Syllabus

FELICIAN UNIVERSITY MISSION
Felician University is an independent co-educational Catholic/Franciscan University founded and sponsored by the Felician Sisters to educate a diverse population of students within the framework of a liberal arts tradition. Its mission is to provide a full complement of learning experiences, reinforced with strong academic and student development programs designed to bring students to their highest potential and prepare them to meet the challenges of the new century with informed minds and understanding hearts. The enduring purpose of Felician University is to promote a love for learning, a desire for God, self knowledge, service to others, and respect for all creation.

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES MISSION
The School of Arts and Sciences is committed to promoting the University’s Franciscan-Felician mission by providing an environment that fosters the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of our students. The Liberal Arts curriculum challenges students to explore creative ways of thinking within a broad scope of study that integrates intellectual traditions with essential values. Our diverse programs encourage students to become lifelong learners and compassionate contributors to the well-being of others throughout their lives.

DEPARTMENT OF ART MISSION
The Art Program at Felician Universtiy produces artists with the skills, knowledge, and critical sensibility to effectively communicate ideas through individual forms of expression. Offering a variety of courses in Fine Art, Graphic Design, and Photography and New Media, the Department's objective is to emphasize the teaching of technique in concert with the critical study of different historical forms of art production, providing a life-long reference of cultural understanding.

Through a rigorous and dynamic curriculum, graduates of the Art Program will be able to implement a variety of creative skills and techniques, as well as produce a range of forms and styles; critique works of art based on their survey knowledge of major historical examples and schools of thought; recognize trends in contemporary cultural thinking; understand the importance of the arts in society; assess their personal strengths and interests; and create and present work suitable for exhibition and publication. Ultimately, graduates will be able to integrate and synthesize their skills, knowledge, and experience into a powerful career strategy.

ART-450-R SENIOR PRACTICUM
Graphic Design/Photography/New Media
3 credits, undergraduate, traditional
Spring 2016
M 2:35-5:05, Martin Hall 302

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Michael J. Nyklewicz, M.A.
Associate Professor
Email: nyklewiczm@felician.edu
201-559-6107

Office Hours

Resources

Updated 01/25/16

Little Egypt
Marilyn Minter, 2003

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course enables students to develop an advanced project or series of projects, with particular emphasis on professional studio practice. Intended primarily for students interested in graduate study and required of B.F.A. candidates, this course serves as a bridge to their future careers. Regular readings will be assigned and discussed in class, and a museum or gallery field trip will be included as well. Prerequisite: ART-449.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
In this course, students will:

develop a thesis body of work from initial concept to final execution that addresses a theme or topic researched by the student
gain a sophisticated understanding of the intellectual, technical, and logistical issues related to developing, installing, and promoting an exhibition
inform their final thesis project with imagery and forms that have been rigorously vetted to best express the students’ creative intentions
learn to both communicate and defend their work in written and oral contexts
acquire a foundation knowledge of contemporary cultural theory and its practical application in creative production and cultural discourse.

RECOMMENDED TEXT

See Readings in COURSE CONTENT.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Notebook / Sketchbook
Materials will be determined by the needs of your project(s)

COURSE CONTENT

Week One (01/18)
MLK Day - no class

Week Two (01/25)
Introduction
John E. Karlin, Who Led the Way to All-Digit Dialing, Dies at 94

Week Three (02/01)
Project Proposal
Reading: Rotten Sun

Week Four (02/08)
Project/Statement #1
Reading: Formless
Reading: Fischli and Weiss: Anarchy at the Guggenheim

