ISSUES in Expanded Arts
Instructor: Dan Collins, MFA, PhD
Course numbers: ARA 330 (SLN# 68940)
Class meetings: This is an iCourse with no required scheduled meetings.
Fall 2025
Location: online
Credits: 3 hours
Office Hours: By appointment.
email: dan.collins@asu.edu
Expanded Arts Area / School of Art / Arizona State University
ZOOM: https://asu.zoom.us/j/8302473691
GOOGLE SITE: https://sites.google.com/view/issues-in-intermedia/home
CANVAS: https://asu.instructure.com/courses/233738
Enrollment requirements
Prerequisite(s): ART 216 or minimum 45 hours
Course Objectives
Present a survey of recent theory and practice in Expanded and Intermedia arts.
Broaden students' understanding of non-traditional media, performance, installation, computer art, video, social practice, webart, interactivity, AI, etc. and their relationship to contemporary society and discourse.
Provide a common historical and theoretical framework for students majoring in the Expanded Arts area.
Learning Outcomes
understand the historical context, major artworks, artists, supporting documents, and literature of “expanded arts” practice.
produce original research based on required and related readings and in-class discussion.
gain confidence in discussing the key issues concerning expanded arts practice in ways that are both articulate and persuasive.
develop a set of research methodologies and approaches to critical discourse that will serve them in other areas of research.
Description
This course is designed as a critical survey of recent theory and practice in "Expanded Arts." Created specifically to provide a common historical and theoretical framework for students majoring in the Expanded Arts area, the course will also be of interest to anyone seeking to broaden their understanding of non-traditional media, performance, installation, computer art, video, social practice, web art, interactivity, AI, etc. and their relationship to contemporary society and discourse.
Texts
You needn’t purchase any books. Nevertheless, we will be doing lots of reading, surfing, info gathering, sharing of favorite texts, images, videos, etc. Weekly readings from online sources will be provided.
Course Requirements
During the semester, each student will produce two short essays (3- 5 pages), oral presentations, or projects (with instructor's approval) that address issues and/or artists discussed in class or that respond to current exhibitions or symposia. In addition, a final research paper (10 pages min.) and/or equivalent project will focus upon a "question"-- philosophical, aesthetic, political, etc.-- formulated by the student during the course of the semester. This question should clearly target some particular aspect of 20th/21st century art for the purposes of in-depth analysis. Preferably, this analysis would have some bearing on the student's creative work. Final questions are due at the latest by October 6th and must be approved by the instructor.
Additionally, using the Discussion Board feature in Canvas, you are required to submit two leading questions based on the reading each week. Also, you are to comment on at least two of your colleagues' questions. In other words, you will make a minimum of four postings to the Discussion Board each week--at least 2 of your own original questions and 2 comments. They will be reviewed/recorded weekly by Collins (don’t fall behind) and provide the basis for on-line discussion.
Grading
Your grade will be determined as follows: Readings/Discussion 10%; Quizzes 10%; 2 short essays or projects 30%; Your pages on the class website 10%; and your Final paper or project 40%.
Dates to remember (Subject to change). See Reading List for weekly reading assignments.
Fall 2025 (tentative calendar)
August 18 (Monday) Deadline for enrollment
August 22 First meeting (Friday) will be "live" via Zoom as an orientation and introduction.
August 29
September 5 Proposals for First Paper/Project Due
September 12
September 19 First paper/project due
September 26
October 3 Proposals for Second Paper/Project AND Final Paper Due
October 10
October 17
October 24 Second paper/project due
October 31
November 7 Outline of Final Project Due
November 21
November 27 - 28 THANKSGIVING RECESS
December 5 Last Day to submit Final Project.
Note: In order to receive the most from this class, it is imperative that you keep up with the reading. Much of the literature is rather dense and slow going. It is hoped that the spirit and the letter of the texts will become clear to you through a combination of careful study on your own and open discussion in class (this may mean reading with a dictionary by your side and taking notes--asking questions!--as you go.)
Attendance Policy
As this is an online class, I won't be "taking roll." However, there is an expectation that you will be "present" as demonstrated through your engagement of the materials and and participation in online discussion and meeting project deadlines.
