Sunday, August 24, 2014

Greetings

When I was in graduate school I had the honor of being in a seminar class under the guidance of glass artist Bill Bagley. Yes, the same person the glass pad in Junction is dedicated to and the person who taught Vicki and Bob how to blow glass. This non traditional teacher had an unique approach to seminar classes which we will be following. Bill's belief was that as graduate students you should be reading, exploring, experimenting, visiting, creating something related to your art every week. As such, each week we simply reported on what we had done.  It was the best graduate class I took because I was suddenly put in charge of the direction my investigation would go or not go. I loved the idea that one book would lead to another book or books suggested by the class. Or an event, a new approach to making art, a new art space to visit or maybe just a new way of looking at my work.

So, by Sunday, Aug.31st, midnight I am requesting you briefly introduce yourselves even though most of you know each other from Junction.( I always like to allow for the possibility of change.) Give a outline of what you are proposing for your research this semester.  List books you will read, places you will visit, new works you will  create. This way we can begin to think about anything information (in terms of books/places/events) we might be able to share with  the person posting. Remember this is your degree so any direction you choose is fine. I will be giving feedback each week.

I am excited at the prospect of what each of you will set up for yourselves. My one word of advise: remember this is a graduate class and you will need to actively working each week,

syllabus




Fall 2014
Art 5360 Seminar in Art Education: “Independent Research as Artistic Practice”
Future Akins-Tillett, Associate Professor of Art



Last day to drop a class without a penalty
Sept 10, 2014

Catalog Description
Topics very per course from faculty research to publication processes, ecology, technology, interpretation, and issues of power, privilege, and ideology. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites
Graduate standing and permission of instructor.

Overview of Class
This class will share individual research topics including readings, creative works and exploration of art/craft sites or events. As a class you will respond weekly. All posts are due by midnight Sunday. Responses to posts are due by midnight the following Saturday. An example: if your post is due Sunday 7th, by midnight, then all responses to that post are due by Saturday September 13th, by midnight. Hopefully this will help create a continuous dialog and give me the opportunity to set up challenging questions based on your writings.  You are required to respond to a minimum of 5 posts by other students each week. I am interested in your honest and thoughtful reactions to the writings of the other students. I ask you to listen to each other with respect. If at anytime an issue develops and you feel a need to contact me directly or privately do not hesitate to write me at future.akins@ttu.edu.


Final Requirements
In addition to the weekly post on your individual research and your responses to a minimum of 5 other student’s post you are required to present two other documents from the semester. The first is a 500-700 word essay reviewing the research presented by the class as a whole.  In this essay I want you to reflect on what you gained or did not gain from the work others presented. How did this information affect your own work? Was this style of a seminar class successful for you or do you prefer the more directed format? The second document is either an additional 500-700 word essay on your own research. A summery of what you learned. Or this may be a creative artifact with a short 250 word explaination.


Outcomes
1. Students will share individual topics of interest for their capstone exhibitions/ professional projects / thesis.
2. Students will compare various individual research topics to their own field of study.
3. Students will apply the gained knowledge to their own research.

Assessments
1.Students will be able to reflect, analyze and discuss contemporary/ traditional approaches to individual research.
2.Students will write a 500-700 word review of the various pedagogical experiences shared by others.
3. Students will share a 500-700 word essay or a creative artifact as evidence of their individual research.

Attendance Policy
Your attendance is necessary in order to make this class a successful learning experience. If you know you will be unable to respond on the blog during the set time it is your responsibility to notify me in advance and make arrangements to make up work. Continued absences will have a direct impact on your grade. You are expected to respond to the postings within the week in order to have a continuous dialog. Responding late, in bulk messages, is unfair and puts the other students at a disadvantage. Your grade will reflect this practice.

Absence due to officially approved trips.
The Texas Tech University Catalog states that the person for a student missing class due to a trip should notify the instructor of the department in advance of the trip. The may not be penalized and is responsible for the material missed.

Religious Holy Days (O.P. 34.19)
“Religious holy days” means a holy day observed by a religion whose place of worship are exempt from property taxation under Tax Code 11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention know in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactory.

American with Disabilities Act
Any student who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements, should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification form Student Disability Services to the instructor. Please note instructors are to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services office at 335 West Hall or 806.742.2405 (American with Disabilities Act, July 26,1990).

Health and Safety Policy
Every effort will be made to comply with the intent of state laws or act sand the University Health and Safety Program in an effort to maintain a safe academic and working environment. Information and awareness of safety factor will be included in course content.

Civility in the Classroom
Students are expected to assist in maintaining a online classroom environment that is conductive to learning. In order to assure that all students have an opportunity to gain from time spent in class, inappropriate behavior such as vulgarity, personal attacks, or attempts to intimidate another student within the online posts and responses shall result in minimally a request to leave the class. If you are asked to leave the class it will be counted as an absence for that session.

Conflict Resolution The Student Resolution Center is available to assist students with any conflict or problem that has to do with being a student at Texas Tech University. You may visit the Student Resolution Center in the Student Union Building or call 742-4791

Academic Integrity  It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension” (2011-12 Texas Tech Student Handbook, page 8). “Academic dishonesty” includes, but it not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student.” (For the specific definitions of Academic Misconduct, see 2011-2012 Texas Tech Student Handbook, page 28). This includes, but is not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor or the attempt to commit such an act.

Grade Rubric
Postings and responses     
(5 points each week, 14 posts)                                       75
Essay reviewing classmates’ research                                     10
Essay or creative artifact on personal research                    20                                        
90-100               A
80-89                 B
70-79                 C
60-69                 D
below  60           F

Dates for posts

Aug 31
Sept 7,14, 21,28
Oct 5,12,19, 26
Nov 2, 9,16, 23, 30

Dec 7 FINAL Essays and/or creative artifact