Syllabus
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Associate Professor Jen Pepper
Course schedule
T TH FA 111.01 Eckel 109/MacDonald Lecture Hall = Art History One 9:30 - 10:50
T TH SA 121.01 Jephson Campus A 206 = Painting 2:00 - 4:50 PM included also is SA321 Intermediate Painting
T TH SA 499.01 Jephson Campus A 209 = Senior Project Thesis Exhibition Development 6:00 - 8:50 pm
OH T TH 12:00 - 1:50
W 1:00 - 2:30 pm
and by appointment at jpepper@cazenovia.edu
Office = Jephson Campus A #210
Course Introduction and description
Senior Seminar Project and Thesis Exhibition is the second half in a sequence of two courses in a student’s senior year. Students in the Studio Art and Photo programs will design, create, research, write and defend a significant body of creative work along with their Capstone research paper written in the previous Fall term.
Senior Seminar Project and Thesis Exhibition emphasizes the completion and presentation of both components completed at the culmination of the spring term in the Art Gallery in Reisman Hall.
As a year long course project, this activity gives each student the opportunity to look backwards and forward simultaneously; back over his or her academic and professional experiences at the college, and forward to future careers in a particular field they envision themselves in or further academic training on the graduate level.
Each part of the Senior Seminar Project and Thesis Exhibition in the fall and spring semesters provide a strong committed foundations for future professional endeavors.
In its final state, the senior project is made up of both written and visual components. The presentation in the form of a Solo exhibition and Oral Defense of these two parts, are delivered to the student’s selected Thesis Committee members; comprising of at least two college faculty members, the faculty advisor for Senior Research Project and one outside professional contact person, guests and campus community members, by invitation of each BFA candidate.
Methods of Instruction + Studio procedures
Due to the nature of the independent work each student will be engaged in, this course will function as a seminar where information is exchanged primarily through discussion between students and faculty advisor. Class time will be spent in critique, workshops dealing with research skills and resources, student presentations and independent work.
Throughout each term, students will meet independently and in small groups with the professor to discuss the evolution of their project.
Throughout each term, students will meet independently and in small groups with the professor to discuss the evolution of their project.
Student responsibilities + expectations
Engaged communication commitments with your Faculty Advisor, Committee Members and students within the class context is a must.
Responsibility and time management is a must.
This is the culminating event that each student has worked so hard towards throughout their college career.
Rigorous engagement and motivation should carry through to the work each student carries on out outside of class time on a regular basis.
Professional participation in meetings with the student’s Thesis Committee Members and Faculty Advisor is a valuable time crucial to the student’s evolution as a studio professional.
It is important for each student to take thorough notes regarding what is said during lecture.
ALWAYS be prepared with work, research materials, preliminary sketches, questions, etc. before each critique.
Present your work as professionally as possible at all times!
It is important for each student to take thorough notes regarding what is said during lecture.
ALWAYS be prepared with work, research materials, preliminary sketches, questions, etc. before each critique.
Present your work as professionally as possible at all times!
Students are expected to attend all classes and to stay for the duration of each class. Should a student know that they will be late or absent, they must email the faculty advisor regarding the reason. Should a student wander from class, it is expected that they will notify the faculty advisor as to why.
Objectives and Course Goals
Each student must meet the following criteria to end the term successfully:
1. The creative work must be made up of 3 parts, including
1. The creative work must be made up of 3 parts, including
i. A rigorous and completed creative and research project
ii. Continual evidence of the student's creative process and further insightful research gained.
iii. Appropriate professional visual presentation including:
- an artist’s project statement
- a student biography (created in Professional Practices)
- promotional materials including post cards, brochures, business card, et al.
- a self - published exhibition catalogue to have on hand at the student's solo exhibit
- a second exhibition catalogue that will include installation shots of the student's
solo exhibition that will become a part of the college's library collection that accompanies the student's Capstone research paper
- a professional exhibition resume
- personal website constructed and launched (created in Professional Practices)
2. Capstone Research paper
The subject, the majority, if not all, is completed in the previous fall term is a minimum of 20 pages.
The research paper should be on a topic of interest to the student and related thematically or conceptually to their studio work.
During the Spring term, it will be refined with further research, writing and re-writes, and vetted through the student's committee members and faculty advisor.
