Fayetteville State University
College of Arts and Science
Department of Performing and Fine Arts
ART 400 Art Thesis
Fall Semester 2009
I. Locator Information:
Instructor: Ms. Soni Martin
Course # and Name: ART 400 -Art Thesis
Semester Credit Hours: 1
Day and Time Class Meets: M 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Total Contact Hours for Class: 16
Email address: smartin@uncfsu.edu
Office Location: Rosenthal 102
Office hours:
MWF: 12 – 1:00 p.m.
MW: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
TTH: 2:00- 4:00 p.m.
Class location: Rosenthal 124
Office Phone: 910-672-1057
FSU Policy on Electronic Mail: Fayetteville State University provides to each student, free of charge, an electronic
mail account (username@uncfsu.edu) that is easily accessible via the Internet. The university has established FSU email as the
primary mode of correspondence between university officials and enrolled students. Inquiries and requests from students
pertaining to academic records, grades, bills, financial aid, and other matters of a confidential nature must be submitted via FSU
email. Inquiries or requests from personal email accounts are not assured a response. The university maintains open-use
computer laboratories throughout the campus that can be used to access electronic mail.
Rules and regulations governing the use of FSU email may be found at
http://www.uncfsu.edu/PDFs/EmailPolicyFinal.pdf
II. Course Description:
This course that involves individual projects relating to an investigation of survival strategies, materials and
techniques, theory of art, methods of criticism, exhibition and presentation in the selected area of specialization.
III. Disabled Student Services: In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ACA) of 1990, if you have a disability or think you have a disability to please contact the Center for
Personal Development in the Spaulding Building, Room 155 (1st Floor); 910-672-1203.
IV. Textbook: No textbook.
V. Student Leaning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
(1) Successfully hang and manage a professional art exhibit
(2) Frame and matt works of art
(3) Apply proper hanging techniques
(4) Apply proper handling of sculpture
(5) Understand the importance of lighting
(6) Create an artist’s statement
(7) Create a personal, professional PowerPoint (influences, purpose of the work, and examples of work)
(8) Organize a Portfolio of work to pursue a job
VI. Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria:
FSU Attendance Requirements:
Students are expected to attend all class meetings and other instructional sessions for all courses in which they are enrolled.
Students are also expected to arrive to class on time and remain in class for the entire scheduled period. When students must
miss class(es) for unavoidable reasons, i.e., illness, family emergencies, or participation in official university sponsored
activities – they are responsible for informing faculty of the reasons for the absences, in advance if possible, and completing
all missed assignments. Faculty members will indicate in their syllabi the conditions for making up missed assignments.
During the first half of the semester/term, faculty will assign an interim grade of “EA,” Excessive Absences, for students
whose class absences exceed 10% of the total contact hours for the class. Students who receive EA interim grades must either
withdraw from the class or resume attendance. Students who resume attendance must consult with the instructor about
completion of missed assignments. The EA is not a final grade, so students who are assigned an interim grade of EA, but do
not withdraw from the class, will receive a final grade based on the evaluation criteria for the class. Please note that the WN
grade is no longer in effect. Students must not expect faculty to withdraw them from classes.
Excessive absences will reduce your overall grade by one or two grades (depending on the number of absences). It is
important for students to be in class regularly to work with their peers and the instructor.
Blackboard:
The use of Blackboard is integral to a student’s success in this course. All students should be on Blackboard’s class roster and
each student should make sure the email address on Blackboard is their main address they use for an electronic
communication (see instructor to post an email address different than the university student email).
Policy on Missed or Late Assignments – Student are responsible for all material missed during their absence. To pass this
exit course, students are expected to complete all the assignments in this course in the time line given to them by the
instructor. Any activity not completed by the deadline will result in a course repeat.
[Please note: Any changes in the evaluation criteria, the instructor will distribute a written amendment to
the syllabus.]
FSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior in the Classroom: The Code of the University of North Carolina (of which FSU is a
constituent institution) and the FSU Code of Student Conduct affirm that all students have the right to receive instruction
without interference from other students who disrupt classes.
