Basic Art

Howland High School

Art Department

Syllabus

Mr. Jerry Young

gerald.young@howlandschools.org

Room # 025

Course Description

Basic Art is a prerequisite to all mid and upper division fine art courses at Howland High School. Students will gain experience working with several types of media and subject matter. Students will also reinforce an understanding of the elements and principles of art and design while learning how to create, critique, evaluate, and appreciate works of art. Students will explore and discuss their own aesthetic views about art. Art history will be infused throughout the course.

Projects

Course work will include a variety of basic art elements, principles, media, and subject matter. Each project will begin with a short inclusion of art history (artist, style, movement), material exploration and experimentation. Appropriate skills and techniques will be taught with each new medium through various in-class demonstrations and exercises. These techniques, along with good compositional skills, will be utilized in the execution of studio projects.

Grading

A rubric with a point system is used in class to determine a grade for completed assignments. Most projects will be worth 100 points to coincide with the Howland High School grading scale. Time and effort, participation, quality work, respect of the materials and other people as well as completion of the assignments is considered when finalizing a grade for each project. Time out of class (tardy or absent) can affect the overall participation grade for the assigned project. Time in the studio is essential for learning, experiencing and working in a creative environment.

There will also be miscellaneous assignments (questionnaires, worksheets, quizzes, etc.) which shall be factored into the grade. Daily participation will be recorded and demonstrate an important part of the nine week grade. Keeping track of artwork and putting materials and work away is part of the participation grade.

Attendance/Punctuality

Each class session begins with a discussion and/or demonstration that provide the focus for the day. It is important that all students are on time for this. Because this is a hands-on studio class, daily attendance is paramount. I will adhere strictly to the school’s policies for tardiness and skipping and determine that both produce lack of participation which affects course work grading.

If a student is absent or misses a class session, it is their responsibility to obtain any important missed assignments or information.

Required Materials

It is mandatory for each student to bring a pencil and a composition notebook (no spiral bound) with them to class. Some notes, instruction, history and assignments will be given for students to write down. This information as well as handouts and rubrics should be kept in a designated art folder.

Some media damages clothing and this can be prevented by using an over shirt, apron, or by wearing clothing appropriate for the studio. A notice will be given when such materials will be used in advance, and it is up to the student to be prepared.

Classroom Policy

1. Come into the art room ready to work and learn.

2. Each student has the right to a safe and productive learning environment.

3. No food or drink permitted in the art room.

4. Take care of and conserve all materials used for each project.

5. Do not talk when someone is speaking (announcements, teacher, student discussion)

6. Projects and materials must be put away and studio areas cleaned daily.

7. All school rules will be followed.