Syllabus

Self I As Image  SP 2017  

Wednesdays 2:10pm - 5:30pm  

Prof. Doris Cacoilo                      

Course Description

Through the use of photography, computer graphics and mixed media this course will think about the increasingly complex relationship between our hyper-visual world of imagery and how we constantly navigate our own visual identity.

This is a general education course that is paired with the Tier 2 course, I as Body.

Self: I as Image uses core themes of self-identity and imagery to explore, enrich and empower students to understand self and identity within a context of creative approaches to visual communication. Maintaining a positive sense of self and identity requires a continual process of meta-awareness of the role of imagery in self identity, visual communication and the cultural production of values and ideals.

This course uses a multi-faceted approach to understanding imagery that combines visual observation, cultural analysis, creative projects, contemplation and formal knowledge. This course addresses a need to have the language, knowledge, experience and critical tools necessary to explore the role images play in contemporary society and culture.

This course encourages a broader consideration of citizenship by thinking critically about the relationship of identity, images, values and ideals in a highly complex visual world. Conscientious citizenship is also honed by examining cultural representations of people and bodies and the affect these visual representations have on personal, social and cultural values and ideals.

Course Requirements and Grading

Our class time will be split between discussion, lecture, studio time and presentations.  While in discussion please be respectful of the opinions of others even if they stand diametrically opposed to your own. You must be in class ON TIME and prepared for class each week. Failure to do so will be reflected in your participation grade. Failure to do so consistently can lead to failure in the course.

READINGS Various weekly reading assignments will be assigned from your required texts and linked on the blog. The full reading schedule will be distributed on the class blog. Readings are due each week. All readings are REQUIRED unless otherwise stated.

CLASS PARTICIPATION Attendance and participation in the class discussion when appropriate and in critique and comments on the blog and twitter is part of your participation grade. For each week’s readings you must select two quotes or passages from the readings and write a brief description of one art project that strikes you from that week’s readings. You must briefly describe the project, the context and the artist/collective/collaboration that created the project or work and why you responded to it. I will often collect these. Please have them written or typed on a sheet of paper you can hand to me with your name on it each week. I will call on students each week during discussion to read and discuss these quotes. You must have these prepared for each reading. 

  TWITTER You must create a twitter account (if you do not have one already) we will share links and comments with each other using the class hashtag: #activistsofresistance

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS You must consult the class blog weekly (even several times per week) to check for announcements, readings and to post your project updates and writing assignments. The blog is crucial to the course and completion of the requirements. You MUST have access to the blog to complete assignments, readings, post work and comment on students’ posts.

CLASS PRESENTATIONS: Students will each present the work of an artist who works with the self and self portraiture as a recurring theme in their work. Presentations must be between 10-15 minutes and should include a short discussion with the class. Presentations must include a visual presentation of images, video or other materials to help illustrate the work. Students will present once throughout the semester. This schedule will be determined in class on the second week of classes.

SEMESTER PROJECT

Signature Assignment Example: Self-Portrait

This is a two part project that asks students to measure experience over time and contemplate how we value images and the role that plays in navigating our own visual identity.

Part 1: MIDTERM Using processes including collage, assemblage, frottage, drawing and painting each student will compose an image that captures a self-portrait. In both written form and group discussion we will explore the following questions in group critique.

• What is the subject of your image?

• What is the content of your image?

• Why did you make the choices that led to the composition?

• What do you think this image conveys to the viewers?

Part 2: FINAL Choosing any one or combination of processes that you have explored during the semester, compose an image that captures a self-portrait. Through an oral and visual presentation of your works, explain the following to the class:

• What is the subject of your image?

• What is the content of your image?

• Why did you make the choices that led to the composition?

• Explain the process and steps you went through and why you made those decisions.

• How you would categorize your work (ex. collage, graphic print, mixed media, etc).

• What artists or works are appropriate to compare your work to?

• What do you think this image conveys to the audience?

• What are the differences between the first self-portrait and your last self-portrait?

• What influenced these changes?

Grading

Attendance is mandatory and all assignments must be finished and handed in on time to receive a passing grade for this course.

40% semester project 

30% 3 blog posts 

10% presentation

20% attendance/participation

Attendance

Attendance is, to put it simply, mandatory.

Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and will be considered when determining the final course grade. Absences affect your participation grade. More than four (4) unexcused absences will result in an 'F' (failure) for the class. No exceptions. Class begins on time, so you must be punctual. Lateness, leaving early or leaving class unexcused for an extended period of time will also be recorded. Two of these instances will count as one absence. You must bring documentation to class and hand in to me for any absences to be excused. 

You are required to make up any and all work that is missed if you are absent. Notify the professor if you will be absent. As work will not be accepted late, please contact the professor to hand in work on time. It is your responsibility to get any missed work or notes from other students in the class and to discuss any problems or questions you have with the professor.

