Art 1A Visual Literacy Syllabus
Instructor: Helen Taschian, Ph.D.
Quarter: Spring 2024
Lecture Days/Times: M/W 12:30-1:45 in Chem 1171
Course Website: http://art1avisualliteracy.blogspot.com
Office Hours: By appointment
Course Objectives: This general education course,
which is a requirement for all Art majors and minors, provides a foundation for a broad
experience and understanding of the visual arts – film, art, television,
digital media, advertising, and related media issues. Through a series of
interdisciplinary readings and lectures we will explore the “language of” and
the “language about” contemporary and historical visual culture. Our primary
task involves looking at art and film/TV, but to accomplish this we must engage
a set of related cultural issues that have to do with who we are and how we
process our world. The concern of this course is not focused on what you think,
but on the visual and cultural processes that help influence and shape your
thinking. The class is structured to increase your visual comprehension,
critical thinking skills and cultural awareness.
In pursuit of this goal, it is important for us to consider how the forms, meanings and styles of the visual arts are shaped by:
In pursuit of this goal, it is important for us to consider how the forms, meanings and styles of the visual arts are shaped by:
-Ways of seeing and the formal language for expressing
visual experience.
-The vocabulary of visual communication: line, shape, color,
direction, tone, scale, texture, etc.
-The shaping influence of technological, social, political
and cultural contexts.
-Personal accomplishments, insights, passions and
commitments of individual artists and filmmakers.
-Theoretical assumptions and deeply held beliefs and
orthodoxies about art, society and life.
Course Format: Each week the lectures will address a
new topic, to which the course reading is directly related. Visual materials consisting
primarily of digital slides, film and video will support lectures. Also
required is a weekly discussion section that is conducted by a Teaching
Assistant. It is here that you will explore and flesh out the many topics from
the lectures and readings.
Requirements:
1. One formal research paper and 9 weekly writing assignments throughout the quarter. Specific
information about assignments will be discussed in sections. and are posted on the course website. You are expected to utilize the insights and
perspectives gained from readings, assignments and discussions in expanding and
extrapolating what is possible to gain from looking at works of art, film, or
other visual constructions.
2. Attendance is mandatory. 5 or more unexcused absences will result in failing the course.
2. Attendance is mandatory. 5 or more unexcused absences will result in failing the course.
Reading:
- John Berger, Ways of Seeing (Campus Bookstore and Amazon).
- Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Free copy given to you after you sign all 3 museum field trip liability waivers.
- Course Reader (Available from Associated Students) Copy on reserve at the library.
- Sylvan Barnet, A Short Guide to Writing About Art
(optional) Available at Davidson Library HERE and Amazon HERE.
Important Dates:
- First lecture, on Monday, April 1: Via Zoom (link HERE).
- Every Thursday by 12:30PM PT: Weekly writing assignments due (unless otherwise stated in the calendar section HERE. Museum response papers are due on Sundays by 11:30PM).
- Monday & Wednesday, April 15 & 17: No on-campus lectures since we will be at LACMA all day on Saturday, April 20. Sections scheduled.
- *Saturday, April 20: LACMA Field Trip.
- Monday, April 22: Mechanics of a Formal Research Paper Workshop (in lecture).
- Wednesday, April 24: Scholarly Research Training Workshop with Heather Nisen (in lecture)
- Thursday, May 9: Research paper due by 11:30PM PT.
- Monday & Wednesday, May 13 & 15: On campus lecture cancelled in lieu of the Getty Center field trip on Saturday, May 18. Sections scheduled.
- *Saturday, May 18: Getty Center field trip.
- Monday, May 27: Memorial Day Holiday.
*Students are responsible for their own transportation to the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara museums. Neither UCSB, nor the UCSB Department of Art will furnish transportation, or organize it. However, students tend to organize their own carpools each quarter.
9 Weekly Writing Assignments: Due each Thursday by 12:30PM PT (unless otherwise stated). Upload your assignments to Canvas. The assignments are listed HERE.
*Nota Bene: Museum trips are all-day immersive experiences, and therefore the museum field trip is in lieu of both of the Art 1A lectures that week (section attendance is as scheduled that week). If you do not go to the museum that week, or do the writing assignment, then you will receive two absences that week. Take a selfie at the museum, and include it in your paper as proof of attendance.
Regarding This Course: This is a labor-intensive 5 unit class. Please complete the weekly reading materials before the lecture for which they are
assigned. The course involves cumulative learning, and each week's subject
matter generally assumes familiarity with previously discussed materials.
