Course Syllabus

ART 1020 Basic Drawing (non-majors)

Course Description

This studio course is an introduction to the basic techniques of drawing, specifically designed for students not pursuing a career in art. The focus of this course is to provide the student with an appreciation for drawing through the development of empirical drawing skills, utilizing a wide range of traditional mediums. Fundamental techniques, consistent in historic and contemporary artistic practices, will be stressed. No prior drawing experience necessary. A lab fee is required.

Justification

This course offers students an opportunity to explore a visual approach of interpreting the world. This course will fulfill the Fine Arts general education requirement at Snow College and is a popular course for students not pursuing a career in the visual arts. This course exists in a similar format in general education and art education programs throughout the country. It also provides an offering to local and regional public educators to acquire points toward re-licensure through the State Office of Education.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. This course is designed to give the non-art major student an introduction to the basic history and techniques of the drawing process. It will expand the student’s vocabulary and technical ability through a variety of lectures, demonstrations, and assignments. A basic overview of the history of drawing and the invention of linear perspective with be covered. These experiences will improve each student’s fundamental knowledge of the drawing process and the major cultures and civilizations that cultivated its advancement. It will also enhance each student’s ability to critically analyze and graphically interpret the natural world. These outcomes will be assessed through projects and class assignments.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and compile their research as a written assessment as part of their final project. This critical assessment will be a reflective response to their experience with the formal and conceptual qualities of drawing, its historical context, and its technical production process. These outcomes will be assessed through projects and class assignments.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will enhance and demonstrate their ability to resolve complex problems as it applies to drawing, through class discussion, assignments, group critiques, and written assessments. Students will use the skills and information of many additional subjects and disciplines to resolve each class assignment. These outcomes will be assessed through projects and class assignments.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Each student will be introduced to an array of historical events, movements, and technical drawing practices important to their development. Students will gain an appreciation of why drawing was so important to various cultures, and why it continues to be a viable means of visual communication. Each student will demonstrate an enhanced ability to critically and creatively interpret and analyze what they see, through the production of various projects and assignments.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will be introduced to the creative process of drawing through a variety of means through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. These teaching methods are tailored to accommodate unique learning styles that will culminate with the completion of a variety of creative projects. Through the use of the elements and principles of art, each student will demonstrate the ability to interpret the natural world and produce it graphically. Each student will learn to enhance the surface with the principles of perspective, light logic, and local value, which heighten the illusion of space. Weekly critiques and discussions will increase the student’s ability to critically analyze and respond to each technique and process.  Students will be introduced to the creative process of drawing through a variety of means through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. These teaching methods are tailored to accommodate unique learning styles that will culminate with the completion of a variety of creative projects. Through the use of the elements and principles of art, each student will demonstrate the ability to interpret the natural world and produce it graphically. Each student will learn to enhance the surface with the principles of perspective, light logic, and local value, which heighten the illusion of space. Weekly critiques and discussions will increase the student’s ability to critically analyze and respond to each technique and process.
2. Provide an informed synopsis of the performing and/or visual arts in the contexts of culture and history through reading and interpreting pertinent information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. As part of their final project each student will produce a written assessment of the technical skills they have learned, and the historic context and cultures by which they were created. Students will read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and compile their research using various traditional and electronic media.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and elemental principles fundamental to the creation of various forms of artistic expression. Each student will demonstrate a working knowledge of the conceptual and elemental principles of artistic expression by the creation of daily/weekly assignments, and by the production of a final project. This understanding will be assessed through weekly in class critiques and portfolio reviews.
4. Exhibit an ability to critically analyze artistic works using appropriate techniques, vocabulary, and methodologies. Students will be introduced to the basic techniques, vocabulary, and methodologies of drawing through a variety of means, which include: class discussions, demonstrations, group critiques, and daily and weekly assignments. These teaching methods are tailored to accommodate unique learning styles that will culminate with the completion of a variety of creative projects to assess their learning. Students will be assessed through group critiques, and daily and weekly assignments.

Course Content

Students will be introduced to the process of drawing through a variety of means, which include lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and art critiques. These teaching methods are tailored to accommodate a range of students' unique learning styles. The course will culminate with the completion of a variety of creative projects. In this course students will explore the formal elements and principles of design. The relationships between positive and negative shapes using empirical information. An investigation of the Italian Renaissance and the invention of Linear Perspective. Conduct a critical study of light logic and its application of communicating form and shadow. Students will also be introduced to the critical analysis process and develop a means to discuss and write about art.