Students required to miss deadlines due to university sanctioned activities will not be penalized. However, all students are expected to keep up with the pace of the class. Students should inform the instructor early in the semester of upcoming absences. Reasonable accommodation to adjust deadlines will be made. Consult the instructor BEFORE the absence to arrange for this accommodation.
Students may be excused for the observance of religious holidays. Students should notify the instructor at the beginning of the semester about the need to adjust deadlines due to religious observances. Students will be responsible for materials covered during their absence and should consult with the instructor to arrange reasonable accommodation for missed exams or other required assignments.
Line-of-duty absence and missed assignment policy
A student who is a member of the National Guard, Reserve, or other U.S. Armed Forces branch who misses classes, assignments or examinations due to line-of-duty responsibilities, shall have the opportunity to make up the coursework in accordance with SSM 20-18 Accommodating Active Duty Military Personnel. This accommodation also applies to spouses who are the guardian of minor children during line-of -duty activities. This policy does not excuse students from course responsibilities during their absence. Students should first notify the Pat Tillman Veterans Center of their activation and then the instructor to discuss options.
Academic Integrity and Student Honor Code
Besides academic performance, students should exhibit the qualities of honesty and integrity. Every student is expected to produce his/her/their original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the ASU Academic Misconduct Policy including cheating, plagiarism, and dishonesty will be sanctioned. All necessary and appropriate sanctions will be issued to all parties involved with plagiarizing any and all course work. Plagiarism and any other form of academic dishonesty that is in violation with the Student Code of Conduct will not be tolerated. Arizona State University and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts expect the highest standards of academic integrity from all students. Failure to meet these standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the university or other sanctions as specified in the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy (http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity), “[e]ach student must act with honesty and integrity, and must respect the rights of others in carrying out all academic assignments.” This policy also defines academic dishonesty and sets a process for faculty members and college that is subject to disciplinary action. Plagiarism is defined as deliberately passing off someone else’s work as one's own. Violations of this policy fall into five broad areas that include but are not limited to:
Cheating on an academic evaluation or assignments
Plagiarizing
Academic deceit, such as fabricating data or information
Aiding Academic Integrity Policy violations and inappropriately collaborating
Falsifying academic records
I sanction any incidents of academic dishonesty in my courses using University and HIDA guidelines. Should you have any question about whether or not something falls subject to this clause, feel free to contact me or review the university policy on academic integrity at the above link. Per ASU policy, a student may not avoid the consequences of academic dishonesty by withdrawing from a course, and may be placed back in the course in order to face sanctions resulting from academic integrity violations. You are responsible for abiding by this policy.
All use of non-original materials is discouraged. However, if non-original material is used, you are responsible for the proper citation and legal usage of the resource. Violations are punishable by assignment failure, class failure (E), or failure due to academic dishonesty (XE) depending on the severity of the infraction. Your instructor will sanction any incidents of academic dishonesty in the course using University and HIDA guidelines. Should you have any question about whether or not something falls subject to this clause, feel free to contact your instructor or review the university policy on academic integrity at the above link.
Copyright
Students must refrain from uploading to any course shell, discussion board, or website used by the course instructor or other course forum, material that is not the student's original work, unless the students first comply with all applicable copyright laws; faculty members reserve the right to delete materials on the grounds of suspected copyright infringement. A statement that the course content, including lectures and other handouts, is copyrighted material. Students may not share outside the class, upload, sell, or distribute course content or notes taken during the conduct of the course (see ACD 304–06, “Commercial Note Taking Services” for more information). THIS CONTENT IS PROTECTED AND MAY NOT BE SHARED, UPLOADED, SOLD, OR DISTRIBUTED.
Student Conduct
ASU adheres to a university-wide Student Code of Conduct. The philosophy behind this policy states: The aim of education is the intellectual, personal, social, and ethical development of the individual. The educational process is ideally conducted in an environment that encourages reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness to constructive change and respect for the rights of all individuals. Self-discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the university community are necessary for the fulfillment of such goals. The Student Code of Conduct is designed to promote this environment at each of the state universities. You are expected to treat your instructor and your fellow classmates with respect and kindness. In all correspondence and in Discussion Board postings, you should show respect for the viewpoints of others who may disagree with you or see things from a different perspective. Criticizing, ridiculing, insulting, or belittling others will not be accepted. Keep in mind that electronic communications do not have the advantage of nonverbal cues that are so much a part of interpersonal communication. Humor or satire can sometimes be misinterpreted in strictly electronic communication forums.
