Shadowglen: Global Art Studies in Virtual Reality
Objective:
Shadowglen is an immersive interactive learning environment for global art studies where we explore a variety of creative themes as they have been expressed throughout the history of art. The two principle learning objectives in Shadowglen are to develop Metaliteracies critical for success in the 21st century. Students will develop the essential skills in media, visual, and contextual analysis. By examining works of art from diverse cultures and the relationships among these works, students develop an understanding of global artistic traditions. Students analyze works of art in their contexts, considering issues of patronage, gender, politics, religion, nationality and ethnicity. The interpretation of the works of art is based upon its intended use, audience, and the role of the artist and the work of art in its particular society. Students will expand their knowledge of history, geography, politics, religion, languages, and literature, as they explore the story of people as told through the art they created. As their final project students create curated multimedia exhibitions of discovered works relating to the themes studied. In this final exhibition they will have the choice to curate these themes from a diversity of perspectives or concentrate focus on artwork contributions by at least one significant people, movement or group, (or in some cases by individual artists) that express the studied themes.
Course Format:
Shadowglen is a gamified flipped e-learning curriculum. Students explore an immersive online virtual world that serves as the course text where they read (or watch) the linked OER resources for each module. Students must complete the readings and quizzes for each module BEFORE coming to the synchronous class discussions and review. The class meets online regularly, alternating between immersive Virtual Reality and a video conferencing platform to capitalize on the affordances provided by both media. Students participate in class discussions and present visual and written assignments created using the digital apps of the Google suite
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course
Course Objectives:
The primary objectives are to develop the principle skills deemed essential for 21st Century success, Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Analysis and Entrepreneurship.
The curriculum and content are structured around the big ideas and essential questions that frame explorations of the nature of art, art making, and our responses to art. Students will expand their vocabulary of art to encompass a greater worldview including the contributions made by non-western peoples in general
During this exploration students will develop necessary skills to logically compose a narrative in essay writing. Students will develop techniques to find and research quality resources and information in the library database and online. They will build a vocabulary of art and art analysis terms as they explore.
Supplies & Materials
Students must have a laptop computer (Mac, PC, or Chromebook) A mouse is optional however a three button mouse is encouraged. A trackpad is fine as long as users are comfortable with the trackpad functions for ‘Right Click’ and ‘Center Click’.
A free Kitely Virtual Worlds account.
A Google account
A free Screencast-o-matic or Camtasia account (or any screen recording program of your choice)
Assignments, projects and deadlines:
The fifteen weeks of the semester are broken down into 11 Modules (+ Onboarding week and Final Presentations). This is a flipped classroom. Students must come to class having read or watched the learning materials and submitted their Google quiz for each module. The quizzes are technically open book, but one must pass by 85% or better to get the essay questions emailed to them (along with the password to access the next module)
Shadowglen is a gamified curriculum. The text is self-exploratory, and one can customize their experience of the virtual world however they may choose. One must collect the notecards in each module in order to access the quiz at the end of each module. All modules are password protected and one cannot obtain the password without passing the preceding quiz. Do overs are allowed for each quiz until success is achieved. If you pass the quiz and turn in the follow-up essay or presentation assignment on time, you have reached a ‘save point’. Do-overs are allowed on any 3 essays or presentations prior to the final. Late submissions do not qualify for ‘the do-over’. Students will be assigned at least one collaborative assignment with a fellow classmate, however any and all presentations including the final may be completed collaboratively.
Each week students are expected to ‘collect’ and submit 3-5 images of discovered artworks and artifacts relevant to the theme(s) under discussion. These works will form a framework for their final exhibitions and should be a mix of artworks from within their local community (businesses, houses of worship, public buildings, street art, local galleries, museums and artists) as well as works discovered in museums and galleries around the world.
Students are strongly encouraged to join the private Shadowglen Facebook group. Each week one of the upcoming essay questions will be posted online to the group and students are encouraged to post their thoughts, perspectives, and analysis of the topics under discussion. This is an opportunity to develop broader perspectives and different points of view to incorporate into your essay submission.
All projects are to be completed by the student and for this specific course. Prior coursework will not be accepted.
