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| Nam June Paik, TV Buddha, 1974 |
Instructor: Professor Joseph DeLappe
T/Th 4:00-5:15pm in CFA 207
Office: CFA 158
Office Hours: T/Th 11:00am to 12:30pm
Email: delappe@unr.edu
346
New Media Art in Context
Survey
of the history and contemporary practice of new media art, including emphasis
on individual artists and their work. Prerequisite: At least one 200 level
Studio or Art History course.
Course Goals and
Objectives:
The
goals for this course are to provide a comprehensive survey of contemporary and
historical theory and practice relevant to emerging new media arts
practice. Students will take part in a
participatory exploration and broad examination of the implications and effects
of new technologies on visual arts activities, including a broad focus on media
theory/practice.
There
are two primary objectives for this course. The first is to prepare our Digital
Media majors and minors to address their studio art practice from a historically
and theoretically informed position. One cannot create art in a vacuum. The second
objective is to expose our students to the diversity of professional visual
arts practice and ideas represented under the broad rubric of “new media” art. The intent is to inspire our students towards
the creative utilization and understanding of the context for the new tools
available to visual artists in the digital age.
Presenting a cohesive survey of new and historical developments in the
field will be invaluable towards preparing our students to effectively address
their own new media arts practice.
To
accomplish this students will be engaged in a deep level of research towards
discovering and sharing with their fellow students information regarding
artists, movements and trends both historical and contemporary as related to
new media arts practices.
Course Content:
In
this course we will explore the many varied possibilities, practices and ideas
engaged thru new media based practices. These may include but not be limited
to: digital imaging, interactive art, robotics, digital fabrication, animation,
game art/art games, augmented reality, art/science collaborations, digital
activism/art, open sourcery, virtual reality, internet art, etc…
Course Structure:
This
is a creative course seeking to explore the many varied possibilities of new
media based practices. We will do so in an experimental fashion that reflects
the artistic practices and ideas that we are investigating. Each week will be
divided in two parts. Tuesday’s class will involve discussing course readings,
presentations by the Professor of relevant artworks, artists and themes related
to the expansive field of new media based practices. Thursday’s classes will be
entirely devoted to ongoing student presentations of their individual and group
research focused primary upon new media based artists. The class is designed to
encourage full-participation in all aspects of research, presentation and
discussion of new media based practices.
Student Learning
Outcomes:
•Upon
successful completion of the course, will be able to demonstrate advanced
competencies in the critical knowledge and analysis of the context and history
of new media media based creative practices.
•Students will be able to articulate the timeline in the history
of New Media Art.
•Students will be able to identify experimental artists and
practitioners in the field of New Media Art.
•Students will be able to deconstruct and analyze patterns and
style in the history and contexts of New Media Art.
•Students will be able to articulate the evolution of
the development of New Media based art forms and its relationship to larger
social and political contexts.
•Students will demonstrate a proficiency in discussion, presentation,
analysis and writing about New Media based art while engaging in intermediate
best practices for basic website/blog development.
Assignments and Grading
Criteria:
The
assignments for this course will involve specific reading assignments, from
required texts, xeroxed articles and online sources. Readings and research will
be tailored to the subject matter of material to be covered in the course.
Specific writing assignments will be tailored towards the weekly student
presentations (these will be presented to the class and featured individually
on student blogs). Students will also be
required to write two critical reviews of new media art: one of these will be from the direct
experience of new media art in a local or regional exhibition (Sheppard Fine
Arts Gallery, Nevada Museum of Art, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, etc.);
the second review is to be of a specific art video or online art project.
-Every aspect of this course will involve a careful series of
activities requiring reading, open dialogue, participation, careful observation
and research into the history and context of contemporary and historical
science fiction films.
-Attendance and participation is mandatory in order to
successfully complete this course. More
than two absences will affect your final grade (each absence after the first
two will lower your grade by one grade).
-Students will be assessed as to how well they participate in the
class and by the successful completion of writing assignments and individual
and group presentations.
- Required
Outside Lectures: Each student is required to attend two approved
lectures and two outside
exhibition/performance/film-screening, these are regularly announced in class.
I will provide you with a list of approved events both on campus and off. You
are required to write a one page critical summary of each event and two
questions to ask the speaker (extra credit will be given to those who actually
ask their question at the event!).
Required Texts:
I will
provide you with specific Xeroxed articles for discussion. Students will be as
well actively involved in suggesting and selecting readings for the course.
Grading Rubric
•60% Student and Group Research
Presentiations - 600 pts
•20% Participation in readings and
group discussions/attendance. - 200 pts (15 weeks x 10
pts per week+ 50pts engagement)
•20% Written lecture and exhibition
reviews. - 200 pts (4 reviews x 25 pts ea)
Total points: 1000
A = 1000-900
B = 899-800
C = 799-700
D = 699-600
F = 599-000
The “+” and “-“ system will be
used for
grading. http://www.unr.edu/provost/curriculum-central/curricula-forms-and-guidelines/syllabus-guidelines/nshe-grading-policy
Policy on Attendance
Absences
There
are no official absences from any university class. It is the personal
responsibility of the student to consult with the professor regarding absence
from class. In the event that a student misses a class because of an official
university function or event or because of serious personal considerations, the
Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life Services may, at its
discretion, send an explanation to the instructor involved or to the faculty in
general. The instructor shall make the final determination on whether the
missed work can be done at a time other than during the regularly scheduled
class period.
Religious
Holy Days: It is the policy of NSHE to be sensitive to the religious
obligations of its students. Any student missing classes, quizzes, examinations
or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holy days
will, whenever possible, be given an opportunity during that semester to make
up the missed work. The make-up work will apply to the religious holy day
absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the
instructor in advance in writing, if the student intends to participate in a
religious holy day which does not fall on state holidays or periods of class
recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the
assignment at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the
instructor or the institution which could not reasonably have been avoided.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
"Cheating, plagiarism or
otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses" constitute academic
dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty will
not be tolerated and penalties can include cancelling a student's enrollment
without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the assignment.
For more
details, see the University General Catalog.
Policy on Disability:
If you have a disability and will
be requiring assistance, please contact me or the Disability Resource Center
(Thompson Building Suite 100) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate
accommodations.
Academic Success
Services:
Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center
(784-4433 or www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or
www.unr.edu/tutoring/), and University Writing Center (784-6030 or
http://www.unr.edu/writing_center/. These centers support your classroom
learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services. Keep
in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and
successful student.
Statement on Audio and Video
Recording:
“Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording
of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be
videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the
instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students
may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore,
students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.”