3. An ADDENDUM or AFTERWORD
Is completed following the student’s BFA Thesis Exhibition, will accompany the Capstone research paper.
This written text will note the impact of the student’s scholarly activity on their creative work.
The Addendum will appear at the end of the Capstone paper and will be included in the Table of Contents.
Length of the paper is a minimum of two pages.
Is completed following the student’s BFA Thesis Exhibition, will accompany the Capstone research paper.
This written text will note the impact of the student’s scholarly activity on their creative work.
The Addendum will appear at the end of the Capstone paper and will be included in the Table of Contents.
Length of the paper is a minimum of two pages.
4. Seminar Project Committee Members
During the previous fall term, each student has had the advantage of organizing and working closely with a selected Thesis Committee.
The Committee members will follow the student through their yearlong project and be present at the student's Oral Defense in the Spring.
Thesis Committee members include:
1. Faculty Advisor for Senior Seminar Project & Thesis Exhibition
2. and 3. A minimum of two college members: including one faculty member from the student's program of study and an additional faculty member or staff member from the college
4. One Professional Contact individual closely related to their creative work
Similar to the fall term, each student will meet with each Committee member (independently or together) at least once for a 1:1 discussion of their on-going work and practice. The student will schedule critiques with each member well in advance and will work continually towards these goals.
Each member will help focus the student, reviewing their research paper and critique creative work at a continuous rigorous level.
Students need to take FULL advantage of the invaluable discussions by providing enough work, come to the critique with more questions than answers, additional research, preliminary sketches and ideas to spring from.
Each member will help focus the student, reviewing their research paper and critique creative work at a continuous rigorous level.
Students need to take FULL advantage of the invaluable discussions by providing enough work, come to the critique with more questions than answers, additional research, preliminary sketches and ideas to spring from.
Oral Thesis Defense
It is the formal and final presentation of each student’s undergraduate college career.
It is the venue where the student orally defends and visually presents their project and completed written research papers to their Thesis Committee members.
This is the final forum of the student’s academic work at the college and it is when the student is evaluated on both exhibition creative work and multi media oral presentation of their Capstone Research papers.
It is delivered within the context of the student's Thesis exhibition in the Art Gallery in Reisman Hall, including a digital presentation and oral defense that speaks to the student's research and the impact of their creative and scholarly work.
It is a pre-scheduled one-hour public event where each Committee Member is present, guests, peers and members of the college community. This event is open to the campus community and may be video taped.
By the completion of the Spring semester
Each student should have completed the following:
FINAL CAPSTONE RESEARCH PAPER drafted at least five times (in the Fall semester) with further edits in the Spring term.
Including:
• a completed survey and an analysis of pertinent literature and visual works in the field
• an annotated works cited bibliography of at least 8 items (may include three internet sources)
• a well-reasoned thesis (which should start as a good question)
• a detailed outline of your research paper
• FIVE earlier drafts of your research paper--20 pages or more (print and electronic versions)
• final 20 page+ research paper (MLA format) SIGNED off by CLT writing tutors
• meetings with each Thesis Committee Members
• two independent meetings with Faculty Advisor
• a signed agreement from student's committee members, noting that the member has read the students capstone in its entirety, made valuable comments and suggestions of how to improve upon it
• Two in-class informed critiques with peers
• 2 page written synopsis of each Committee member critique The synopsis is submitted one week following each meeting
• a 150 word project statement
• a professional exhibition resume
• designed and printed business card
• designed and printed postcard (or some other form) announcing the thesis exhibition
• an exhibition catalogue created by a self-published book company
• an informational multi media presentation illustrating the student’s creative work, artist statement, resume, etc.
• an ADDENDUM / AFTERWORD written stating the impact of the scholarly research on the student’s creative work 2 pages +
• rigorous and on going creative work and scholarly activity both semesters
• a professionally mounted Thesis Exhibition delivered publically to the campus community and guests
• an oral defense presentation delivered publicly defending the student's creative and research
i. Completed Capstone research paper (including Addendum)
ii. Includes Exhibition CV, Project Statement, BIO, Exhibition check list, other
iii. Includes electronic images of all works shown in the gallery
iv. Includes electronic images of installation shots, devoid of people and extraneous objects, in the gallery.
v. A link and cover image of self-published exhibition catalogue.
vi. Any other artist support materials created in the Spring semester
Evaluation
The quality of the semester is what students bring to it. It is expected that one’s participation is committed and remains active and serious.
