Dr. Anne Fletcher, 226 Johnson, ext. 4852. Office Hours: TR: 11:00 - 12:30
Dr. Seymour Simmons, 244 McLaurin, ext. 2126. Office Hours: MT: 1:30 - 3:00
ARTS Appreciation will explore, through hands-on experience and participation, two art forms: visual arts and theatre. In addition to studying each art form individually, the class will also examine the interrelationships between the two arts, as well as their roles in human life. Activities will include:
Class Times and Locations
MW 3:30 - 4:45: Class meeting places are listed in bold on the syllabus. They will vary to include full class meetings in Johnson 205 or as noted as well as Section as follows:
Requirements
Grading
In lieu of finals or other examinations, grading in this course depends largely on completion of the mid-term and final project/presentations and on regular journal entries. These will include "Journal Assignments" as listed in the Calendar. Students are also expected to write summaries of and responses to all required readings in their journals. They should also contribute regular reflections on class assignments, activities, etc.
Text
Readings for the first half of the term will be on reserve at Dacus Library. Readings for the second half of the term include two play scripts: A DREAM PLAY and DEATH OF A SALESMAN. These may be purchased at the Bookworm later in the term.
August 27, Wednesday. Sections
September 1, Monday. 205
September 3, Wednesday. Sections
September 8, Monday. 205
Art as visual communication. Historical overview.
HW Reading: Reading on art elements and principles
September 10, Wednesday. Sections
Visual communication activity: applying the language of art.
HW Reading: Read article on reserve: "How to Look at a Mountain." Summarize in journal.
September 15, Monday. Gallery
Art as healing. Robert Coles Exhibit, children's symbolic representations. Journals Due. HW Journal Assignment: write about childhood or present feelings, draw picture. To be done on separate paper and added to journals later if necessary.
September 17, Wednesday. Sections
Expression activity; share images and feelings from journal. HW Journal Assignment: Analyze television commercial for visual, verbal, musical elements. Explain how the commercial sells the product.
September 22, Monday. 205
Arts as manipulation; Bill Moyers video: "The Public Mind." HW Journal Assignment: Add any additional remarks to your analysis of the commercial based on the video.
September 24, Wednesday. Sections
Graphic design, advertising activity. HW Reading: Dissanayake article: "The Pleasure and Meaning of Making." Summarize in journal. Journal Assignment: Identify a problem in society, at home, etc. Explain in detail.
September 29, Monday. 205
Slide lecture: Design in nature and human culture. The "design process" introduced. HW: Begin to design a solution to the problem you identified earlier or another that you have found using "the design process." Document in journal by visual imagery and words.
October 1, Wednesday. Sections
Work on design problem solution and presentation. HW Journal Assignment: Write reflection on design process, evolution of ideas, group interaction, problems, etc.
October 6, Monday. Sections
Present design problem and solution in class for feedback. HW Reading: "Personal/Social Functions of Art." Summarize in journal. Journal Assignment: Record feedback and your response to it. Was it helpful? destructive? Explain.
October 8, Wednesday. 205
Themes in Art: natural, social, spiritual worlds. HW: Complete final design project for Friday deadline.
October 10, Friday. Final Design Project and Journals Due
THRT 298: material goes to Dr. Fletcher's office, 226 Johnson
ARTT 298: material goes to Dr. Simmons' mailbox, 140 McLaurin
October 15, Wednesday. 205
Expression to Expressionism in Art and Theatre; slide show. HW Journal Assignment: Define "expression" and "expressionism" in your own words. Find and describe an example of expressionism in art, theatre, video, film, writing, etc.
October 20, Monday. 205
Expressionism slide show continued; Intro. to A DREAM PLAY. HW Reading: Start reading A DREAM PLAY, using study guide. (Complete by Oct. 29).
October 22, Wednesday. Sections
Art/writing activity. HW Journal Assignment: Reflect on the process and problems in the experience of art/writing.
A DREAM PLAY opens October 27 and runs through October 31; 8:00 p.m., Studio Theatre, Johnson. Attendance is required. To make reservations, call the Winthrop Theatre Box Office ext. 4014. Cost: $2.50, Cultural Event. To usher (and attend for free): sign up on the Box Office door the week before production.
October 27, Monday. 205
Lecture on A DREAM PLAY. Journals Due.
October 29, Wednesday. No Class.
Attend evening lecture: A DREAM PLAY. 7:15 p.m., Studio Theater Have A DREAM PLAY read prior to lecture. HW Journal Assignment: Critque A DREAM PLAY in terms of individual art and theatre elements, collaborative elements (arts integration), feelings, and expressionism.
