St. Gregory's University

Fall Semester, 2001

        AR 1013-1 Visual Literacy

Instructor: Stephen Mauldin

E-mail: slmauldin@sgc.edu

 

 

Course Description: (from SGU Fall 2001 Class Schedule) An introduction to the grammar of visual expression.  Major components include: elements and principles of two-dimensional design, the creative process, and basic drawing skills in various black and white media.  This course enables students who have already begun to work at creative visual expression to refine their skills of seeing and of understanding what they see, and their skills of interpreting and criticizing works of creative visual expression.

 

 

Mission Statement: This course contributes to the university’s goal of inculcating in students an appreciation for the arts and inspiring a lifelong quest for learning and personal development.  Visual Literacy will fulfill the fine art requirement in all the university’s degree programs.

 

 

Instructor’s Statement: I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with honors, from Oklahoma City University (with a major in Art) and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Idaho (with a concentration in painting and printmaking).  I have also been an actively producing painter for twenty-six years and my work has been shown in museums and galleries from coast to coast.  My office is located inside room FA 215 and my office hours are:

·        10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Mondays & Wednesdays

·        11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays

·        10:00 a.m. - ? p.m. Fridays in my studio (in the metal building east of the convent behind the cafeteria.)

 

 

Course Objectives: Visual Literacy will introduce students to the language visual expression; the elements and principles of design.  By the end of the semester the student will be able to:

·        Appreciate and discuss visual images with more insight;

·        Employ the creative process more effectively;

·        Create more sophisticated and complex visual images;

·        Analyze, assess, and criticize art more intelligently.

 

 

Textbook: Zelanski, Paul; Fisher, Mary Pat. Design Principles and Problems. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcourt Brace, 1996.  ISBN 0-15-501615-6

 

 

Supplies: Supply packets can be purchased at the university bookstore.

 

 

 

Course Requirements:

·        Attend class and do all in-class work

·        Participate in critiques

·        Work in your sketchbook regularly

·        Do assigned workbook projects

·        Do assigned out of class projects

·        Take Final Exam

 

 

Instructor Policies:  Class attendance is mandatory.  After three absences, the

student may be dropped from the course.  If possible, notify instructor in advance

of circumstances that will require your absence and accommodations may be called for.  Work turned in late will lose one letter grade for each class period overdue. 

In-class projects cannot be made up.

 

 

Grading Criteria:

 

 

·        Sketchbook

25% of final grade

 

 

·        In-class & out-of-class projects

50% of final grade

 

 

·        Final exam

25% of final grade

 

 

 

 

 

Project Criteria:

 

          Execution (Craft)…………

4pts.

          Perception of problem……

4pts.

          Originality of ideas………..

4pts.

 

 

Grading Scales:

 

 

 

For Projects:                            For Exams:

 

·        A

 =

12pts.

·        A

=

90-100

 

·        A-

 =

11pts.

·        B

=

80-89

 

·        B+

 =

10pts.

·        C

=

70-79

 

·        B

 =

9pts.

·        D

=

69-70

 

·        B- 

 =

8pts.

 

 

 

 

·        C+

 =

7pts.

 

 

 

 

·        C

 =

6pts.

 

 

 

 

·        C- 

 =

5pts.

 

 

 

 

·        D+

 =

4pts.

 

 

 

 

·        D

 =

3pts.

 

 

 

 

·        D- 

 =

2pts.

 

 

 

 

·        F

 =

1pt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outline:

 

 

Note: Reading for each date should be done before coming to class (For example, you should arrive in class August 22nd having already read pages

1 – 5.)

 

   Date

                        Topic

  Reading

Aug. 22

Materials/Introduction to class & design

pp. 1 - 5

Aug. 27

Elements of design/Creative process

pp. 6 - 31

Aug. 29

In class project/Critique work

 

Sept. 5

Principles of design/Creative process

pp. 33 - 53

Sept. 10

Line/Problems using line

pp. 55 - 70 

Sept. 12

Studio work

 

Sept. 17

Critique work/New problems using line

 

Sept. 19

Studio work

 

Sept. 24

Critique work/Shape, Form/Problems

pp. 85 - 109

Sept. 26

Studio work

 

Oct. 1

Critique work/New problem using shape

 

Oct. 3

Studio work

 

Oct. 8

Critique work/New problem using form

 

Oct. 10

Studio work

 

Oct. 15

Critique work/Space/New problems

pp. 121-139

Oct. 17

Studio work

 

Oct. 22

Critique work/New problems using space

 

Oct. 24

Studio work

 

Oct. 29

Critique work/New problem using space

 

Oct. 31

Studio work

 

Nov. 5

Critique work/Texture/New problems

pp. 149-172

Nov. 7

Studio work

 

Nov. 12

Critique work/New problem using texture

 

Nov. 14

Studio work

 

Nov. 19

Critique work/Value/New problems

pp. 187-212

Nov. 26

Studio work

 

Nov. 28

Critique work/New problem using value

 

Dec. 3

Studio work

 

Dec. 5

Critique work/Review for Final Exam

 

Dec.10-13

FINAL EXAMS

 

 

Any student with a disability that will affect his/her progress in this class and registered with student services should inform the professor during or after

the first class meeting.