FSU Core Curriculum Learning Outcome under Ethics and Civic Engagement (6.03): All students will “prepare themselves
for responsible citizenship by fulfilling roles and responsibilities associated with membership in various organizations.” Each
classroom is a mini-community. Students learn and demonstrate responsible citizenship by abiding by the rules of classroom
behavior and respecting the rights all members of the class.
The FSU Policy on Disruptive Behavior (see FSU website for complete policy) identifies the following behaviors as
disruptive:
1.
Failure to respect the rights of other students to express their viewpoints by behaviors such as repeatedly interrupting
others while they speak, using profanity and/or disrespectful names or labels for others, ridiculing others for their
viewpoints, and other similar behaviors.
2.
Excessive talking to other students while the faculty member or other students are presenting information or expressing
their viewpoints
3.
Use of cell phones and other electronic devices (headphones not permitted)
4.
Bringing children into the classroom (without prior approval)
5.
Overt inattentiveness (sleeping, reading newspapers, etc.)
6.
Eating in class (except as permitted by instructor)
7.
Threats or statements that jeopardize the climate of safety in the classroom
8.
Failure to follow reasonable requests by the instructor
9.
Entering class late or leaving class early on regular basis which causes a distraction
The instructor may take the following actions in response to disruptive behavior. Students should recognize that refusing to
comply with reasonable requests from the faculty member is another incidence of disruptive behavior.
1.
Direct student to cease disruptive behavior
2.
Direct student to change seating locations when necessary
3.
Require student to have individual conference with faculty member. At this meeting the faculty member will explain
consequences of continued disruptive behavior.
4.
Dismiss class for the remainder of the period (this action must be reported to the department chair).
5.
Lower the student’s final grade by a maximum of one-letter grade.
6.
File a complaint with the Chair of the department and/or Dean of Students for disciplinary action
Students who believe the faculty member has unfairly applied the policy to them may make an appeal with the faculty
member’s department chair.
Specific ART 400 Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria:
Grading (See grading rubric for each):
50%
25%
10%
10%
5%
Exhibition Installation/Opening [80% of the work in the senior thesis exhibit must be from the students’
area of concentration and 80% of the work must have been created while
a student at Fayetteville State University)
PowerPoint Presentation to FSU faculty/FSU students/general public
Artist’s Statement
Quality of Matting and Framing for Exhibition
Attend 2 gallery openings prior to senior exhibition (FSU gallery opening, and/or opening in the
community)
Exhibition Installation/Opening Evaluation Rubric/Grading Scale (50% of Grade)
Points:
5
4
3
2
1
Exhibition
Participated in the
scheduled hanging of
the exhibit, attended
the opening and other
exhibit related
activities
Opening:
Participated to create a
successful opening; to
include set up and clean
up after the opening
Cooperative Team Effort:
Maintained
a
positive
attitude and was collegial
during the planning of and
during the opening; was a
helpful team player on their
respective committee,
completed all assignments
on their committee
Total Points
A= 15-14 points
B= 13-12 points
C=11-10 points
D= 9-8 points
F= 7 points or
less
Grade
Point
Average
Comments
PowerPoint Presentation Evaluation Rubric/Grading Scale (25% of Grade):
Points:
5
4
3
2
1
Point
Average
Comments
Technical/Verbal:
(a) Met the time limit,
grammar and
punctuation were
correct, images
were clear and
photographed in a
professional manner,
all requested
information was
included
(b) Student used public
speaking principles
Aesthetics:
Slides transitioned,
design was attractive and
met the aesthetic
guidelines which were
given by the instructor,
words were the right font