Senior Project Seminar and Thesis Exhibition require full engagement in all facets of the semester’s preparations: research, rewrites, discussion, initiated participation, research and creative study, thoughtfulness in critical thinking and planning.
Senior Project Seminar and Thesis Exhibition require full engagement in all facets of the semester’s preparations: research, rewrites, discussion, initiated participation, research and creative study, thoughtfulness in critical thinking and planning.
Class Hours + Studio Time
The effort that each student invests in this class, in our campus and our studios, will no doubt be reflected in the work they produce
The grade a student earns will also reflect this time and effort.
Make a commitment to this class, and you will be rewarded with exciting growth in your artistic practice and evolutionary practice.
You will be held accountable to the potential I see in your own going scholarly efforts and your creative work.
Your commitment requires cooperation, hard work, dedication, creativity, motivation, and perhaps most critically being open to input and new ideas and a willingness to receive mentorship!
Students should set high standards for their own work (always)!
Intellectual understanding and exploration of the visual works, research and writing assignments and individual drive are significant factors in grading a student’s level of participation.
Hard work and improvement are recognized and therefore, will positively impact a student’s grade.
Lack of preparation, disengagement from course work, poor note taking skills, lack of work in research and process of re-writes, avoidance of assignments and general lack of participation in discussion, incomplete and not prepared work, lateness and absence, will obviously result in a lower grade.
Intellectual understanding and exploration of the visual works, research and writing assignments and individual drive are significant factors in grading a student’s level of participation.
Hard work and improvement are recognized and therefore, will positively impact a student’s grade.
Lack of preparation, disengagement from course work, poor note taking skills, lack of work in research and process of re-writes, avoidance of assignments and general lack of participation in discussion, incomplete and not prepared work, lateness and absence, will obviously result in a lower grade.
Students who are absent from a class are expected to be prepared with ALL assignments and readings due at the next class meeting.
Attendance, Participation, Professionalism
A strong showing in this category can increase your final grade by a half grade, i.e. c+ becomes b-, b becomes b+!
Adversely, a weak showing in this area can severely reduce your grade. Two or more unexcused absences in the course will result in a lowering of the final grade.
A= Outstanding performance B= Good performance C=Adequate performance
Note: The grade of “C” indicates an adequate level of overall work to gain credit for the course; a “B” means a student has achieved a more than adequate level of work. To excel, as indicated by an “A” requires a superior level of skill, concept, quantity, professionalism, risk, and a surpassing depth of SA 499 seriousness.
Moving beyond a “C” in this course will require your very best efforts in all areas of your artistic development and academic inquiry. In order to successfully pass this course you MUST earn a C or better.
Moving beyond a “C” in this course will require your very best efforts in all areas of your artistic development and academic inquiry. In order to successfully pass this course you MUST earn a C or better.
On-going creative work 60%
Continual engagement, rigor and overall creative quality
Continual engagement, rigor and overall creative quality
Engagement in all class discussions, rigorous studio activity, participation in critiques
Staying on track and organized with assignments and time management
The professor will fail any work she has not seen in progress throughout the term
The professor will fail any work she has not seen in progress throughout the term
On-going final research and edits to the student's Capstone paper, including Addendum, etc.
Evolution of all professional supportive materials 10%
Including:
Self-Published Exhibitions’ Catalogue, et al.
Post card / business card / take away design
Professional Exhibition resume
Providing necessary documents to Communication offices for media release
Project Statement
Exhibition Check List
Photography of student's work
Each having excellent follow through to completion
Including:
Self-Published Exhibitions’ Catalogue, et al.
