Art 412 Conceptual Information Arts: Introduction to Art and Technology

 FA 538   Tu/Th  2-5    Fall 10
Professor Stephen Wilson
Fine Arts Annex 539, 338-2291, email: swilson@sfsu.edu  http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~swilson
Office hours  Tu 12-2 (best to confirm)        Lab Fee: $30 (see details below)
Class web page:  http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.main.html
Class Wiki page -  http://art412f10.wikispaces.com/   (note you will need to join the wiki)
More information about Conceptual Information Arts (CIA) Program (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/)
CIA Blog - events in bay area   (http://cia-news.blogspot.com/)

Texts

Course Description and Prerequesites

An introduction to artistic explorations of emerging media.  Instruction in use of the computers for artists covering graphics, sound, interactive programming. Use of computers in cross media and non-media specific applications.

Prerequisites: Co-enrollment in Art 410  

Class Web Sites

Class Web Site (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.main.html)
Course Objectives (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.objectives.html)
List of Topics (Technical, Art/cultural, Use of Director) http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.listoftopics.html)
Course Tentative Schedule  (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.schedule.html)
Class Wiki -  http://art412f10.wikispaces.com/  (for posting tech artist reports, proposals)
Self Evaluation Guidelines - http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/selfevaluation.html
CIA blog - postings of events, jobs, internships call for art, conferences, etc  http://cia-news.blogspot.com/

Course Objectives, Requirements, Attendance and Grading

Objectives

Art 412 has a trio of foci:  1. How are the arts responding to science and technology? 2. What new trends are emerging in science and technology? 3. What socio-cultural issues demand attention? Students learn hands-on and analytical skills.   Details available on this page:
Course Objectives (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.objectives.html)

Course Requirements/ Attendance

(**Note**  In CIA classes, as much is learned from study and critical reflection on other's work  as is learned from completion of one's own work.  This course places highest priority  on being present at class presentations of student work. Unexcused absence will not be accepted.  Even if you have not finished an assignment, you must attend so you can see others' work.  There is no way to make up the critique and analysis of seeing student work.)

 Grading

Grade will be based on class participation and the quality of lab exercises and projects.  Students will be expected to maintain a systematic portfolio of documentation.  A grade of A will require excellence in all regular work plus
1.  Specific extra project probing technologies introduced in class but not fully elaborated (subject to consultation with instructor)
2.  Attendance at 3 or more community events related to the topics of the course (with some documentation of personal reflections on the events).
3.  Reading at least one book related to topics of the course  (with some documentation of personal reflections on the book)

Since there are so few class meetings, unexcused absence is not allowed (see details below).  Late work will not be accepted except through special arrangements with the professor.

Lab Fee Charge Notification

The lab fee for this course is $30.  Lab fees are mandatory, as noted in the footnote described in the online course schedule – meaning you must pay the charge as condition of enrollment in this course.  If you remain enrolled in this course past Tuesday, September 21st (the add deadline), a charge for the above amount will appear in your University Account.  The Art Department Office will email a notification when your University Account has been charged.  Lab fee payments can be made at One-Stop Student Services (SSB 103) or the Bursar’s Office (ADM 155) after the charged appears on your student account.  To see if your account has been charged, check your financial statement on your MySFSU page.  Unpaid balances in the student university account can affect registration, graduation or other campus services.

Probation, Diabilities, Health & Safety

Acadmic Probation
If you are on academic probation, make an appointment as soon as possible to work out what you need to do to meet the terms of your probation.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accomodation
The Disability Programs andResource Center provides university academic support services and specialized assistance to students with disabilities. Stiudents with disabilities who need reasonable accommodatons are encouraged to contact the instructor.  The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC)  is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process.  The DPRC is located in the Student Service Building and can be reached by telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email (dprc@sfsu.edu).

Health and Saftey
Working with computers and electronic devices poses certain hazards to muscles, sight, posture.  Students need to be aware of these dangers and the precautions that can be taken.  Please consult the CIA safety guidelines.
CIA health and safety guide

Web Resources

Class Web Site (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.main.html)
Course Objectives (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.objectives.html)
List of Topics (Technical, Art/cultural, Use of Director) http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.listoftopics.html) http://userwww.sfsu.edu/%7Einfoarts/cdmain/a412/assignment/
Course Tentative Schedule  (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/cdmain/a412/a412.schedule.html)
Class Wiki  -  (http://art412sf10.wikispaces.com//)
Links to artists working with technology - http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts/links/wilson.artlinks2.html

Art 412 Assignments