Course Description

The course is intended to provide art majors an introduction to the field of art through the verbal and visual exploration of content, process, and media. Students will be introduced to the various areas of study offered in art at Truman. Students will also be asked to engage in activities intended to assess and develop verbal and written skills through the examination of contemporary and historical issues in the visual arts. An introduction to the Art Assessment program and University Assessment Program will be provided to students.

Expanded Course Description

Special Note for Students with Disabilities

Course Objective

• Be introduced to the various degree programs in the visual arts at Truman State University
• Receive an introduction to the Art Assessment Program
• Be introduced to the University Assessment Program, especially the University Portfolio – a graduation requirement at Truman
• Engage in activities that will provide you an opportunity to develop your verbal skills relative to your major, especially in the areas of art vocabulary/terminology and discussion/presentation
• Works as a member of a group to strengthen your skills in this important dimension of learning

Student Expectation

As a student in this course you are expected to:

• Attend all designated class meetings*
• Demonstrate your engagement in class by participating in discussions and activities and by being prepared for each class by completing and designated readings or other assignments
• Complete all assignments on time
• Complete the Incoming Student Survey
• Be a contributing member of a group and to participate in completing a collective project
• Attend and submit a brief written review of five approved cultural events

Attendance Policy

Since so much of this course is intended to provide you with an introduction to various aspects of the visual arts program at Truman, attendance at all scheduled class meetings designated for you is expected and required. If you must miss class for a University sanctioned event(s) – for example your participation in a band or ensemble trip, a University-sponsored research conference, athletic event, etc. –you will be excused from attendance but not from the responsibility for any assignments or other class work. You must communicate with me and receive prior approval from me for missing class because of your participation in a University sponsored event Failure to do so will result in courting your absence as unexcused.

If you are sick and might be contagious to others, do not attend class; but do notify me of your illness so that we can work out a plan for any work you may miss and so that I will not court your absence as unexcused.

Basis for Your Evaluation ** (Grading)

I will calculate your final grade in the following manner:

• Group project participation and PPT presentation + website or team page – 200 points
• Cultural events attendance and written summary (5 required)
  For each event: 30 points                                                                             – 150 points
• Class attendance                                                                                        – 50 points
• A 50-point-deduction may occur if the student missed three classes, excluding medically excused absence, family emergencies, and four excused absences on senior presentations.
• The student will fail the class if s/he absents five or more classes, excluding medically excused absence, family emergencies, and four excused absences on senior presentations. Due to the large size of class, you may miss the attendance sheet sometimes. If so, please come see the course instructor right after the class, and find the attendance sheet to check.

** Acts of Academic Dishonesty (see below) will not be tolerated. If you commit such an act your grade on the assignment/activity will be courted as an “F” or zero credit grade. This includes being dishonest in your cultural events attendance and class attendance.

Academic Dishonesty

Below is an excerpt from Truman’s Student Conduct Code on Academic Misconduct/Dishonesty. You should read and understand the implications of the entire code.  Please review the following related to class policy on Academic Integrity:

Acts. Of academic misconduct/dishonesty, including, but not limited to the following :

1. Cheating: Defined as using or attempting to use unauthorized (a) materials, (b) information, or (c) study aids in any academic exercise.
2. Fabrication: Defined as unauthorized (a) falsification or (b) invention of any information (including research data) or citation in an academic exercise.
3. Facilitating academic dishonesty: Defined as (a) assisting or (b) attempting to assist another to commit an act of academic dishonesty, whether or not that action is associated with any particular course.
4. Plagiarism: Intentional representation of the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, (a) the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work or sections of a work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement; (b) the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials, including material taken from or ordered through the Internet; and/or (c) the unacknowledged use of original work/material that has been produced through collaboration with others without release in writing from collaborators.
5. Sabotage: Defined as, but is not limited to, the unauthorized interference with, modification of, or destruction of the work or intellectual property of another member of the University community.