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Integrative Studio II - Spring '26

Course: Integrative Studio II
Location: Cinema Soundstage (Comm 1116) & Northlight Studio (Comm 1251)
Time: F 09:00am-11:50am

Course Syllabus Location: http://www.robertspahr.com/studio2/
Course Information:
Needham - CIN 342 Integrative Studio II - 001
Spahr - CIN 342 Integrative Studio II - 002

Professor: Robert Spahr, MFA
Contact: rspahr@siu.edu
Office: COMM 1056C
Office Hours:
W  11:00am-03:00pm
R  02:00pm-04:00pm
& by appointment

Professor: Jay Needham, MFA
Contact: jayn@siu.edu
Office: Comm 1107
Office Hours:
R  01:00pm-04:00pm
& by appointment

Teaching Assistant: Saba Raissian
Contact: saba.raissian@siu.edu
Office: COMM 0012
Office Hours: TBD

Teaching Assistant: Drew McGinniss
Contact: andrew.mcginniss@siu.edu
Office: COMM 0010J
Office Hours: TBD

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.

This course is a continuation of Integrative Studio I, as we continue our explorations of the process of creativity while exploring a variety of media arts practices focusing on adaptation and interdisciplinarity. 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, 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. Media and Materials fee: $75.

Our semester draws on themes and ideas that originated in the legend of Faust and then later popularized by Christopher Marlowe in his 1592 book, The Historie of the Damnable Life, and Deserved Death of Doctor Iohn Faustus. If you are familiar with a narrative that aligns a main character’s deal with the devil at a crossroads, then you have an origin point for our adaptations and explorations during the semester. As we analyze the themes in Faust, students will learn about different strategies and concepts relating to adaptation which will then be applied to their individualized interpretations and class projects. Throughout the semester, a series of thematically aligned workshops will support the exploration of the modernist art movement of German Expressionism amd Montage, and how they served to influence a range of important film genres including German expressionist and Soviet cinema, Film noir, Horror and Science fiction. Workshop topics include: lighting and sound design, directing, camera and editing, acting, performance art, narrative tableaux, 3D printing.

Bridging Theory and Practice
CIN 342 Integrative Studio II is part of a unique sequence that is combined with CIN 362 New Media Then, and CIN 302 Media Arts Practice II. These three 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 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. #
We will begin class in the Cinema Soundstage (Comm 1116).

INTRODUCTIONS, DIRECTING WORKSHOP, SYLLABUS

Fri Jan 16
Introductions, Acting/Directing, Syllabus

Fri Jan 23
German Expressionism in Visual Art and Music

Fri Jan 30
Lighting Design: Expressionism

Fri Feb 06
PITCH PRESENTATIONS

Fri Feb 13
Mise-en-scène, Costumes, Lighting, & World Building

Fri Feb 20
Multiples, Relief Printing, and 3D Printers

Fri Feb 27
STUDIO DAY
Multiple Image is due.

Fri Mar 06
STUDIO DAY

Week of Fri Mar 13
*** SPRING BREAK ***

Fri Mar 20
STUDIO DAY

Fri Mar 27
STUDIO DAY

Fri Apr 03
STUDIO DAY

Fri Apr 10
STUDIO DAY

Fri Apr 17
Studio Day

Fri Apr 24
CRITIQUE: FRAGMENTS OF FAUST

Fri May 01
FOUNDATIONS PORTFOLIO - PREPARATION

May 05-09
FINALS WEEK: FOUNDATIONS PORTFOLIO PRESENTATIONS

Supply List (Required)

**All required supply list materials must be brought to each class meeting**

• Mixed Media Sketchbook — at least 160g paper weight and 8x8".
  Recommended: Square Sketchbook for Drawing or Canson XL Series Mixed Media Pad

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:
You are expected to attend ALL classes. You are allowed up to ONE unexcused absence. Unexcused absence beyond this threshold may result in failing this course. Attendance will be taken at 9:00am sharp and absences will affect your grade. After three absences that are not accompanied by a doctor’s note, the student will be subject to a letter drop.

Due to the nature of practiced based courses, the class itself cannot be made up due to absences as it is an experiential course dependent on in-class participation in critiques and completion of exercises/projects. You will be marked "late" if you are not in the classroom five minutes after class begins. Leaving during class and/or leaving class early will be considered equivalent to being absent.

For absences due to medical issues to be excused, appropriate documentation is necessary. You must also email the professors at jayn@siu.edu and rspahr@siu.edu prior to being absent.

Workshops / Assignments:
All Projects and homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late projects will not be accepted. In the case of an excused absence a doctor's note is required.

Journal / Sketchbook:
By the end of the semester, the journal / sketchbook should be filled with drawings, notes, articles from class, fabrics, color swatches, images, etc. As students’ progress, the journal / sketchbook should accurately depict their growth and development over the semester. The journal / sketchbook is an ongoing project throughout the semester.

Examples of how the journal / sketchbook should be used will be discussed in class.

Critique:
Students will work closely with each other to develop their projects. This includes developing your verbal skills, confidence, and insights about receiving and providing criticism. Students will work to express themselves clearly while respectfully discussing their own and others artwork.

As a practiced based course, you are required to actively participate in class conversation and critique. Missing class and not participating in class activities will result in a lower grade in the course. In critique, always be respectful when discussing others’ work and practice constructive criticism. Be prepared to explain your reasoning if simply stating "I like it." or "I hate it." Failure to participate in class will result in a poor participation grade.

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:

• 25% Originality of concept
• 25% Delivery (execution of the concept)
• 25% Craft
• 25% Critique & participation

Your final grade will be determined by the following:

• 40% Workshops
• 30% Participation
• 20% Faust Film Fragment
• 10% Journal / Sketchbook

Film Fridays

Attending Film Fridays is optional. These screenings are supplemental to the ideas and concepts we will be exploring in the class. These screenings are informal and a fun opportunity to watch films in a social setting. The screenings are free and open to all SIU students, faculty, and staff.

Film Fridays Schedule - Spring 2026

SIU Syllabus Attachment

SIU Syllabus Attachment - Spring '26 - PDF