What: Honors Open Studios
When: Wednesday, January 28 from 4-6pm
Where: Arts 0242 & Arts 1352
Who: The Department of Art Honors Cohort
Monday, January 19, 2026
Friday, January 16, 2026
Mechanics of a Formal Research Paper & Scholarly Research Training Workshops
Scholarly Research Training Workshop: Wednesday, January 21 from 12:30-1:45 in lecture with Heather Nisen.
Mechanics of a Formal Research Workshop: Monday, February 2 from 12:30-1:45 in lecture.
Heather Nisen (Art & Architecture Librarian):
hnisen@ucsb.edu
http://guides.library.ucsb.edu/art1a
hnisen@ucsb.edu
http://guides.library.ucsb.edu/art1a
(805) 893-3026
Here is the link to the plagiarism tutorial that the Teaching & Learning Department created:
Paper Format (PAPER TOPIC HERE):
- 10 pages of text (this does NOT include the cover page, bibliography or images)
- Double-spaced
- Cover page
- Footnotes or endnotes
- Bibliography
- Images (at the end of the paper)
- Use at least 10 different research sources (including peer reviewed
journal articles, books, exhibition catalogs, monographs, etc.)
- Use at least 10-15 citations
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN WRITING & EDITING YOUR PAPER:
1) Do I have the proper number of citations and sources?
2) Did I properly format my citations using MLA or Chicago?
3) Do I have a properly formatted formal bibliography?
4) Did I adhere to the proper paper length?
5) Do I have a clear, and specific thesis statement?
6) Does my thesis statement specifically relate to the final draft of my paper?
7) Did I run spell check (repeatedly)?
8) Did I carefully edit to make sure that I used proper grammar, and were my tenses consistent?
9) Did I formulate clear arguments and substantiate all of my claims with clear and concrete examples?
10) Did I avoid sweeping generalizations and vague assertions?
11) Did I use casual colloquial language in my formal research paper? If so, find more precise ways to describe the point being made.
12) Did I use scholarly research sources such as peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly articles and books rather than sources such as blogs, Wikipedia, encyclopedias etc (that are not acceptable sources for a formal research paper).
13) Did I properly cite quotes and summaries of other people's intellectual property (footnotes and in-text citations)?
14) Did I avoid excessive biographical information about the artist? Instead I should only include biographical information that is directly relevant to their artistic practice.
15) Would anyone reading my paper understand what I am trying to convey, or do I need to more clearly define the scope of my research and ultimately the point of my paper?
16) Did I place the pictures at the end of my paper? If I embedded them in the text, I need to remove them and place them at the end of my paper.
17) Did I remember to put my name, perm number and section time on my paper?
18) Did I remember to frequently save, backup and email drafts of my paper to myself (just in case my computer crashes)?
19) When I had questions, or needed help, did I reach out to my TA, professor or CLAS?
GENERAL TIPS ON WRITING YOUR PAPER:
1) The selection of a good thesis and supporting examples is an important part of producing a good paper. Be selective. The paper is about how to look closely at works of art and how your evaluation of objects and images is expanded by the specific context in which they are presented.
2) Write primarily with nouns and verbs. Avoid unnecessary (especially vague and imprecise) adjectives and adverbs.
3) Revise and rewrite. Proofread your work. Do not rely solely on "spell check."
4) Use the dictionary to refer to words you do not fully understand.
5) Do not overstate, or excessively use qualifiers (such as very, rather, little, etc.).
6) Use orthodox diction and accurate spelling. ("Its" is possessive; "It's" is a contraction for "it is," "Its' " doesn't exist. "Their" is possessive, "They're" is a contraction of "they are," There is declarative).
7) Be clear. Make references clearly. (Do not use the word "this" as the subject of a sentence).
8) Do not let your opinions get in the way of your writing.
9) Avoid using Wikipedia, blogs, newspaper articles and other materials that are not scholarly. These ARE NOT research materials for a formal research paper.
10) Get to the point quickly. Concentrate on quality of writing not quantity of words.