Week Five (02/15)
Presidents Day - no class

Week Six (02/22)
Reading: Why We Love Beautiful Things
Project/Statement #2

Week Seven (02/29)
Reading: The Big Toe
Project/Statement #3

Week Eight (03/07)
Spring Break

Week Nine (03/14)
Midterm - no class

Week Ten (03/21)
CV & Portfolio Considerations

Week Eleven (03/28)
Field Trip

Week Twelve (04/04)
Project/Statement #4

Week Thirteen (04/11)
Project/Statement #5

Week Fourteen (04/18)
Project/Statement #6

Week Fifteen (04/25)
Open Studio

Week Sixteen (05/02)
Life After Felician

Week Sixteen (05/09)
Final Project/Statement Review

GRADING RUBRICS

Project - Semester / Final	1 pt. / 6 pts.	0.5 pt. / 4 pts.	0.25 pt. / 2 pts.
Skills & Techniques	Artwork exhibits a mastery of skills and techniques appropriate to the medium.	Artwork exhibits average skills and techniques appropriate to medium.	Artwork exhibits basic skills and techniques appropriate to the medium.
Composition & Presentation	Artwork is thoughtfully and creatively composed; presentation adds to its effectiveness.	Artwork is thoughtfully composed, but lacks creativity; presentation somewhat adds to its effectiveness.	Artwork is carelessly composed; presentation is indiscriminate.
Originality	Interpretation of the project shows independent thought and creative ideas.	Intepretation of the project shows some creativity, but lacks in realization of ideas.	Interpretation of the project is obvious.
Communication	Artwork effectively communicates ideas in relation to the artist's intent.	Artwork communicates ideas in relation to the artist's intent.	Artwork somewhat communicates ideas in relation to the artist's intent.

Statement - Semester / Final	1 pt. / 6 pts.	0.5 pt. / 4 pts.	0.25 pt. / 2 pts.
Content	Ideas are clearly defined with cogent arguments and well-chosen supporting material.	Ideas are satisfactorily defined with adequate arguments and supporting materials.	Ideas are not clearly defined, lacking convincing arguments and appropriate supporting materials.
Structure	Paper is well organized, progressing from thesis to conclusion in a logical and understandable manner.	Paper progresses from thesis to conclusion, but is poorly organized.	Paper is unorganzied, lacking a clearly defined thesis and conclusion.
Originality	Interpretation of the research topic shows independent thought and creative ideas.	Intepretation of the research project shows some creativity, but lacks in realization of ideas.	Interpretation of the research topic does not go beyond the obvious.
Citations	Accurate use of footnotes and bibliography, as verified by Turnitin.	Somewhat accurate use of footnotes and bibliography, as verified by Turnitin.	Improper use of footnotes and bibliography, as verified by Turnitin.

GRADING POLICIES
Grades will be based on the criteria found in the GRADING RUBRICS.

Semester Projects: 24%
Semester Statements: 24%
Final Project: 24%
Final Statement: 24%
Exam: 4%

Total percentage is 100, which is translated into a letter grade using the standards published in the University Catalog (see below); there will be no grading curve.

Felician University operates on the 4.00 grading system and determines the academic standing of students according to the following scale:

Grade	Description	Numerical Equivalent	Quality Points
A	Outstanding	95-100	4.000
A-	Excellent	90-94	3.670
B+	Very Good	87-89	3.333
B	Good	83-86	3.000
B-	Above Average	80-82	2.670
C+	Average	77-79	2.333
C	Acceptable	70-76	2.000
D	Poor	65-69	1.000
F	Failure	64 or below	0.000
FA	Failure due to non-attendance	64 or below	0.000

COURSE POLICIES

All communication of course-related matters will be done only via Felician University email addresses.
Please expect to spend time outside of class working on your projects.
There are no excused absences for this course; students are expected to attend all class meetings. Two (2) missed classes will lower your final grade by five (5) points; each additional class will lower your final grade by five (5) points. Habitual late arrivals/early departures (three or more) will also lower your final grade by five (5) points.
Late assignments will be penalized 3 points; make-up exams will not be given except under dire circumstances (appropriate documentation must be provided).
Please see the Student Handbook for the University's policies on plagiarism and acceptable conduct.
All written work must be submitted through Turnitin; revisions will be allowed based on the Similarity Report.
Use of personal electronic devices and/or improper use of computers during class is not allowed; each instance will lower your final grade by one (1) point.

NOTE

University Wide Policies can be found in the University Catalogue.
By enrolling in this course, you agree to abide by the Felician University Honor Code, which states you pledge your honor that you will neither give nor receive inappropriate aid on all exams, quizzes, and similar work assigned during the semester.
Extenuating circumstances may necessitate a change in the syllabus or schedule. Every effort will be made to provide adequate notice of such changes.