Binghamton University

Harpur College of Arts and Sciences | Department of Art & Design

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Course: ARTS 373 Section: 01
CRN: 10183
Credits: 4.0

Professor: Frank Chang

Office: FA 349
Office hours: Tues 2:00 4:00 pm
fchang@binghamton.edu

Meeting: TR 10:05 am 1:05 pm

Classroom: FA 302
Professor: Frank Chang
Email: fchang@binghamton.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course, students will explore traditional as well as non-traditional materials used in historical and contemporary works in mixed
media. Through exploration, application, and the analysis of historical and contemporary models, the student will be provided the necessary
formal theories and techniques used to resolve and understand the process and practice of works produced in mixed media.
Formal elements and principles of design will be utilized and students will use construction methods to develop critical and analytical skills
to produce well-crafted and theory-based projects. Historical and contemporary methods using the application of modern advances in
construction will be demonstrated and used in this class. Students will become familiar with their environment: real-life experiences in order
to develop a sensitivity and awareness of the physical world. The student will be encouraged to visit art installations, art exhibitions, and
artist lectures. Students will come in contact with existing constructs in mixed media represented by installations from Biennial and Triennial
exhibitions around the world. Line, plane, volume, mass, space, texture, color, balance, aesthetics, and relationships of form and function
will be utilized. Students will have the opportunity to produce works that will be cohesive to their own artistic visions, through research, art
history, and art theory. Exploration in this course will include: 20th & 21st century artmaking in Media Intervention, Performance Art, Political
Art, Green Works, Assemblage, and various art and artists applicable to the individual students interest. Offered Fall and Spring semesters.
Prerequisite: ARTS171.

COURSE GOALS:
The following course goals articulate the general objectives and purpose of this course:
Students will learnthrough exploration, application, and the analysis of historical and contemporary modelshow the practice,
construction, and use of mixed media is integral to the development of a personal visual arts language.
Students will produce a body of work using varied design exercises and projects.
Each student will have the opportunity to realize and sustain a professional studio environment. Each student is responsible for a cleaning
job once a week on a rotating basis. If you are sick, call one of your colleagues and ask them to trade the work load.
Students will learn the necessary conceptual and formal theories, techniques, and skills, to produce a body of work that is cohesive and
consistent with their own individual artistic vision.
Students will review major art movements and explain their influences in todays artmaking.

COURSE OUTCOMES:
The following course outcomes indicate competencies and measurable skills that students develop as a result of completing this course:
Students will apply design process of layering, adding and editing visual information and learn to create forms that are memorable and
have structural integrity. Form and function will be discussed and used if applicable to the students artistic vision.
Students will develop a continued sensitivity towards the elements and principles of design and to create thoughtful forms through
improvisation, experimentation, editing and analysis.
Students will learn the importance of craftsmanship, creating their won well-crafted projects. Recognize how to solve construction
problems using critical thinking and how aesthetics contribute to an art form. Students will research product information and construction
techniques to achieve a high level of craftsmanship.
Students will establish high standards of achievement and to learn to constructively criticize work and accept constructive criticism from
others. express verbal, technical, and material vocabulary that is polished and beyond mediocre.

GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students in A courses will demonstrate an understanding of the creative process and the role of imagination and aesthetic judgment in at
least one principal form of artistic expression in such fields as art, art history, cinema, creative writing, dance, graphic design, music, and
theater.