11) For help with formatting MLA and Chicago citations, visit Purdue Owl: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
For help writing the paper contact CLAS at 893-3269. They have a writing lab that will help you with papers, and will even proofread your papers. They also offer help specifically to students for whom English is a second language. CLAS site: http://www.clas.sa.ucsb.edu/
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Art 1A TA Paper Grading Rubric
Paper Grading Rubric (100 Points Total)
Main Criteria (80 points total)
1. Attention to the Prompt – 30 points
● 30–27: Fully addresses all aspects of the prompt with depth and clarity
● 26–23: Addresses most aspects of the prompt, some areas underdeveloped
● 22–19: Limited engagement with the prompt, missing key elements
● 18–0: Off-topic or does not address the prompt
2. Implementation of Previously Given Feedback – 30 points
● 30–27: Clearly incorporates feedback, major improvement shown
● 26–23: Feedback is partially incorporated, some issues remain
● 22–19: Minimal evidence of applying feedback
● 18–0: No evidence of applying feedback
3. Writing Mechanics (Grammar, Punctuation, Citation) – 20 points
● 20–18: Grammatically correct, proper punctuation, citations correct in style (MLA/Chicago)
● 17–15: Minor errors, but meaning remains clear
● 14–12: Frequent errors that occasionally hinder clarity
● 11–0: Serious errors that obscure meaning or incorrect/missing citations
Secondary Criteria (10 points total)
4. Structure & Formatting – 5 points
● 5: Clear sentence structure, logical flow, and coherent paragraphs
● 4: Mostly clear, some awkward phrasing or organization issues
● 3–2: Frequent structural issues that hinder readability
● 1–0: Lacks coherence and structure
5. Adherence to Due Date (Weekly Writing Assignments Only) – 5 points
● 5 points: Submitted on time
● 3 points: Submitted late but within 24 hours
● 1 point: Submitted 1–2 days late
● 0 points: Submitted more than 48 hours late (results in a score of 0/100 for the entire assignment)
Note: Research papers require prior approval from the instructor for extensions. Late submissions without approved extensions may receive a score of 0.
Minor Deductions (up to –10 points)
● Incorrect font size (–2)
● Incorrect spacing (–2)
● Missing page numbers (–2)
● Other formatting issues (–1 to –4 at instructor’s discretion)
Total Possible: 100 points
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Welcome to Art 1A: Visual Literacy Winter 2026
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Art 1A: Visual Literacy! I wanted to reach out to let you know that everything that you need to know about Art 1A will be posted here on the Art 1A website, not on Canvas. Please read everything carefully, I will go over this information in class when we meet, and I will answer any questions that you may have.Art 1A lectures and sections will be taught in-person. However, the first lecture, on Monday, January 5 will be taught via Zoom from 12:30-1:45 (sections will be in-person in Arts 1344 from 2:00-2:50 and 3:00-3:50). Zoom link: https://ucsb.zoom.us/j/83111992304
You do not need a pass code to join the Zoom meeting, sign in as an attendee.
If you have time conflicts with work, or with other classes, then you should make arrangements to be available these days, or consider taking Art 1A another quarter. There are also two Los Angeles museum field trips that are an important part of the class. We are offering an alternative museum field trip in Santa Barbara for one of the field trips, if you can't get to Los Angeles twice. Please make sure that you are available on Saturday, January 31 and Saturday, February 14. These two museum field trips are in lieu of the lectures those weeks, but sections are still scheduled. 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.
Please purchase your course reader and book as soon as possible because you will have written assignments due the first week of class. The course reader is on reserve at the library, and the book is on reserve every single quarter.
Please fill out the Art 1A Questionnaire (HERE), and return it to me and your TA ASAP. This will help us get to know you, and it will also let us know whether you are having any technology issues. You can find our contact information HERE.
2) John Berger's Ways of Seeing is available from the Campus Bookstore and Amazon (Click HERE).
3) Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. On reserve at the library, but you can download a free copy when you log into the library website (using your UCSB Net ID).
Please fill out the Art 1A Questionnaire (HERE), and return it to me and your TA ASAP. This will help us get to know you, and it will also let us know whether you are having any technology issues. You can find our contact information HERE.
Course Reader (cover pictured below) and book information (please have them in your possession before class meets for the first time). The course reader is on reserve at the library.