NOTE: BACK-UP your work frequently, even as you are working on your writing assignments and on your projects. Write and edit your posts locally before uploading them to the web. No excuses.

Required Texts 

The Art of Self Invention by Joanne Finkelstein, I.B. Tauris, London: 2007

Ways of Seeing by John Berger, British Broadcasting Corporation and Penguin Books: New York 1990

On Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu/ and linked online.

Course Objectives

Cultural/Social analysis

1. Question the relationship of beauty and images.

2. Question the role of photography and images in forming identity.

3. Understand the role of the artist/designer in producing two-dimensional composition within a social and cultural context.

4. Explore the relationship of imagery and visual perception to our sense of self and identity.

5. Adopt a critical posture in the consumption and production of images and photographs.

6. Discover how context provides images’ meaning.

7. Examine the capacity and ease of capturing, producing and sharing images and the role this plays in navigating personal, social and cultural communities.

Composition and Practice

8. Study both the elements (Line, Shape, Value, Texture, Form, Color) and the principals (Unity, Variety, Balance, Emphasis) of two-dimensional design.

9. Learn to analyze, interpret and describe images both orally and written using appropriate terminology.

Creative Production/Experience

10. Experience the creative process in an art studio environment.

11. Be creative in the use of composition, media and material.

12. Experiment in projects that employ the elements of two-dimensional design and produce two-dimensional compositions in various media.

13. Integrate the research of historical and contemporary artists and designers into projects that reflect consideration of composition and visual communication.

14. Communicate thoughts, ideas and/or expression through imagery and considered composition.

15. Compare creative productions and visual experiences with peers, both orally and written.

Health and Safety 

You are not to risk the health or safety of yourself or any of the other people in the Art department. To ensure safety strictly follow all safety procedures explained to you as well as the New Jersey City University regulations. If you have any concerns or questions or are ever unclear about proper safety and health procedures, then ask the instructor or appropriate authority.  

If you feel you have any special concerns or problems that you would like to address please feel free to bring them to my attention. If there are any health concerns, either physical or psychological, that may affect your ability to fully participate in the class or complete assignments I am available to discuss possible solutions or address any of your concerns. If you have health or disability concerns that you would like to address but do not feel it is appropriate to discuss them with me there are services on campus available to address your concerns; contact Student/Health Services (Vodra Hall, Suite 107, 201-200-3456), the Art Department Office, or feel free to see me for contact info.

Class Schedule

ALL READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE SPECIFIED WEEKLY IN CLASS AND ON THE CLASS BLOG 

It is the student’s responsibility to check the blog each week for required readings and assignments. All readings can be found in the required texts, online (linked from the blog) or on Blackboard.

If you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due dates, changes or anything else please ask me after class or e-mail me: dcacoilo@njcu.edu

Students are required to read the appropriate readings for each class BEFORE class, complete all assignments on time and post 2 links to twitter each week.

Class Discussion Topic	Readings/Assignments due
1/18 Introduction to Self: I as Image Introduction of the course syllabus, class blog and themes	Get the books!
1/25 Identity, Self and Media messages	Post 1 Due including Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings Susan Sontag excerpt from On Photography (linked from the blog) and Readings on Cindy Sherman
2/1Autobiography	Finkelstein, Introduction pgs 1-36 Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings Check the blog for additional readings
2/8 Imposter, Disguise	Finkelstein, Chapter 1 pgs 42-72 John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch 1 Check the blog for additional readings The Guerrilla Girls Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
2/15 The Gaze	John Berger Chapters 2+3, On Blackboard: bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze,  Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
2/22 The Gaze	The Male Gaze Discussion Continued See the blog for readings due. AND Self Portrait Project Part 1 Midterm Presentations in Class
3/3 Behavior: Manners, Norms and Value	Post 2 Due   Finkelstein, Chapter 2 Manners pgs. 75-117 Check the blog for additional readings John Berger Chapters 4+5 Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
SPRING BREAK!
3/15 Behavior: Manners, Norms and Value	Gallery Visit Assignment Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the gallery exhibition visit
3/22 Looking Good Industry	Finkelstein, Chapter 3 pgs 121-144 Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
3/29 Looking Good Industry	Finkelstein, Chapter 4+5 Advertising and Fashion pgs 148-216, John Berger Ch 7 See blog for additional readings. Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
4/5 The Spectacle, #selfie, celebrity	Guy Debord Society of the Spectacle online See blog for readings due. Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
4/12 The Spectacle, #selfie, celebrity	Post 3 Due  Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings
4/19 Selfie Culture and Identity	See blog for readings due. Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings (last one)
4/26 Selfie Culture and Identity	No readings due. WORK ON YOUR FINALS!
5/3 PRESENTATIONS OF FINAL PROJECTS	All FINAL SELF PORTRAIT projects must be documented and posted to the class blog on 5/2 before 11pm.
5/10 TBD FINAL CLASS