COURSE STRUCTURE & INFORMATION

CREDIT HOURS: This course is a 4-credit course, which means that in addition to the scheduled meeting times, students are expected to
do at least 9.5 hours of course-related work outside of class each week during the semester. This includes time spent completing assigned
readings, participating in lab sessions, studying for tests and examinations, preparing written assignments, and other course-related tasks.
STRUCTURE: In-class exercises, critiques, lectures, and discussions will provide the basis for related out-of-class projects. All students are
expected to be present for all classes, prepared with materials and ready to work. Attendance is required and absolutely necessary in order
to learn. Attendance is taken every day starting from the first day.
ABSENCES: You are allowed a maximum of 2 unexcused absences* during the semester (including add/drop period) before your grade is
affected. Each subsequent absence will lower your final grade by two-thirds letter grade (an A becomes B+ for instance). If you arrive more
than 15 minutes late to class, or are habitually late, you will be considered absent. If you are absent the day an assignment is due, it will not
be accepted, and you will receive an F for that assignment.
If you miss a class, you are responsible for the content covered in the missed class and for the materials and assignments needed for the
next class. Students must come to class prepared with the appropriate materials and with the necessary out of class work completed. A
professional attitude is expected. Students who are disruptive or inattentive will be asked to leave the class. This will be counted as an
absence. Your commitment to the class on a consistent basis is important throughout the entire semester, and will be reflected in your
participation grade.
*Excused absencesincluding illness, family emergency, religious conflict, etc.may require a note or advance notice. Absences during
add/drop period count towards this limit. You cannot pass the course if you miss more than 5 classes.
CRITIQUES: During critiques, students learn to verbalize concepts in order to assess works in terms of their technique, process, and
meaning. Critiques also provide an opportunity for each student to be self-reflexive about her/his progress during the semester. A
professional demeanor is expected during critiques as well. Fair, constructive criticism will help each of us grow as artists and creative
individuals. Personal attacks, mockery, or ridicule of any sort will not be tolerated.
PROCESS BINDER/SKETCHBOOK: You will be expected to keep a 3-ring binder that will function as a research tool and sketchbook
during the semester. The process binder should consist of projects ideas and research developed entirely outside of class. You should also
fill the binder with other research ephemera such as notes, drawings, and print outs from online research. Specific binder exercises will also
be assigned.
WRITING: You will be required to view two (2) art exhibitions or art documentaries during the semester and write a 400-word response (not
description!) for each. These will go in your process binder and will form part of your artistic research, along with your sketches, artist
statements, and collected material. Writing as a way of developing ideas is emphasized in this course!
COMPLETED PROJECTS: Details for each project will be covered in class, but a completed project will consist of the following: 1) artwork,
2) research sketches, and/or written summary, 3) critique notes, 4) photo documentation of project and process.
COURSE FEE: The course fee of $110 includes some basic consumable supplies that are available in the studio, including: one sheet BFK
paper for each student, some ink, acrylic paint, watercolor, kraft paper, newsprint, matboard, cardboard, lightweight or balsa wood,
bookmaking cloth, and cleaning supplies.

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:
Key events including assignments, projects due dates:
Class 1
Introductions; syllabus overview; course overview; supplies information
01/27
Class 2
01/29

INTRO PROJECT: COLLAGE

Class 3
02/03

bring materials for collage

work day
2

Class 4
02/05

work day

Class 5
02/10

work day

Class 6
02/12

CRITIQUE / PROJECT DUE: COLLAGE

INTRO PROJECT: RECONSTRUCTED PAINTING

Class 7
02/17

research/bring 3 artworks/paintings for project (process binder)

work day

Class 8
02/19

work day

Class 9
02/24

work day

Class 10
02/26

CRITIQUE / PROJECT DUE: RECONSTRUCTED PAINTING

INTRO PROJECT: SEWN COMPOSITION BOOK

Class 11
03/03

Book concepts due (process binder)

Workshop: bookmaking

Class 12
03/05

work day

Class 13
03/10

work day

Class 14
03/12

work day

Class 15
03/17

CRITIQUE / PROJECT DUE: SEWN COMPOSITION BOOK

INTRO PROJECT: SITE CUBE

Class 16
03/19

work day

Class 17
03/24

work day

Class 18
03/26

Midterm process binder check / Writing assignment#1 due (hand in)

Class 19
03/31

MINI-CRITIQUE: MAQUETTES DUE: SITE CUBE

Class 20
04/02

work day

Class 21
04/07

NO CLASSES SPRING RECESS

Class 22
04/09

NO CLASSES SPRING RECESS

Class 23
04/14

work day

work day

Class 24
04/16

work day

Class 25
04/21
Class 26
04/23

work day

Class 27
04/28

work day

Class 28
04/30

work day

Class 29
05/05

CRITIQUE / PROJECT DUE: SITE CUBE

Writing assignment#2 due (hand in)

Class 30
05/07

Workshop: Digitizing your process binder

WRAP UP / DUE: ALL SEMESTER WORK ON CD

GRADING SCALE & STANDARDS

The following descriptions provide a general guide of expectations for each range of grades.

A-

B+

B-

C+

C-

D+

10096
excellent

95.9992

91.9988

87.9984
above
average

83.9980

79.9976

75.9973
average

72.9970

69.9967

D
64-67
passing

D-

63.9961

60.990
failing

10092 (A range): Work is of exceptional quality and has consistently gone over and beyond the expectations of the assignment.
Presentation of the work and craftsmanship is of professional quality. Excels at verbalizing ideas during critiques and discussions.
91.9980 (B range): All work is of a very good to high level of quality. Presentation of the work and/or craftsmanship is of student quality:
flaws are evident, but are not overly distracting. Adept contributor curing critiques and discussions.
79.9970 (C range): Work is of adequate quality. Assignments and class work are completed to the minimum expected effort level. Some
aspects of the assignment may not be fully realized, understood, or completed. Presentation of work has serious, distracting flaws.
Craftsmanship reflects an indifferent attitude. Infrequent contributor during critiques and discussions.
69.9960 (D range): Work is consistently below expected level of effort and quality. Presentation and/or craftsmanship of work is well below
the students capabilities. Well below average level of participation in class as a whole.
590 (F): Failure; no credit.

