Hi everyone,
In case you haven't checked your email, our lecture on Wednesday, February 18 from 12:30-1:45 is via Zoom (link HERE). I woke up with a cold/flu and don't want to come to campus to infect everyone.
See you soon!
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
HONORS GLASS BOX GALLERY ART 1A TALK ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
WHAT: Honors Cohort Glass Box Gallery Art 1A Talk
WHEN: Wednesday, February 25 from 12:30-1:45
WHERE: Glass Box Gallery (Arts Building 534, Room 1328)
WHO: Tyler Alexander, Cameron Bibas, Bethany Close, Alex Edrozo, Payton Gomez, Elyse Harris-Crayton, Tomiko Osawa, Gaby Smith, Açúcar Viana Araujo and Jennette Wolfe
WHAT ELSE TO KNOW: The reception is from 4:00-6:00PM.
N.B.: Make sure to meet at the Glass Box Gallery, not Ellison Hall. Please arrive on time.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
UCSB AD&A Museum Field Trip: Tiffany Chung Indelible Traces on Wednesday, March 4 from 12:30-1:45
What: AD&A Field Trip: Tiffany Chung: Indelible Traces exhibit.
When: Wednesday, March 4 from 12:30-1:45
Where: UCSB AD&A Museum
We are meeting in front of the museum, please arrive on time. The museum is adjacent to the University Center and Storke Plaza/Tower.
Monday, January 19, 2026
Department of Art Honors Open Studios on Wednesday, January 28 from 4:00-6:00
What: Honors Open Studios
When: Wednesday, January 28 from 4-6pm
Where: Arts 0242 & Arts 1352
Who: The Department of Art Honors Cohort
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."
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