Keeping up with the reading is, therefore, of high priority; you will be
expected in your papers to quote or paraphrase from readings, as well as
demonstrate a familiarity with the concepts expressed in them.
This course satisfies a University Writing Requirement--which
means that you are being held to a very high standard. In order to pass this
class you must write proficiently at the university level. For those of you who
will require more help preparing and writing papers- be aware that there are
resources available to help you on campus. Campus Learning Assistance Services
(CLAS) has writing tutorials and workshops available on a drop-in basis, as
well as by appointment. CLAS
Student Resource Building Room SRB 3210 (805)
893-3269 http://clas.sa.ucsb.edu
Grading will be based on:
- 50% for the formal research paper
- 50% for the weekly writing assignments
Grade Calculations (whole numbers and no rounding up or down):
- 9 Weekly Assignments (100 points each. 900 points total). 50% of grade.
- 1 Formal Research Paper (100 points). 50% of grade.
Course Calculation Formula:
Weekly Assignments: 90+95+100+92+87+100+100+100+100= 864/900= 0.96x50%=48
Research Paper: 90/100= 0.90x50%= 45
Course Grade: 48+45=93 (A-)
Letter Grade Percentage:
A 94%-100%
A- 90%-93%
B+ 87%-89%
B 83%-86%
B- 80%-82%
C+ 77%-79%
C 73%-76%
C- 70%-72%
D+ 67%-69%
D 63%-66%
D- 60%-62%
F 0%-59%
Grading Policy:
Late Papers: If you have a legitimate emergency, then discuss it with the professor before the paper is due, not afterward. In the absence of an approved extension all assignments are expected when they are due.
Late Papers: If you have a legitimate emergency, then discuss it with the professor before the paper is due, not afterward. In the absence of an approved extension all assignments are expected when they are due.
Weekly Writing Assignments: Weekly writing
assignment due dates can be found in the reading schedule (Calendar section of the course website). They must be submitted to your TA.
Academic Integrity: Students in this class are
expected to complete all of
the assignments and requirements with academic integrity. Plagiarism and
cheating violate university regulations and are reportable offenses that may
result in Academic Suspension or
Dismissal from UCSB, but will definitely result in failing this course.
If you find the curriculum challenging, and you need help, please reach out to
your teaching assistant and professor for help rather than contemplating
cheating of any kind.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined by the University
as an academic offense in which a student uses another person’s work and
submits it with the intent that it should be taken as his or her own work. Plagiarism
also includes submitting your own work from another course, including Art 1A
Visual Literacy from a previous quarter, with the expectation of receiving
credit for your work more than once. Plagiarism consists of any of the
following:
1) Quoting any part of a printed or electronic source
without enclosing the quotation in quotation marks and providing the reference
for the source.
2) Paraphrasing any part of a printed or electronic source without
providing the reference for the source.
3) Presenting the point of view stated in a printed or
electronic source without acknowledging your reliance on the source, and
without citing the specific reference.
4) Copying phrases and sentences from a printed or
electronic source that is paraphrased without enclosing the cited text directly
in quotation marks.
5) Copying work submitted, or written, by another student.
6) Hiring, or otherwise engaging the services, of someone to
write your papers for you. Including using Chat GPT to write your papers.
7) Submitting work written by someone else as if it is your
own. Unintentional plagiarism can occur when writing up an essay from notes or
even memory, by reproducing sentences, phrases, or a general line of discussion
or point of view from the sources you have studied as if they are your own work,
though these passages are in fact borrowed from other sources. To avoid
suspicion of plagiarism under these circumstances, it is advisable to take care
when taking notes to enclose any text copied verbatim from a source in
quotations marks (making a note of the page number). This also applies to
paraphrasing ideas that are derived from someone else.
8) Papers
submitted for other classes MAY NOT be submitted for Art 1A: Visual Literacy. This
INCLUDES submitting a paper that YOU wrote for Art 1A a previous quarter.
This form of academic misconduct, as well as plagiarism, is a very serious
transgression that will result in failing the course and appearing before the
Dean and the Student Conduct Hearing Committee (which most often results in suspension
or expulsion).
9) Uploading your
weekly writing assignments or term papers to online websites to share with
prospective students, or downloading weekly writing assignments or term papers
from such websites is strictly prohibited. Engaging in plagiarism, or facilitating
other students to engage in plagiarism, is a direct violation of Academic
Integrity. The professor, teaching assistants and the Office of Student Conduct routinely monitor these websites that share and sell term papers and
other writing assignments.
