Fundamentals of Art
SY 2008/09
This is an introductory Art course and a prerequisite for students wishing to take further Art courses at PAHS. Students will be given exposure to a variety of Art disciplines such as drawing, painting, and ceramics. Topics such as composition, balance, symmetry, and basic color theory will be explored through a variety of projects specifically designed for students with limited experience with the visual Arts. The text for this course is The Visual Experience by Jack Hobbs & Richard Salome.
GRADES: Grades for this class fall into one of three categories: assignment grades, quiz grades, and daily participation grades. Assignment Grades are based on the quality completion of in-class projects (approx. one per week). Most assignments will be worth a maximum of 100 points (A+). There will, however, be several unusually complex assignments given throughout the Semester that will carry a greater weight. The grading criteria for each assignment will be explained when the assignment is given and reiterated while works are in progress. Only completed weekly assignments will be accepted. The work should be finished by the end of the week it is assigned, but may be submitted the following week no later than the end of the first day on which the student has Fundamentals of Art again (usually either a Monday or Tuesday). A quiz will be given weekly that covers material from the text. Each quiz will be worth a maximum of 50 points. Daily participation grades are explained below. Each marking period’s grade will be determined by averaging all assignment grades, quiz grades, and daily participation grades (see below). It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that assignments are turned in on time (see “Homework” below). In addition to the mid-quarter progress report, sponsors will be notified if the student’s grade falls below a “C”.
DAILY PARTICIPATION GRADES: Students are expected to be participating (in Art) for each, entire class period. Each student has the opportunity to earn 50 participation points every time they come to class. FACT: Since many projects take at least two class periods, it’s possible to earn as many points during a week on participation as on an actual assignment! Think about it! If a student fails to begin working on the current assignment within 10 minutes of the beginning of class, they will receive 0 participation points for that day. Similarly, students who cease work more than 10 minutes before the end of class will receive 0 points for that day. If a student feels that he/she has completed an assignment before it is due, the student must still participate in Art. This can take the form of a free project for extra credit. Please note: Extra credit projects cannot take the place of regular assignments.
Bottom line? PARTICIPATE!!!!!!!
HOMEWORK: “Homework” will not be assigned for this class. However, if an assignment is not completed and turned in by the end of the class in which it is due, it may be taken as homework and finished at home. Students are not permitted to neglect beginning a new assignment in order to complete an older one (see “Daily Participation Grades” above).
SEMINAR: Seminar passes will be available only to those students who have either missed class due to an excused absence (ex. illness, sports, suspension) or have missed at least half of a class due to an excused tardy. A “Daily Participation Grade” can be earned under the same conditions as stated above (see “Daily Participation Grades” above). “Family Trips” are permissible according to DoDDS, but it is the student’s responsibility to obtain work before missing school in order to receive credit. Missed assignments associated with a “Family Trip” that are not picked up ahead of time will be counted as 0 and cannot be made up. Daily Participation points (see above) missed during a “Family Trip” will not be counted as 0’s, but may also not be made up during Seminar.
ARTISTIC CONTENT: Artwork containing profanity, graphic violence, drug/alcohol promotion, hate themes, or explicit nudity will not be accepted. Students are encouraged to ask before beginning a project that may fall into one (or more) of the areas listed above.
LANGUAGE: Profanity and/or language with vulgar content is unacceptable. In a class period, a student may receive one (1) warning if he/she is in violation. Further violation will result first in an after school detention, then in a discipline referral to the administration.
CELL PHONES: Students are permitted to possess cell phones, but are not to use them during school. Furthermore, cell phones should not be out at any time in the Art room. Cell phones that are out will be confiscated and turned in to the administration. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that cell phones are turned OFF when entering the Art room. If a student’s cell phone sounds during class, they are to turn it off immediately without answering it. If a student’s cell phone sounds more than once during a semester, the student will be referred to the administration.
CAMERAS: Unless given specific permission, students may not take photographs or have cameras out in the Art room. Cameras that are out without permission will be confiscated and turned in to the administration.
LEAVING EARLY: Students will be released from class at the scheduled bell. If a student is out of the Art room during or at the end of class without permission, he/she will be referred to the administration.
Ø Aesthetics
Ø Art Criticism
Ø The Elements of Art
Ø The Principles of Design
Ø Media
Ø Careers in Art
Ø Non –Western Art