Post card / business card / take away design
Professional Exhibition resume
Providing necessary documents to Communication offices for media release
Project Statement
Exhibition Check List
Photography of student's work
Each having excellent follow through to completion
BFA Thesis Exhibition + Oral Defense 10%
Including:
The Oral Defense preparation
Exhibition installation
Visual and quality of Oral Defense presentation
Photography of student's creative work and over-all in-situ shots of installation
De-installation, and other full outcomes completed adequately
Including:
The Oral Defense preparation
Exhibition installation
Visual and quality of Oral Defense presentation
Photography of student's creative work and over-all in-situ shots of installation
De-installation, and other full outcomes completed adequately
Undergraduate grade numerical conversions
Grades calculated in grade point average (GPAs) as follows:
A = 4.0 A- = 3.67
B+ = 3.33 B = 3.00 B- = 2.67
C+ = 2.33 C =2.00 C- = 1.67
D+ = 1.33 D = 1.00 F = 0.00
Numerical Equivalencies
A 93-100
A- 92-90
B+ 89-87
B 86-83
B- 82-80
C+ 79-77
C 76-73
C- 72-70
D+ 69-67
D 66-65
F 64 or below
Standards for Grading
A: The typical "A" student will consistently follow all of the steps in the creative process, resulting in work that is beyond the students’ previous technical, conceptual and expressive capabilities. Attend all classes and complete all assignments on time; follow all instructions, demonstrate above average skills and creativity in completing assignments, turn in consistently good work equally important, the A student will conduct research, integrate information from other classes and experiences, follow through on ideas, not opt for an easy way out, will hand in work on time and in a well presented manner, will participate fully in class, ask questions and do extra work when needed in the pursuit of knowledge and greater ability. The work produced is exemplary and sets a benchmark for other students; actively participating in class discussions and critiques with a sustained high level of curiosity. In short, the A student will be a responsible and active learner throughout, while completing stellar work.
B: The typical "B" student will attend all classes and complete all assignments on time; follow all instructions, demonstrate above average skills and creativity in completing assignments, turn in consistently good work though some further development of knowledge and skills is possible; frequently contribute to discussions and critiques and complete good work overall.
C: The typical "C" student will have less than perfect attendance; complete all assignments with average skills, attitude and creativity demonstrating limited commitment to the learning process, average use of materials, and ideas that need further development. Occasionally contribute to class discussions and critiques.
NOTE: You must acquire the final grade of C or better to pass this course.
NOTE: You must acquire the final grade of C or better to pass this course.
D: The typical "D" student will usually have poor attendance; seldom meet deadlines, have an unconcerned attitude; work below average; contribute very little to class discussions and critiques.
F: The "F" student will have poor attendance; seldom meet deadlines; turn in poor work; have a bad attitude, and/or impervious to the learning process.
Course policy
The atmosphere throughout this course is to create a community of active learners.
The course environment should be one of mutual respect; courteous with colleagues, faculty, guests and with your own work at hand. We are cultivating a relationship between you and your work, you and your critic, you and your colleagues. Your work ethic will show in your projects. Issues will emerge during the course that will prompt a general discussion required by all students.
The course environment should be one of mutual respect; courteous with colleagues, faculty, guests and with your own work at hand. We are cultivating a relationship between you and your work, you and your critic, you and your colleagues. Your work ethic will show in your projects. Issues will emerge during the course that will prompt a general discussion required by all students.
We need to realize that world experience produces difference in all people. Our differences often make communication and understanding difficult to comprehend, or even agree with, when considering the ideas of others.
We need to create a safe space where individuals can interject their ideas even if they may not be reflective of others.
Our space needs to be one where people are encouraged to ask questions, and not worry if they don’t have the ‘right’ answer, and have the space to take a wild guess by connecting earlier information together.
Our space needs to be one where people are encouraged to ask questions, and not worry if they don’t have the ‘right’ answer, and have the space to take a wild guess by connecting earlier information together.
Each of us need to remain active participants in the world of learning.
Our course together asks you to cultivate a relationship of mutual respect between each other and the work at large and your faculty. This respect, and is hoped, may extend outside the walls of this community into the world in general.
The key is to listen and be considerate of all people.
Confidentiality
Self-expression and honest reflection will take place through all of our work. It is expected that each student will recognize that s/he will be privy to personal information about others in the class and must protect their privacy of the others by exercising strict confidentiality outside of class.
When discussing class content outside of class it is recommended that all identifying descriptors be removed from statements so that the statements cannot be attributed directly to the individual who had made the statement.
Please note that failure to adhere to confidentiality is a serious offense carrying severe penalties.
Special Educational Needs
Notify the instructor if you are a student who requires accommodations in classroom studio or outside work due to special needs. Appropriate accommodations will be made in cooperation with the Office of Special Services @ 315-655-7170
Academic Honesty Policy
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any student who turns in plagiarized work will fail the course and be possibly dismissed from the college. A description of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are to be found in the on-line Student Handbook @ www.cazenovia.edu