10) Any form of
academic misconduct that violates the University of California, Santa Barbara
policy on Academic Integrity will result in failing Art 1A, and will be
reported to the Office of Student Conduct. If you are not sure whether what you are contemplating is a
violation of the aforementioned policies, then please check with your professor
or teaching assistant.
You can review the UCSB campus-wide policy on academic
integrity at the following website:
If it has been discovered that you have violated any of the
above policies, then this is what you can expect:
- Upon discovery, the misconduct will immediately be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.
- The professor will send you an email letter letting you know that it has been brought to her attention that you have submitted work in violation of University Policy, and that it has been reported to the Office of Student Conduct.
- The Office of Student Conduct will contact you to let you know that a report of Academic Misconduct has been filed, and that they can answer your questions.
- Probable sanctions will be levied against students found in violation, and the sanctions can range from suspension to permanent expulsion.
Classroom Policies: In addition to meeting UCSB’s
Academic Integrity standards, I expect students to treat everyone in the
classroom- the instructor, teaching assistants, guests, and fellow students-
with common courtesy and respect. At times we will probably be discussing
issues, and viewing materials, that generate extreme, even passionate,
responses. We will also be discussing readings that you may find particularly
difficult, confusing, frustrating, or otherwise challenging. It is important to
keep an open mind, and to persevere through the readings that you deem
particularly complicated.
If you have any difficulties or issues, please communicate
them to me, or your TA as soon as possible so that your grades won’t be
adversely affected. If you have planned vacations, away games, or other
conflicts with the many commitments required of this class– then consider
taking it another quarter when your schedule permits. Finally, we keep weekly
office hours and are readily available to assist you.
Department of Art Diversity Statement:
The Department of Art acknowledges the Chumash as the original inhabitants and custodians of the land on which our department was founded. We pay our respect to the Chumash community both past and present and to all of our relations.
As a community for higher learning, we understand that knowledge and culture are collectively produced by all races, ethnicities, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and disabilities. We embrace our different backgrounds to create a respectful space where one may critique and challenge social, cultural, and physical borders to create meaningful artistic expression. Disagreement is supported, even as we are mindful that certain identities are more privileged while others are often undermined and marginalized. We are committed to rethinking, reframing, and reconstructing art education as a groundwork for building inclusive, energized, creative communities.
Department of Art Statement in Support of BLM:
The tragic killings of Black men and women in the US and across the world continue unabated despite the graphic evidence provided by the widespread circulation of citizen cell phone camera footage. The Art Department is publicly releasing this statement in solidarity with the Black community. We do not condone the innumerable targeted acts of violence perpetrated disproportionately on Black people and other minorities by those entrusted with enforcing the law or by any other parties. These killings have gone on long enough without foundational change. Art continues to have a significant role to play in fighting injustice and pushing for positive change. The Department of Art at UCSB offers our unanimous support for the Black Lives Matter movement. We are not in a position to speak for the Black community, but refer readers to the statement released by the Department of Black Studies here.
Department of Art Diversity Statement:
The Department of Art acknowledges the Chumash as the original inhabitants and custodians of the land on which our department was founded. We pay our respect to the Chumash community both past and present and to all of our relations.
As a community for higher learning, we understand that knowledge and culture are collectively produced by all races, ethnicities, classes, genders, sexual orientations, and disabilities. We embrace our different backgrounds to create a respectful space where one may critique and challenge social, cultural, and physical borders to create meaningful artistic expression. Disagreement is supported, even as we are mindful that certain identities are more privileged while others are often undermined and marginalized. We are committed to rethinking, reframing, and reconstructing art education as a groundwork for building inclusive, energized, creative communities.
Department of Art Statement in Support of BLM:
The tragic killings of Black men and women in the US and across the world continue unabated despite the graphic evidence provided by the widespread circulation of citizen cell phone camera footage. The Art Department is publicly releasing this statement in solidarity with the Black community. We do not condone the innumerable targeted acts of violence perpetrated disproportionately on Black people and other minorities by those entrusted with enforcing the law or by any other parties. These killings have gone on long enough without foundational change. Art continues to have a significant role to play in fighting injustice and pushing for positive change. The Department of Art at UCSB offers our unanimous support for the Black Lives Matter movement. We are not in a position to speak for the Black community, but refer readers to the statement released by the Department of Black Studies here.
UCSB Student Resources:
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