1) The Course Reader (cover shown above) is only available from Associated Students. You can purchase a physical copy (HERE).
Weekly assignments are due the first week of class, and if you don't have your course reader you can use the Reserve Copy at the Library so that you do your first assignment on time. The physical copy will be available for purchase at the Associated Student Ticket Office. Location Information and Hours HERE.
4) The Course Syllabus can be found HERE.
6) Information about Lectures and Sections can be found HERE.
7) The Research Paper prompt can be found HERE.
8) The UCSB Library Art 1A Research Page can be found HERE.
9) The UCSB Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) can be found HERE.
10) View the UCSB policy about Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, furnishing false information, unauthorized collaboration and misuse of course materials) HERE.
11) Fill out the museum liability waivers: All trips require Liability Waivers: Fill out all three of the liability waivers (HERE):
*Simply sign and date them. You must use your full legal name as it appears on eGrades and GOLD.
12) Information about the Department of Art can be found HERE.
13) The UCSB Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) contact information can be found HERE.
14) The UCSB Health and Wellness website can be found HERE.
15) UCSB Department of Art Intellectual Challenge Policy: "Intellectual challenge and academic rigor are among the foundations of our program. Our faculty foster communities of inquiry and free speech based in self-awareness, individual responsibility, and an informed world view. We encourage divergent opinion and cogent argument, believing lively debate, exposure to differing viewpoints, and a certain level of discomfort are essential to intellectual and artistic growth.
In our classes, students will be shown work and introduced to theories and practices that may challenge their beliefs and assumptions. Students are expected to think critically rather than react impulsively; to consider opposing viewpoints and others’ opinions and experiences with openness and thoughtfulness; and to engage in a manner befitting themselves as artists and scholars in this university, an institution of higher learning."
ART 1A MUSEUM FIELD TRIPS WINTER 2026
This quarter we have two spectacular field trips planned. Our first field trip is to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the second field trip is to the Getty Center. There are simply too many important exhibitions between these two museums, and therefore we will have two field trips. These field trips are all day events, and they are in lieu of the lectures that week. If you are unable to go to the Getty Center or LACMA, there is an alternative field trip for you to attend on your own during the week of our LACMA or Getty Trips. The alternative trip is to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (details below). You must attend one of the Los Angeles field trips, and can do the other in Santa Barbara, if you can't make the trip to LA twice. It is by far preferable that you attend both Los Angeles field trips.
PLEASE FILL OUT ALL THREE OF THE LIABILITY WAIVERS ASAP:
All three liability waivers are in this one link. Be sure to sign and date all three, and you must use your first and last name. Link HERE: https://na3.docusign.net/
A FEW TIPS TO PREPARE FOR OUR FIELD TRIPS:
1) Be sure that you have our emails with you! If you arrive late, you want to be able to find us at the museum. However, try to leave early so that you arrive on time, because reception isn't good in all parts of the museums, and you may be waiting a long time before we see your email.
2) I would suggest eating a big breakfast since we won't be taking a break for lunch until later in the day. Furthermore, pack snacks for the road, and for lunch, unless you want to treat yourself to food at the museum.
3) If you are driving from Santa Barbara, be sure to give yourself at least two hours to drive to LA. You never know what kind of traffic that you will encounter.
4) Wear comfortable shoes and clothing! We will be doing a lot of walking and hiking up stairs, so you want to be very comfortable.
5) Charge your phone since you will want to take a lot of pictures at the museum.
FIELD TRIP #1: LACMA ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 AT NOON
FIELD TRIP #2: THE GETTY CENTER ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 AT 1:00PM
MANDATORY LIABILITY WAIVERS (PLEASE FILL OUT ALL OF THEM TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL OF THE FIELD TRIPS):
All three liability waivers are in this one link: HERE. Be sure to sign and date all three.
Students must submit the liability waiver forms for each trip, and will not receive free admission without them. If you show up to the museum without having done this, you will have to pay full admission and you will not legally be recognized as part of the UCSB Department of Art field trip. If you have difficulty filling out your DocuSign Liability Waiver, then email your professor and our Undergraduate Advisor, Hannah Vainstein: arts-undergraduate@ucsb.edu.
