College of San Mateo
Official Course Outline
1. COURSE ID: ART 200
TITLE: Fine Art Portfolio Preparation
Units: 3.0 units Hours/Semester: 32.0-36.0 Lecture hours; 48.0-54.0 Lab hours; and 16.0-18.0 TBA hours
Method of Grading: Letter Grade Only
Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 838 or ENGL 848.
2. COURSE DESIGNATION:
Degree Credit
Transfer credit: CSU
AA/AS Degree Requirements:
CSM - GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: E2c.Communication and Analytical Thinking
CSM - GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: E5d. Career Exploration and Self-Development
3. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Catalog Description:
This course is designed for all art majors and aspiring artists. Students will learn how to create an artist
portfolio for transfer or gallery submission. Course work includes the identification and development of
personal style, a cohesive body of work, an artist statement and resume, oral presentation and quality
image representation. Students should have a working familiarity with their chosen medium. A materials
fee in the amount shown in the Schedule of Classes is payable upon registration.
4. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME(S) (SLO'S):
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will meet the following outcomes:
1. Use various methods to break through creative blocks and stimulate creative problem solving.
2. Trace their own art work and ideas to art historical theories and artists.
3. Lead a discussion and critique in small groups.
4. Identify and develop personal artistic style and aesthetic.
5. Define, articulate and create a series of art related to one theme, culminating in a cohesive body of work.
6. Plan and acquire quality image representation of their work, resulting in an artist portfolio ready for
presentation to the public.
7. Define and express one's experience in the arts, artistic goals and current work orally and in writing; as oral
presentation, artist statement and resume.
5. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, a student will be able to:
1. Identify and discuss their own personal style and aesthetic in art making.
2. Recognize and develop some common themes in their art which will allow them to create a cohesive body
of work.
3. Research and assimilate past and current artistic trends and developments.
4. Lead critiques of their own artwork and that of other students and artists.
5. Create and present their art work and ideas verbally, in front of an audience.
6. Write an artist statement, bio and CV.
7. Research and assemble a list of appropriate transfer institutions and/or exhibition opportunities for their
work.
8. Compile and create a professional portfolio consisting of quality images, artist statement, bio, CV and
goals.
6. COURSE CONTENT:
Lecture Content:
Students will be introduced to the creative process by interactive and experiential tasks which require a
high degree of risk-taking, self-disclosure, willingness to be innovative and authentic, thereby increasing
confidence, self-esteem, and autonomy. Students will also be working toward a finished body of work,
and the professional presentation of this work through verbal and written means. Course lecture content
will include:
1. Group critique from a variety of perspectives including formal, conceptual, historical, feminist, Marxist,
and deconstructionist analysis, as well as addressing issues of message, meaning, mood, and style.
Discussion will also address technical issues, installation, and presentation.
Discussion will also address technical issues, installation, and presentation.
2. The creative process including generating ideas and methods to achieve unique responses, invention, and
solutions to unique tasks; breaking through creative blocks; discipline; the use of parameters or restrictions
to stimulate creativity; identifying one’s weaknesses and routine in terms of technique and ideas and
creating exercises to strengthen these areas.
3. Production of a cohesive body of work.
4. Writing an artist’s statement, assembling a portfolio, and other materials for an artist’s presentation packet.
5. The historical development of other artists’ styles and creative process through the reading and discussion
of artist’s essays, letters, and autobiographies.
Lab Content:
Discussion of writings by artists, reviews of art, and theories pertaining to the creative process based upon
the instructor's lectures and course facilitation.
Participation in small group critique and discussions.
Applied exercises and experimental participation in learning techniques associated with the creative
process and portfolio preparation.
Digital image presentations and videos.
Field trips
Ongoing internet discussion and research.
Write an artist’s statement, CV, and Bio.
Compile a list of potential transfer schools/venues for the student’s work.
Complete and refine in-progress art work considering feedback and discussion.
Research and present information on local artists and exhibitions.
Participate in an ongoing conversation regarding the creative process online.
TBA Hours Content:
The student may typically fulfill the required "Hours by Arrangement" with the following suggested
activities to take place in the art studios at CSM:
1. Directed projects to develop specific types of images, subjects, compositional techniques, or other artistic
objectives.
2. Directed technical exercises to improve chosen media skills, techniques and use of materials.
3. Critique and evaluation of assignments and exercises.
4. Collaborative projects with other students to investigate artistic endeavors using their chosen media.
5. Any other projects approved by the instructor.
7. REPRESENTATIVE METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Typical methods of instruction may include:
A. Lecture
B. Lab
C. Directed Study
D. Activity
E. Critique
F. Discussion
G. Experiments
H. Field Experience
I. Field Trips
J. Guest Speakers
K. Individualized Instruction
L. Observation and Demonstration
M. Other (Specify): Writing artist statement
8. REPRESENTATIVE ASSIGNMENTS
Representative assignments in this course may include, but are not limited to the following:
Writing Assignments:
A. Personal journal documenting their own creative process and reactions to exercises in class and group
critiques.
B. Write an artist statement, bio and CV.
Reading Assignments:
Students will read the required textbooks, instructor handouts and PowerPoints.
To be Arranged Assignments:
The student may typically fulfill the required "Hours by Arrangement" with the following suggested
activities to take place in the art studios at CSM:
A. Directed projects to develop specific types of images, subjects, compositional techniques, or other artistic
objectives.
B. Directed technical exercises to improve chosen media skills, techniques and use of materials.
C. Critique and evaluation of assignments and exercises.
D. Collaborative projects with other students to investigate artistic endeavors using their chosen media.
E. Any other projects approved by the instructor.
9. REPRESENTATIVE METHODS OF EVALUATION
Representative methods of evaluation may include:
A. Class Participation
B. Class Performance
C. Class Work
D. Exams/Tests
E. Field Trips
F. Final Class Performance
G. Final Performance
H. Group Projects
I. Homework
J. Lab Activities
K. Oral Presentation
L. Papers
M. Portfolios
N. Projects
O. Quizzes
P. Research Projects
10. REPRESENTATIVE TEXT(S):
Possible textbooks include:
A. Bhandari, F.D., Melber, J. . ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art
Career, 1st ed. New York City: Free Press, 2009
B. Stanfield, A.B.. I'd Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion, 2nd ed.
Golden: Pentas Press, 2011
Origination Date: February 2015
Curriculum Committee Approval Date: March 2015
Effective Term: Fall 2015
Course Originator: Rebecca Alex