Integrative Studio II - Spring '23

{ synced with New Media Then and Media Arts Practice 2 }

Professor: Robert Spahr
Contact: rspahr@siu.edu
Office: Comm 1056B
Office Hours:
W  09:00am-12:00pm
R   01:00pm-04:00pm
& by appointment

Course: Integrative Studio II
Location: Northlight Studio (Comm 1251)
Time: F 09:00am-11:50am

Course Syllabus Location: http://www.robertspahr.com/studio2/
Course Information: CIN 470D Integrative Studio II - 001 - 25283

Dr. Finley Friebert, an Assitant Professor of Media Studies in the School of Media Arts (SoMA), will be intensively involved in this course, particularly as we attempt to integrate the content of his class, CIN 302: New Media Then with Integrative Studio II.

Teaching Assistant: Leah Sutton
Contact: leah.sutton@siu.edu
Office: Comm 0012D
(Communications Basement down the hall from the New Media Center)
Office Hours:
T 11:00am-03:00pm
R 11:00am–01:00pm
& by appointment
Leah Sutton, a second-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) student in the Interdisciplinary Media Arts is the teaching assistant for both Integrative Studio II and New Media Then.

Required Text:

* All required readings will be available online. *

Suggested Text:

Description:

School of Media Arts First-Year Curriculum
Your first year at the School of Media Arts is a time of exploration and discovery as you develop your creative process, critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills. The two semesters of foundation courses immerse you in the making of media arts, as well as media arts history and theory resulting in the development of your critical practice as you learn to better reflect on your studio work. All students in the School of Media Arts follow a first-year curriculum, which provides a rigorous and exciting course of study, exposing you to a range of art, design and media practices which will be the foundational support for your entire education and your creative life after graduation.

Integrative Studio II
This course is a continuation of CIN 341 Integrative Studio I, as we continue our explorations of the process of creativity while exploring a variety of media arts practices. We will consider what we make, how we make it, and we will ask why? How do we generate and capture ideas? How can our research become part of this process? Through individual and collaborative group activities you will engage in a series of media projects that ask you to experiment, visualize, question, look, listen, play, fail, iterate, and reflect. As part of a unique sequence of foundations courses, Integrative Studio II seeks to integrate history, theory and practice by directly addressing the ideas and concepts taught in CIN 362 New Media Then, as well as exploring artists' writings about their art, and is co-taught by both instructors. These two courses work to bridge theory and practice as students complete projects which connects their studio practice and their scholarly research. Our shared goal is to integrate making, writing, and reflecting essential components of the creative process.

Bridging Theory and Practice
CIN 470D Integrative Studio 1 is part of a unique sequence that is combined with CIN 361 New Media Now, and co-taught by both instructors. These two courses bridge theory and practice as students complete projects which connects their studio practice and their scholarly research. Our shared goal is to integrate making, writing, and reflecting essential components of the creative process.

Objectives:

• Develop an awareness of the creative process as it applies to the arts and everyday life.
• Develop technical skills for creating and analyzing media arts and interactivity through the exploration of individual and collaborative group projects.
• Increase knowledge relevant to integrate making, writing, and reflecting essential components of the creative process.

Syllabus:

# Syllabus is subject to change with notice. #

Fri Jan 20
Introduction, Theory and Practice, Artist Writings

Fri Jan 27
STUDIO DAY & CRITIQUE
Due: Artist Statement #1
Due: Self-Portrait

Fri Feb 03
STUDIO DAY

Fri Feb 10
STUDIO DAY

Fri Feb 17
STUDIO DAY

Fri Feb 24
CRITIQUE: Self-Initiated Project #1 is due.
Due: Artist Statement #2
Assign: Self-Initiated Project #2
Guidelines to Self-Initiate a Project

Fri Mar 03
CRITIQUE: Self-Initiated Project #1 continued

Fri Mar 10
STUDIO DAY / CRITIQUE: Self-Initiated Project #1 continued

Week of Fri Mar 17
*** SPRING BREAK ***

Fri Mar 24
STUDIO DAY / COLLABORATIVE GROUP WORKSHOP

Fri Mar 31
STUDIO DAY
Assign: Artist Statement #3 (PDF format, 1 page limit. Put your name and date on the document and email it to Rob and Leah.)