FIELD TRIP #1 ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 31: LACMA AT 12:00PM
Students must submit the liability waiver form, and will not receive free admission to LACMA without it. If you show up to the museum without having done this, you will have to pay full admission and you will not legally be recognized as part of the UCSB Department of Art field trip. If you have difficulty filling out your DocuSign Liability Waiver, then email your professor and our Undergraduate Advisor, Hannah Vainstein: arts-undergraduate@ucsb.edu.
MEETING AT LACMA:
We will meet at LACMA at the Wilshire Blvd. entrance next to the ticket office and Chris Burden's Urban Light sculpture (shown picture above) at 12:00PM on Saturday, January 31. LACMA will be providing us with free admission to the museum, but they do not provide free parking. I will be waiting for you with your free admission ticket.
Please read all guidelines HERE before your visit. https://www.lacma.org/plan-your-visit
5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (323) 857-6010
Parking costs $23.00 per vehicle, and it is not part of our free admission. You can also park on the street in the surrounding neighborhoods, and at parking meters (but you will have to periodically run back to your car to feed your meter).
FIELD TRIP #2 ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14: THE GETTY CENTER AT 1:00PM
Students must submit the liability waiver form, and will not be able to attend without it. If you have difficulty filling out your DocuSign Liability Waiver, then email your professor and our Undergraduate Advisor, Hannah Vainstein: arts-undergraduate@ucsb.edu.
We will be meeting at 1:00PM on the museum side of the tram drop off (shown above). If you are carpooling (2 or more people from Art 1A and/or Art 196 students in a single vehicle), then you are eligible to receive free parking, otherwise you must pay $25.00 for parking. Only students in my classes are eligible for free parking. Parking Information: https://www.getty.edu/visit/center/parking-and-transportation/
The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Parking and Transportation Information HERE
1200 Getty Center Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Parking and Transportation Information HERE
ALTERNATIVE MUSEUM TRIP: If you are unable to attend the Getty Center, or LACMA then you can go on your own on a different day, or do the alternative trip to the SBMA, but you must attend at least one of the LA museums with our class.
ALTERNATIVE TRIP to SBMA: This is in case of an emergency that prevents you from attending one of the two LA museum field trips, but not both.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 805.963.4364
@sbmuseart
Tues - Sun 11 am - 5 pm
Thurs 11 am - 8 pm
Closed Mondays and holidays
1130 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: 805.963.4364
@sbmuseart
Tues - Sun 11 am - 5 pm
Thurs 11 am - 8 pm
Closed Mondays and holidays
Free to students with ID
Nota Bene: The museum trip is all-day immersive experience, and therefore the museum field trip is in lieu of both of the Art 1A lectures, and the Art 196 seminar meeting that week. If you do not go to the museum that week, or do the alternative museum field trip, then you will have two absences and a zero on the writing assignment that week. Take a selfie at the museum, and photographs of the works of art that were of interest to you, and include them in your paper (see assignments in the "Reading" tab at the top of the website).
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Art 1A Artist Talk Featuring Alexis Childress on Wednesday, December 3
Artwork and photograph courtesy of Alexis Childress
What: Artist Talk featuring Alexis Childress
When: Wednesday, December 3 from 12:30-1:45
Where: Phelps 2524
Website: www.alexischildress.com
Alexis Childress (1993) is a mixed media artist born in Illinois. She received her BFA from Georgia State University (2020), and is currently pursuing an MFA at the University of California Santa Barbara. Her work visualizes an investigation of identity, systems and Afrofuturistic dreams. Using 2D and 3D digital collage to craft creatures and imagine worlds that symbolize the Black American consciousness. Alexis has exhibited in venues such as the Morean Arts Center (FL), MINT Gallery (GA), Atlanta Photography Group Gallery and the Rhode Island Center of Photographic Arts. As an established writer, her contributions extend to publications like Burnaway Magazine, Create! Magazine and the New York Public Library Zine. She has been recognized with the Red Bull Arts Microgrant, the Georgia Visual Artist Grant as well as selected to present at the 2021 Society of Photographic Education National Conference.
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