size and limited to
guidelines
Concept:
PowerPoint included
two early images,
influences on the student’s
work, an artist’s statement,
and mature work (size, title,
medium) with references to
material and purpose
Total Points
A= 15-14 points
B= 13-12 points
C=11-10 points
D= 9-8 points
F= 7 points or
less
Grade
Artist’s Statement Evaluation Rubric and Grading Scale (25% of Grade):
Points:
5
4
3
2
1
Technical:
Punctuation
and
grammar is
correct, spelling and
capitalization is correct,
proper format used as
instructed by
professor
*Student had one art
Professor review his
artist’s statement for
clarity
Form:
follows the guidelines of
the problem, exploitation
of techniques
Concept:
ideas are clearly explained
and relevant
Total Points
A= 15-14 points
B= 13-12 points
C=11-10 points
D= 9-8 points
F= 7 points or
less
Grade
Point
Average
Comments
Quality of Matting and Framing for Exhibition Evaluation Rubric and Grading Scale (10%) of Grade:
Points:
5
4
3
2
1
Material:
All material
appropriate to the
work, frames and
matts well crafted,
Matts, framing and
work is clean and
professional
in
appearance
Form:
Matts and framing are
appropriate border
widths, glass or Plexiglas
used when appropriate,
computer graphics
mounted properly
Concept:
Work presented in a manner
that reflects consistency with
the artists’ content and
material that was used
Total Points
A= 15-14 points
B= 13-12 points
C=11-10 points
D= 9-8 points
F= 7 points or less
Grade
Point
Average
Comments
Gallery Opening Evaluation Rubric and Grading Scale (5%) of Grade:
Opening One (50 points)
Note date, title of exhibit, and strengths or weakness
of the hanging of the exhibit (layout, framing, lighting,
etc.)
Student Comments:
Opening Two (50 points):
Note date, title of exhibit, and strengths or weakness
of the hanging of the exhibit (layout, framing, lighting,
etc.)
Student Comments:
(no entry
equals “0”
averaged
into your
grade)
Gallery
Opening
Grade for
Semester:
VII. Academic Support Resources:
Students will need to see instructor outside of class to assist with any problems understanding the content of this
course.
VIII. Course Outline and Assignment Schedule: (Assignment dates are subject to change)
Week One:
Aug. 21
No meeting
Week Two:
Aug. 24
Establish the exhibition dates
Establish date for faculty to first review of present work
Establish dates for final review of work before exhibit
Week Three:
Aug.31
Establish the exhibition committees
Deadline for invitations for proofing and printing
Establish dates for gallery PowerPoint presentations
Week Four:
Sept. 7
Labor Day Holiday
Week Five:
Sept. 14
Framing and matting demonstration
How to write an artist’s statement
Week Six:
Sept. 21
Framing and matting demonstration
Selling and Pricing of Artwork
Week Seven:
Sept. 28
How to make a successful PowerPoint
Week Eight:
Oct. 5
Oct. 8: Midterms exams begin
Discussion from selected readings
Week Nine
Oct. 12
Oct. 15 -16: Midterm Break
Discussion from selected readings
Week Ten:
Oct. 19
Discussion from selected readings
Week Eleven: Oct. 26
Discussion from selected readings
Week Twelve: Nov. 2-6
Discussion from selected readings
Week Thirteen: Nov. 9
Nov. 11: Veteran’s Day Holiday
Discussion from selected readings
Week Fourteen: Nov. 16
Discussion from selected readings
Week Fifteen: Nov. 23
Nov. 26-27: Thanksgiving Holiday
Open
Week Sixteen: Nov. 30
Nov. 30: Finals Begin for seniors
Open
Dec. 4: Last Day of Classes
Dec. 5: Final Exams Begin
IX. Teaching Strategies:
Teaching strategies include lectures, hands-on demonstrations, demonstrational technology, and gallery visitation.
X. Bibliography:
Crawford, Tad. Legal Guide for Visual Artists, 4th edition. New York: Allworth Press, 2001.
Grant, Daniel. The Business of Being an Artist, 3rd edition. New York: Allworth Press, 2000.
Grant, Daniel, Selling Art without Galleries, New York: Allworth Press, 2006.
Helguera, Pablo. Manual of Contemporary Art Style: The Essential Guide for Artists, Curators and
Critics. New York: Jorge Pinto Books, 2007.
London, Peter. No More Secondhand Art: Awakening the Artist Within. Boston: Shambhala Pub., 1989.