Fri Apr 07
STUDIO DAY

Fri Apr 14
Power Outage - Class Canceled

Fri Apr 21
CRITIQUE: Self-Initiated Project #2 is due.
Due: Artist Statement #3

Fri Apr 28
CRITIQUE: Self-Initiated Project #2 continues

Fri May 05
Screening: David Lynch - Blue Velvet

May 08-12
FINALS WEEK
We will not meet during finals week.

Supply List

• Basic drawing supplies such as pencils and/or charcoal
• Sketchbook / Journal that is at least size 8.5" x 11"
• A wifi enabled laptop running either Windows, Mac OS, or Linux

Evaluation:

The work in this course requires motivation, exploration, risk-taking, and most importantly, an openness to new ideas. The grading policy of this class is meant to encourage you to explore new ideas and take chances. Do not think in terms of "What must I do to receive an A grade", but think in terms of what you would like to learn.

Attendance:
Attendance to all classes is expected. You are allowed up to ONE unexcused absences. Unexcused absence beyond this threshold may result in failing this course.

Assignments:
All assignments and projects are due at the beginning of class. Late projects will not be accepted.

Sketchbook / Journal:
Students will create at least one self-reflection response to their weekly investigations. Self-reflection entries are due the day they appear on the syllabus schedule. Students should also document their creative process and artistic development within the sketchbook / journal. Think of the sketchbook as a resource to contain your present ideas and hints of future directions to explore. The sketchbook is an important tool to be used as you self-initiate your projects. Bring your sketchbook/journal and writing/drawing tools to every class. I will randomly collect and evaluate the sketchbook/journal throughout the semester.

Readings:
We will be exploring artists' writings about their art. For each of the assigned readings, you should add into your sketchbook a quote that you found significant. Be prepared to explain and discuss each quote in your own words. Readings are due the day they appear on the syllabus schedule.

Critique:
A critique in a studio course is equivalent to an exam in a studies course. Critique is one of the most important methods of assessment used in my classes. Students learn the verbal skills to describe and analyze their own work and the work of others.

Self-Initiated Projects:
In the Foundations sequence of courses you have worked through a series of exercises and projects in which you have explored a broad ranges of media art and design practices, and have tackled a range of subjects, themes and issues. In this course you will self-initiate two projects that will allow you to develop and explore your own concerns through the lens of your emerging disciplinary focus. Details of these projects will be discussed in class.

Group Exhibit Project:
A collaborative group exhibit will be developed in class. This exhibit will be curated and structured by the group. Details will be discussed in class.

Final Portfolio:
For your final portfolio, please upload five pieces and your final artist statement from the past year in a folder with your name on it in the following format: (Last Name, First Name) in the title of the folder. (See Leah's email for the link to OneDrive)

Grading:

A 95-100,   A- 92-95
Outstanding work.
Solution shows excellent depth of understanding and innovation. The solution has been fully developed in form and concept.

B+ 88-91,   B 85-87,   B- 82-84
Good work.
Solution exceeds all requirements and shows above average depth of understanding. Demonstrates more than adequate clarity of idea and execution.

C+ 78-81,   C 75-77,   C- 72-74
Average work.
Problem has been solved adequately, but the solution lacks depth of understanding, development and innovation.

D+ 68-71,   D 65-67,   D- 62-64
Poor work.
Solution is extremely weak and lacks understanding and innovation. Technical skills are weak.

F 61 or less
Unacceptable work.
Solution to the problem is unresolved and incomplete resulting in a failing grade.

Each project will be graded on artistic, creative and intellectual merit.

Grades will be based on the following:

• 20% Originality of concept
• 20% Delivery (execution of the concept)
• 20% Documentation / Process
• 20% Craft
• 20% Critique & participation

Your final grade will be determined by the following:

• 50% Two Self-Initiated Projects
• 20% Workshops / Exercises / Participation
• 20% Group Exhibition Project
• 20% Final Portfolio and Artist Statement
• 10% Sketchbook / Journal

COVID-19

We will follow the mandated COVID-19 guidelines established by the university. Should the conditions change and we need to work remotely, I will work on transitioning our class to a hybrid online format. Further information on the SIU policy on COVID-19: https://siu.edu/coronavirus/

SIU Syllabus Attachment

SIU Syllabus Attachment - Spring '23 - PDF