Threatening or disruptive behavior
Self-discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the classroom or studio and university community are necessary for a conducive learning and teaching environment. Threatening or violent behavior will result in the administrative withdrawal of the student from the class. Disruptive behavior may result in the removal of the student from the class. Threatening, violent, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated in this class, and will be handled in accordance with ASU policy (SSM 104-02). For more information please visit: https://eoss.asu.edu/dos/srr/PoliciesAndProcedures and https://eoss.asu.edu/dos/safety/ThreateningBehavior
Withdrawal
If you are unable to complete the course, it is your responsibility to arrange for withdrawal from the class. You will not be automatically withdrawn and unless you are officially withdrawn from the course you will receive a final grade based upon the total points you have earned for the semester. Students are required to pay all tuition and fees for any registered course unless enrollment is officially cancelled during the 100% refund period. Please visit the Academic Calendar to review the withdrawal deadlines for this semester. For more information on Drop/Add and Withdrawal visit: https://students.asu.edu/drop-add
Special Accommodations
Your instructor is willing to make any reasonable adaptations for limitations due to any disability documented with ASU's disability resource services (aka SAILS), including learning disabilities. Please contact the instructor during office hours or by appointment to discuss any special needs you may have. You must contact SAILS to process the paperwork for special course accommodations. To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact SAILS; Phone: (480) 965-1234; TDD: (480) 965-9000). This is a very important step as accommodations may be difficult to make retroactively. If you have a letter from their office indicating that you have a disability that requires academic accommodations, in order to assure that you receive your accommodations in a timely manner, please present this documentation to me as soon as possible so that your needs can be addressed effectively. Prior to receiving disability accommodations, verification of eligibility from SAILS is needed. Services include advisement, registration, financial aid, disability services, counseling, tutoring, library, and more. There are offices on all four ASU campuses:
You can contact any Student Accessibility office with the following information:
Phone: 480-965-1234
FAX: 480-965-0441
Email: Student.Accessibility@asu.edu
Non-emergency Student of Concern process
Attempts will be made by the instructor to connect students of concern with proper resources on campus.
Policy on Sexual Discrimination
Policy on sexual discrimination as described in ACD 401, "Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation", including the fact that the instructor is a mandated reporter and therefore obligated to report any information regarding alleged acts of sexual discrimination. Arizona State University is committed to providing an environment free of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for the entire university community, including all students, faculty members, staff employees, and guests. ASU expressly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by employees, students, contractors, or agents of the university based on any protected status: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and genetic information. As an employee of ASU, I am a mandated reporter and obligated to report instances of reported or suspected incidences of sexual harassment.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Students must abide by all the requirements stated in this syllabus. In addition, all students should be aware of their Rights and Responsibilities at Arizona State University and abide by the ASU Student Honor Code
Student Services & Resources
You will find a list of student resources at:
https://eoss.asu.edu/resources
https://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar
Computer, Internet, and Electronic Communications Policy
http://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd125.html
FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911.
(Be prepared with the physical address of the location.)
Potentially Offensive Course Material
Some course content may be deemed offensive. Reasonable advance warning will be made of potentially offensive material by the instructor; it is the student’s responsibility to distance himself/herself/theirself from the class during those classes/lectures/field trips in which potentially offensive content is shared. Generally, there will be nothing that exceeds the standards of any PG13 movie; however, there are instances in our discussions focused on performance and body art that involve nudity, bodily fluids, and behavior that in certain societies would be considered taboo.
Intellectual Property Rights
The course content, including lectures and other handouts, is copyrighted material. Students may not record lectures or sell notes taken during the course.
Disclaimer
The information in this syllabus, other than grade and absence policies, may be subject to change with reasonable advance notice.