Welcome to Art 1A Visual Literacy Fall Quarter 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.

If you have time conflicts with work, or with other classes, then you should make arrangements to be available for our weekly lectures and sections. 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, October 17 and Saturday, November 7. 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 and books are on reserve at the library (please have them in your possession before class meets for the first time). 

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! You can find our contact information HERE.

1) The Course Reader (Required. Cover shown above. Cost is $80.74, and including tax it is $87.00): The reader is only available from from SB Printer located in the UCen You can purchase a physical copy (HERE). Purchase your reader through this link, and pick it up in-person: https://square.link/u/1J4wgCwy

Weekly assignments are due the first week of class, and if you don't have your course reader yet, the assignments for week 1 have download links in the "Calendar" section of this website (Use your UCSB Net ID to download from the library website).

2) Rebecca Morse et al., (Required) Eileen Cowin: Between Panic and Paradise (Purchase from Chaucer's Books, Artbook, LACMA or Amazon). Eileen Cowin's art is the subject of the Art 1A research paper this quarter, and we will be seeing her exhibition at LACMA on Saturday, October 17. This book is important resource for your research paper.

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).

4) The Course Syllabus can be found HERE.

5) The Calendar, where your weekly reading and writing assignments are located, 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):

https://powerforms.docusign.net/619933e0-71a3-4e2c-be72-4cef88e57e41?env=na3&acct=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd&accountId=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd

*Simply sign and date them (must include the year). 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) 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."

Welcome to Art 1A Summer Session A (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.

If you have time conflicts with work, or with other classes, then you should make arrangements to be available these days. 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, July 11 and Saturday, July 25. 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 and books are on reserve at the library.

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 is available for purchase at the Associated Student Ticket Office.

2) John Berger's Ways of Seeing is available from the Campus Bookstore and Amazon (Click HERE). Also on reserve at the library.

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).

4) The Course Syllabus can be found HERE.

5) The Calendar, where your weekly reading and writing assignments are located, 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):

https://powerforms.docusign.net/619933e0-71a3-4e2c-be72-4cef88e57e41?env=na3&acct=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd&accountId=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd

*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) 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."

Welcome to Art 1A: Visual Literacy Spring Quarter 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 lectures, on Monday, March 30 and Wednesday, April 1 will be taught via Zoom from 12:30-1:45 (Monday and Tuesday sections will be in-person in Arts 1344). 

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, April 18 and Saturday, May 9. 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 books as soon as possible because you will have written assignments due the first week of class. The course reader and books are on reserve at the library.

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 is available for purchase at the Associated Student Ticket Office. Location Information and Hours HERE.

2) John Berger's Ways of Seeing is available from the Campus Bookstore and Amazon (Click HERE). Also on reserve at the library.

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).

4) Harmonia Rosales, Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic. On reserve at the library. Purchase from the Campus Bookstore, Amazon, Chaucer's Books & W.W. Norton & Company.

5) The Course Syllabus can be found HERE.

6) The Calendar, where your weekly reading and writing assignments are located, can be found HERE.

7) Information about Lectures and Sections can be found HERE.

8) The Research Paper prompt can be found HERE.

9) The UCSB Library Art 1A Research Page can be found HERE.

10) The UCSB Campus Learning Assistance Services (CLAS) can be found HERE.

11) View the UCSB policy about Academic Integrity and Academic Dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, furnishing false information, unauthorized collaboration and misuse of course materials) HERE.

12) Fill out the museum liability waivers: All trips require Liability Waivers: Fill out all three of the liability waivers (HERE):

https://powerforms.docusign.net/d5ddf326-5613-45c8-8184-331dde538479?env=na3&acct=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd&accountId=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd

*Simply sign and date them. You must use your full legal name as it appears on eGrades and GOLD.

13) Information about the Department of Art can be found HERE.

14) The UCSB Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) contact information can be found HERE.

15) The UCSB Health and Wellness website can be found HERE.

16) 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."

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.

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.

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).

4) The Course Syllabus can be found HERE.

5) The Calendar, where your weekly reading and writing assignments are located, 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):

https://na3.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=619933e0-71a3-4e2c-be72-4cef88e57e41&env=na3&acct=36d87d60-c882-4887-835a-bc389fb776dd&v=2

*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."

Welcome to Art 1A Fall Quarter 2025

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, September 29 will be taught via Zoom from 12:30-1:45 (sections will be in-person in Arts 1344 from 3:00-3:50 and 4:00-4:50). 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, October 18 and Saturday, November 8. 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.

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.

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).

4) The Course Syllabus can be found HERE.

5) The Calendar, where your weekly reading and writing assignments are located, 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: and they will be linked to here, once they are available. 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 Diversity Statement can be found HERE and the University of California Diversity Statement can be found HERE.

14) The UCSB Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) contact information can be found HERE.

15) The UCSB Health and Wellness website can be found HERE.

16) 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."