Course Number: ARTD 355
Course Name: Critical Topics in Art and Time
Meeting Time and Room: TU/TH 8AM - 10:45AM AB 300
Professor: Mr. Bart Woodstrup
Office Hours: TU/TH 5p.m. - 7p.m. Design Office Room H (by appointment)
Semester: Fall 2009
Email: bwoodstrup@niu.edu or bart@bartwoodstrup.com
Phone: 815.753.3808 (email preferred)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Critical Topics is a seminar based course exploring the theoretical, social and aesthetic
issues associated with interactive and time-based media art. Utilizing the course text,
assigned readings, lectures and personal research, students will build critical thinking
skills which will enable them to critique art movements and contextualize art from a solid
theoretical base. Students will engage in discussions and presentations relating to the
field of new media and time-based arts, and will further develop their critical analytical
skills through personal research and exploration.

COURSE OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course the student will:

• Be able to apply critical theory to the evaluation and appreciation of contemporary art
works.
• Build a cognitive skill set which will enrich their creative art practice.
• Develop an understanding of contemporary art methodology and practice.
• Have a deeper understanding of the conceptual and aesthetic nature of electronic and
time-based art media.


REQUIRED TEXTS

Digital Art, Second Edition by Christiane Paul
ASSIGNMENTS

10% Quizes
10% Manifesto
20% Research Paper (mid-term)
20% Curatorial or Personal Proposal (final project)
20% Weekly Response Papers (online)
20% In-class participation
______________
100% Total

ASSESSMENT

Participation
• You will be required to discuss topics, present your work, and provide constructive
feedback about your colleague's work.

• You will be required to participate in online readings, research, and discussions
(blackboard).

• Part of each assignment grade will be based on your participation during critique and
in online discussions.

• Ideas and comments that intentionally cause any physical or emotional harm to the
student or anyone else will not be accepted.

• A student may excuse themselves for a short duration if there is a conflict of religious
beliefs with the content presented.

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and taken at the beginning of class. If you arrive after
attendance has been taken, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor.

Attendance and tardy final grade modifications as follows:
• Each three tardies equal one absence.
• Each three absences equal reduction of total points by one letter grade.
• Work-in-class days are not "free" days, and you are required to attend.
• Attendance to the final critique during exam week is mandatory. Failure to appear will
result in the reduction of total points by one letter grade.

Grading
• Any appeal for grades must be brought to the instructor during office hours or at a
scheduled time convenient to both parties. Keep in mind that an appeal has the
potential to raise or lower your grade.

• Incomplete grades ("I") will only be granted for the death of a family member during
the semester, or a note from a doctor documenting a hospitalization representing a
significant period of time.

• Only if given the final grade of "I" (incomplete) will additional work after the conclusion
of a semester be accepted.


Grades are not curved and adhere to the following scale:

100-90 A = Excellent work that exhibits a mastery of all aspects of the assignment.
89-80 B = Above average work that satisfies all basic requirements.
79-70 C = Adequate work that satisfies all basic requirements.
69-60 D = Weak work that is careless or lacks effort.
59-0 F = Incomplete or failing work.


Note: I will send grades and official announcements via blackboard so make sure to
read your official NIU email. This syllabus may be modified at the instructor’s
discretion. Students will be notified in a timely manner of any changes.


Exhibiting Student Work:

I customarily document student assignments, which I want reproduce (with credit) in my
scholarly work. If you do not want me to reproduce your work or use your name,
please notify me in writing. I customarily credit student work when it’s displayed on the
boards or posted on the Internet. If you do not want me to use your name or post your
work, please notify me in writing.


ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Student-teacher relationships are built on trust. Students must trust that teachers have
made appropriate decisions about the structure and content of the courses they teach.
Additionally, teachers must trust that the assignments that students turn in are theirs.
Acts that violate this trust undermine the educational process. All work produced in this
course must be original and created by the student. The first infraction will result in a
failure for the course and a report to the Office of the Dean. Works that involved the use
of appropriation should be discussed with your instructor before you submit them for
grading. Collaborative work and discussion is encouraged. Instructor must be notified of
students' intention to collaborate on assignments well ahead of that assignment's
deadline. Instructor will determine whether or not collaboration will be allowed. Upon
assignment completion, there must be documentation of each member's contribution to
the finished assignment. The instructor reserves the right to award members of the
collaboration different grades.

DISABILITY CLAUSE

NIU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that mandates reasonable
accommodations are provided for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a
disability and may require some type of instructional and/or examination
accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I can provide or
facilitate in providing accommodations you may need.

If you have not already done so, you will need to register with the Center for
Access-Ability Resources (CAAR), the designated office on campus to provide services
and administer exams with accommodations for students with disabilities. The CAAR
office is located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building
(815-753-1303). I look forward to talking with you soon to learn how I may be helpful in
enhancing your academic success in this course.