GRADING:
Your course grade will be computed according to the following breakdown:
ASSIGNMENT

PERCENTAGE

Project 1: Collage

15%

Project 2: Reconstructed Painting

15%

Project 3: Sewn Composition Book

15%

Project 4: Site Cube

30%

Process books (incl. sketches, ideas, research, and writing assignments)

15%

Participation (incl. critiques, attitude, attendance, in-class work)

10%

OVERALL, YOUR GRADE IS BASED ON:

Commitment to your work as reflected in your in-class and out-of-class work:
Quality:
Insight / Inventiveness:
Course Engagement
Studio Habits
Critique Practice

The time, energy and effort you put into your work as well as promptness regarding presentation, due
dates, and attention to detail
Approaching projects with a personal engagement and persistent effort to expand your ideas as well as
willingness to explore challenging concepts and techniques introduced in the course.
Participation in class, attendance, punctuality (arriving to class, and to and from breaks on time),
participation during critiques
Clean-up, general class citizenship
Striving to develop the ability to build an authentic aesthetic experience through description, analysis,
interpretation, and judgment within the critique format; to be able to shift into an objective, critical frame
of mind during the critique process.

GENERAL RULES:
Bring all required tools and materials to class.
Disruptive or aggressive behavior in the studio (during or outside of class time) will not be tolerated. Depending on the nature of
the incident, University Police may be called without warning.
No guests without prior approval from the instructor.
No distracting noise that might disturb classmates.
Obsessive, sustained use of cell phones, iPods, or MP3 players prohibited during class. Casual use, music, documenting work is OK.
No unnecessary materials or garments on the work tables during class.
No food or drink in the classroom (leave the room for a short break if necessary).
Clean your work space before leaving for the day.
You may not record/photograph any part of the class without my knowledge and permission

ACADEMIC DIS(HONESTY):
Binghamtons Student Academic Honesty Code, adopted by the Faculty Senate in 2002, establishes guidelines for academic integrity on
our campus. Please visit:
http://www.binghamton.edu:8080/exist7/rest/lists201112/2_academic_policies_and_procedures_all_students/academicPoliciesAndProcedureAllStudents.xml?_xsl=/db/xsl/compose.xsl
In addition to University and Harpur College policies, the University Library provides several aides to understanding and preventing
plagiarism. For information about plagiarism, see:
http://library.binghamton.edu/research/tutorials/WebTutorials/web/index.html

DISABILITY:
If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, you must notify me in writing during the first week of class.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
As this is a mixed media course, materials used during the semester may vary quite a bit from student to student. Some materials, including
one sheet 22 x 30 Rives BFK paper, some ink, acrylic paint, watercolor, kraft paper, newsprint, matboard, cardboard, lightweight or balsa
wood, bookmaking cloth will be available in the classroom.
Below are a list of minimum essential items that students are expected to have. Items with an asterisk may be hard to find in stores, and
should be ordered online ASAP.
MINIMUM SUPPLIES:
3 ring binder
sketching/drawing supplies: pencils, charcoal, some paper, etc.
scissors
X-Acto knife / utility knife
ruler
masking tape
blue painters tape
black cotton thread + hand sewing needle
PVA glue or other acid-free glue (stick OK)
matte medium

various brushes: some are provided but size, shape, quality are not guaranteed!
BOOKMAKING SUPPLIES: (talasonline.com)
*bone folder
*student awl
HANDY/OPTIONAL:
old work, photos, prints, drawings to use as material for new projects
various markers, pens, paints
cotton string/yarn, various colors
old magazines, newspapers
digital camera (smartphone/iPad OK)
nitrile gloves

REQUIRED TEXTS:
This course does not use a textbook, but required readings will be posted on Blackboard in PDF format. Additional research using
periodicals and books from the library will be mandatory to complete some assignments.

SUGGESTED TEXTS & MEDIA:

The Critique Handbook: The Art Student's Sourcebook and Survival Guide, 2nd ed., Kendall Buster and Paula Crawford, Pearson, ISBN 9780205708116
Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art, Kristine Stiles and Peter Selz, Berkeley: University of California Press, ISBN 978-0520202535
PBS ART21 videos (http://www.pbs.org/art21/videos)

DISCLAIMER:
This Syllabus is subject to change per professors discretion. Please be attentive during the class times as projects and due dates will be
announced.