Student Performance

ARTS 2324 Life Drawing II

Basic study of the human form

Exemplary Educational Objectives                                                   ACGM pg 234

1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.
3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
4. To engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.
5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.
7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.

Specific Course Outcomes:

Students will

• Develop understanding of the human form
• Draw the human figure accurately displaying normative proportional relationships of the body’s parts to the whole
• Depict the figure in a variety of poses using foreshortening (linear perspective)
• Convey gesture, the illusion of expressive movement, when drawing the figure spontaneously in very brief periods of time
• Work with a variety of drawing tools
• Develop their skills of observation.
• Draw the figure so that the illusion of volume is achieved through a variety of shading techniques
• Simplify, exaggerate, or distort visual elements and normative proportions to interpret expressive qualities of the figure
• Evoke mood through the expressive use of drawing materials
• Utilize techniques emphasizing accurate, expressive, and conceptual approaches
• Understand and utilize appropriate art terminology
• Participate meaningfully in critique
• Cultivate self-reflection about one’s work
• Write an artist statement and discuss their work in a formal setting
• Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
• Maintain a professional and respectful attitude  
• Maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

BEHAVIOR:The key word regarding class behavior is RESPECT. Every person in the room deserves and will receive the respect of others. Disruptions and/or any behavior that the instructor considers inappropriate will not be tolerated and will result in dismissal from the class. Every student is expected to be involved and engaged with other students and the instructor. For this reason, NO HEADPHONES OR PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE ALLOWED. 

POLICY CONCERNING MODELS:

• Cameras and cell phones: No cameras are allowed in the classroom during life drawing sessions. Since many cell phones include cameras, you may not have your cell phone out at any time. If you must take a call, please do so during break time.
• While the model is posing, you should not open or close the classroom door. THIS MEANS BEING ON TIME FOR CLASS.
• Never touch the model.
• Inappropriate behavior will result in dismissal from the course for the semester.

Grading Criteria

GRADING POLICY:

Student grades will be based on four grades, weighted as follows:

• Midterm portfolio review (40%)
  1. Your typewritten response to midterm questionnaire: 20%
  2. Formal and conceptual quality, exploration and experimentation: 80%
• Final CD portfolio with artist statement (40%)
  1. Your artist statement, as well as responses to specific questions: 20%
  2. Formal and conceptual quality, exploration and experimentation, as well as growth over the course of the semester: 80%
• Sketchbook, homework, research, quizzes or other assignments (20%)
• Participation in class, critique and work ethic always have an impact on your grade

LATE and MAKE-UP WORK: Because in-class work is almost always a response to a specific prompt and model, it cannot be “made up”. This is the reason for the absence policy.

TARDINESS should be avoided. We are working with an undraped model, and late arrival is disruptive. After the class begins, the door will be locked.

GRADING SCALE:

Because art is more subjective than many other fields, it is important to understand some of the broad areas of assessment in this class. Portfolios will be evaluated using a four-point scale, which corresponds to letter grades. Four major areas will be assessed. (I will also utilize +/- (or .5 points)

Technique/Use of materials/Composition

• A/4: Exceptional technique/use of materials/composition
• B/3: Effective technique/use of materials/composition
• C/2: Acceptable technique/use of materials/composition
• D/1: Poor technique/use of materials/composition

Concepts/Ideas/Exploration

• A/4: Ideas are highly inventive, innovative and effective
• B/3: Interesting ideas and concepts
• C/2: Ideas are standard but acceptable
• D/1: Ideas are stereotypical with little effort at discovering or expressing personal visual language

Work ethic/ Presentation/Craft (including presentation in portfolio)

• A/4: Exceptional work ethic and professional presentation
• B/3: Energetic working method and effective presentation
• C/2: Minimal energy applied to work, lackluster presentation
• D/1: Lack of enthusiasm, careless presentation

As part of the portfolio reviews, I will also look at your writing:

Reflection/Observation/Writing

• A/4: High level of insight and quality of writing
• B/3: Good level of insight and quality of writing
• C/2: Acceptable level of insight and quality of writing
• D/1: Low level of insight and quality of writing

• This system corresponds to that of the GPA:
• A = EXCELLENT
• B = GOOD
• C = AVERAGE or ADEQUATE 
• D = POOR
• F = FAIL

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is CRITICAL to your success in this course.Please note that Amarillo College allows only 2 absences for any reason, with the consequences of missing additional classes to be determined at the discretion of the instructor. Therefore:

• STUDENTS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE for signing their own name on the attendance sheet in class.  (The instructor is not responsible for students’ failure to sign the class attendance sheet!)
• FAILURE TO SIGN THE ATTENDANCE SHEET RESULTS IN AN ABSENCE. NO EXCEPTIONS
• I will allow 5 absences without penalty. The 6th absence will lower your final grade by one letter. Each subsequent absence will result in an additional letter grade deduction.
• Students are responsible for keeping up with their own absence totals. Upon request, and outside of class time, students may inquire as to the number of absences they have.
• Late arrivals and early departures may be counted as absences. (2 tardies or early departures = 1 absence)
• If you have extenuating circumstances that impact your ability to attend class, please contact me ASAP.

In addition to the requirement to be in class for demonstration, lecture and work time, your presence is a source of insight and learning for all class members. The impact of your full participation cannot be overestimated. 

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