October 29, Wednesday.
Evert Sprinchorn's lecture on A DREAM PLAY; Studio Theatre, Johnson 7:15 p.m. Attendance is required; Lecture is free (See above for production.) Another Cultural Event credit! No class that day in substitution for lecture.
November 3, Monday. 205
Roles in the theatre: guest from A DREAM PLAY production team. Discuss roles of playwright, director, designers, actors, etc. (hand-outs of job descriptions and terminology).
November 5, Wednesday. Studio Theatre
Directing and acting exercises. HW Journal Assignment: Analyze a character from DEATH OF A SALESMAN following guidelines given in class.
November 10, Monday. 205
Lecture: DEATH OF A SALESMAN; Roles of director/designers cont.; Theatre as a collaborating art; DEATH OF A SALESMAN as expressionism, elements to look for in reading. HW Reading: Read DEATH OF A SALESMAN for next class.
November 12, Wednesday. Sections
Discuss DEATH OF A SALESMAN; theatrical design exercises (ground plans and concepts--making them work together). HW: Do a ground plan for DEATH OF A SALESMAN.
November 17, Monday. Sections
Group production team exercises related to DEATH OF A SALESMAN. HW: Work with members of your group on group production.
November 19, Wednesday. Sections
Show and tell: group production teams. HW Journal Assignment: Critique one group presentation in terms of unity of production.
November 24, Monday. 205
Discussion of final group project. Form groups, plan project. HW for remainder of term: Continue outside planning and development of group projects. Keep notes in journals.
November 26, Wednesday. Sections
Work on group projects.
December 1, Monday. Sections
Work on group projects.
December 3, Wednesday: Sections
Work on group projects.
December 8, Monday: Sections
Rehearse group projects in class for critique.
Final Exam Date:
Presentations of final group projects, Journals Due.
DESIGN PROBLEM ASSIGNMENT
Overview: For the midterm project in Arts Appreciation, students must demonstrate creative problem-solving and critical thinking applied to a 'design' problem and yielding a solution. They must also present and 'sell' their solution to members of class in a short presentation.
Process: The process of finding, thinking through, and resolving the problem must be carefully documented in the journal. Documentation should include both images (drawings, diagrams, or schematics) and written words. While each student must address an individual problem, he or she must also receive, apply, and record feedback at several stages from faculty and peers. This feedback will come during class brainstorming sessions, and through teacher comments. Students may also receive feedback outside of class, but in no way can they allow another person to do the actual work on the project. As a record, students must record feedback they get and their response to the feedback, pro or con, in journals.
Presentation: Students will present their ideas to other members of the class and receive feedback. The presentation must include a verbal and a visual part. You must create something to show your solution through words and images. Students must make a poster, diagram, illustration, etc. to illustrate their problem and solution. This must include words and images. Students must also talk about their idea with other students sand register and record their feedback in the journal.
Product: Students must bring in a visual depiction or diagrammatic image of the project and a written explanation to present to their peers on Wednesday, October 8. They may, if they choose, continue to develop and refine the product after Wednesday based on feedback from their peers. The final product (presentation board and write up) will be turned in on Friday, October 10, by 5:00 pm.
Evaluation: In this assignment, process, product, and presentation are given equal importance. Evaluation of this assignment will therefore focus on the following criteria:
Timeline
September 30: Share "Problems in Society." Brainstorm possible solutions. HW: Write in journal at least five possible issues to be addressed by "design."
October 1: Brainstorming exercise: Get feedback on your idea and record this in your group. HW: Complete questionnaire about problem solving, including the nature of the problem, who it is important for and why.
October 6: Work on presentation piece in class with feedback from peers and teacher. HW: Continue working on presentation.
October 8: Present to class for feedback
Due Friday, October 10, 5:00 pm Turn in Process will be documented in the journal which, along with the final 'design product/presentation,' will be turned in at the midterm for evaluation.
Arts Appreciation
Guidelines for Design Process
Refer to the Odyssey of the Mind hand-outs "CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING" and "SPONTANEOUS PROBLEMS".
Complete this form on the design process and submit to your instructor by Friday, October 3. The form should help guide you through the design process. It is not intended to be used instead of your journal entries which should be much fuller and more fluid. It is to assist you in the early stages of the process.
Remember: You will present (in trial format) in class ion Wednesday, October 8. Keep documenting your process in your journal. Keep track of the steps you are following, questions you are asking, etc. Make sketches. The final product (a visual representation of some sort) and a brief written explanation is due October 10, as is your journal.
E. Outline a possible solution to the problem. List strengths and weaknesses of this solution.