) a short class presentation on a contemporary art article.  Graduate students will be responsible for (1) written reviews of speakers/readings/events, in addition to their class attendance and participation with in-class activities (2) a Day of the Dead artwork and/or altar and taking leadership roles in sponsoring the event (3) a public art mural and taking leadership roles in organizing this project (4) a review of a book on a particular contemporary art issue/theme. Graduate students will have separate readings from undergraduates and will be held to higher standards in terms of analysis and writing their undergraduates. Each assignment is predicated upon knowledge of the course lectures, required readings, and class discussions and is designed to encourage analytical thinking and creative and thoughtful written expression. All assignments are to be submitted in hard copy form at the beginning of class on the due date--papers will not be accepted via e-mail.  The required work will receive the following numeric value:

Undergraduate Students

Class Participation/Reading,
Exhibit, and Guest Speaker Reviews           45 %

Day of the Dead Piece                                20%
Day of the Dead Event                               10 %
Mural                                                         25%

____________________________________
                                                                 100%

Graduate Students

Class Participation/Reading,
Exhibit, and Guest Speaker Reviews          25 %

Day of the Dead Piece                              20%
Day of the Dead Event                              10 %
Mural                                                        25%
Book Review with Presentation                 20%

____________________________________
                                                                100%

                            
Grading Scale:

90-100  A          80-89  B          70-79  C            60-69   D             0-59  E



Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
In compliance with the ADA, all students with a documented disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations and services to support their academic success and safety.  Though a request for services may be made at any time, services are best applied when they are requested at or before the start of the semester. To receive accommodations and services the student should immediately contact the Disability Services Coordinator in the Office of Academic and Career Services, 223 Allie Young Hall, 606-783-5188, www.moreheadstate.edu/acs/

Missed or Late Projects:  Late projects will not be accepted unless the student has an approved, excused absence (such as serious documented illness, death in the immediate family, or university trip).  Other excuses will only be accepted at the discretion of the instructor.  

Academic Honesty:  In accordance with the "Guidelines for dealing with acts of academic dishonesty" outlined in The Eagle Student Handbook (p. 26) instances of academic dishonesty or plagiarism ("to take [ideas, writings, etc.] from [another] and offer them as one’s own") will result in failure of the particular assignment and may result in failure of the class, as well as other disciplinary action.  Record of the incident will also be maintained by the dean of students.

Attendance:  Regular attendance in class is expected and essential. No more than two unexcused absences are allowed before the class grade is affected (five points for each additional absence will be deducted from the total grade).  Excessive absences usually result in poor student performance.

Classroom Etiquette :  CELL PHONES ARE TO BE TURNED OFF BEFORE EACH CLASS.  This is disruptive to the instructor and your fellow classmates.  Unless prior permission has been obtained from the instructor for emergency cases, your cell phone going off in class will adversely affect the instructor's evaluation of your classroom participation and, thus, your grade. You should also be prepared to listen to class discussion and/or participate during class time.  If you need to sleep, do homework for other classes, or plan social activities, please take one of your allotted absences to do so.  Being “present” in class is just that—being a full participant, not simply being in your seat.

Campus Safety:  Emergency response information will be discussed in class.  Students should familiarize themselves with the nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes necessary.  You
should notify me at the beginning of the semester if you have special needs or will require assistance during an emergency evacuation.  Students should familiarize themselves with emergency response protocols at http://www.moreheadstate.edu/emergency

Schedule of Lectures (Subject to Change)

Aug.    24   Introduction to the Course         
                
           26  Art and the Public 

           31  Art and the Public cont.; Applications for both the Mural Project and Day of the Dead "job" due   
              
Sept.     2  Field Trip: LEXARTS in Lexington  

             3  Art and Healing    Public Art Readings responses due

             7 Field Trip: D.O.V.E.S.;   LEXARTS field trip responses due 

             9 Guest Speaker: public murals

            14 Spirituality, Politics, and Art: Latin America

           16  Guest Speaker: Contemporary Mexico 

           17  Latin America cont.

            21 Themes in Contemporary Art; Initial Mural Sketches due

            23 Themes in Contemorary Art

            28 Themes in Contemporary Art; Day of the Dead proposals due 

            30  Themes in Contemporary Art; Mural Supplies/Materials List and Funding Proposal Due

Oct.       1 Guest Speaker: contemporary Middle East; Feminism and Art Reading Response Due; Presentations of Proposals to Area Businesses/University  

              5 The Middle East cont.; Day of the Dead poster, press release, event plan due 

              7 The Middle East cont.  

             12 The Middle East cont.; Middle East Reading Response due 

             14  FALL BREAK: NO CLASSES

             19 Graduate Student Presentations on book critiques; Painting on Mural begins.

             21 Guest speaker: Contemporary Africa; Day of the Dead menu plans due 

             22 Africa cont.   

             26 Africa cont. 

             28 Africa cont.; *All projects, altars, and decorations for Day of the Dead due*

Nov.        2 Day of the Dead Event: all food due      
                    
               4 Day of rest: Day of the Dead reflection 
    
               5 Guest speaker: Contemporary China                      

               9 Asia cont.                     
                   
              11 Asia cont.      
                    
              16 Guest speaker: Contemporary India 

              18 Asia cont.; Mural publicity due: Press Release distributed                         
                    
              19 Eastern Europe and Russia 
                
              23 Eastern Europe and Russia cont. 

              25 Thanksgiving Break: NO CLASSES

              30 Western Europe 
                   
Dec.        2 Western Europe cont.; Journal Responses due; Mural opening reception         
                    
               7 Australia; Mural documentation (powerpoint/website) due                         
                        
               9 Student discoveries: 5 minute presentations            

              10 Student discoveries: 5 minute presentations

              13 Finals week: 5 minute presentations continued if necessary