An Overview of Weekly Topics and activities by Module
1. Introductions and Onboarding.
This welcome module focuses on familiarization of expected tech - Kitely, Google Platform, Presentation tools, and performance expectations. Principle learning links will outline the basic procedure of how to download and install the correct VR viewer and set up a Google account. Students will begin their exploration of Shadowglen and the Origins of Art module. ZOOM MEETING
Assessments: A short self-introduction presentation, A documented demonstration of VR Proficiency (snapshots or a screen recording of a customized avatar wearing their Shadowglen medallion)
2. Origins of Art I
This initial two week module focuses on the emergence of human identity and how that identity is expressed through the artifacts created. Students will familiarize themselves with the VR environment. Students will create a simple “artistic landscape” image with an accompanying explanation and personal narrative for class review. VR CLASS MEETING
3. Origins of Art II
Students continue to navigate the module.
Assessments: a Google docs multiple choice quiz accompanied by summative essay questions that target understanding of the themes covered.
4. Depicting the Divine
This module focuses on how societies have depicted the deity across cultures and explores the relationship between architecture and art and how they affect beliefs and expressions of faith.
Assessment: a Google docs multiple choice accompanied by summative essay questions, submit 1st segment of final project. ZOOM MEETING
5. The Written Word
This module focuses on the pictographic and calligraphic arts from Ancient Egypt, The Maya Civilization, the sacred art of Islam, the calligraphic arts of Asia, the Illustrated manuscripts of northern Europe and into the contemporary works of Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and Ed Ruscha
Assessment: a Google Docs multiple choice and a summative evaluation based on the creation of an artifact
6. Nature
This module focuses on the emergence of the landscape as a focal subject and it’s interpretation by different societies.
Assessment: a Google Docs multiple choice and a summative ‘compare and contrast’ analysis of two works from a predetermined list, submit 1st and 2nd segments of final project. VR CLASS MEETING
7. Renaissance(s)
This module explores three parallel flourishing cultural resurgences, the Ming, the Mughals and the Medici.
Assessment: a Google docs multiple choice accompanied by a summative two person collaborative essay.
8. Intersections and Convergences
This module explores how pre-colonial cultures have recorded their early interactions with other outside societies and the influences on the arts they produced. We will examine the Portuguese in Africa, the Dutch in Japan, the British in India, the Spanish in the Americas.
Assessment: a Google Docs multiple choice and a summative ‘compare and contrast’ analysis of two pairs of works from a predetermined list, submit 1st three segments of final exhibit. ZOOM MEETING
9. Technology and the Sciences
This module explores the intersections between technology and art. We will examine the development of porcelain as a global artform, the emergence of scientific illustration, the connection between optics and art, the artistic advances of the industrial revolution and ‘computer art’
Assessment: a Google docs multiple choice quiz and the creation of a curated mini exhibition around an assigned theme
10. The Body
This module will focus on depictions of the human form throughout history and across cultures. Study will revolve around Johan Joachim Winkleman’s 18th century History of Art in Antiquity, his misconceptions of the art of the ancient world, and its reverberating effect on western perceptions of beauty.
Assessment: a Google docs multiple choice accompanied by summative essay questions, submit 1st four segments of final assignment. VR CLASS MEETING
11. Imperialism and Manifest Destiny
This module focuses on how art functions as a tool of propaganda in the service of imperialism.
Assessment: a Google docs multiple choice accompanied by Summative essay questions.
12. Conflict and Resistance
This module focuses on the art of protest and resistance to authority.
Assessment: Students will research one particular artist or movement either from the curriculum or of their own choosing and submit a short monograph on the subject. INDIVIDUAL ZOOM or VR REVIEW OF FINAL PROJECT PROGRESS (Student choice) ALL DO-OVER ASSIGNMENTS DUE!!!
13. Conceptual Experiences
This module will cover the nature of conceptual and experiential art.
Assessment: a Google docs multiple choice accompanied by a final project development report, submit draft version of final project.
14. Final Project Development
This module will allow students to review and resubmit their lowest graded summative assignments. Students will continue to develop their final group projects.
15. Presentation Week
Final projects will be uploaded for peer review in the early part of the week and formally presented at the final class meeting. FINAL VR CLASS MEETING
Note:
The instructor reserves the right to adjust this schedule in any way that
serves the educational needs of the students enrolled in this course. The students will be advised in a timely* manner. – S.D.
* The definition of “timely” is left to the discretion of the instructor.
Evaluation/Grading:
Evaluation for the course will be based upon:
Numerical values will be assigned based on how well you fulfill EACH of the above criteria as relevant to the assignment.
90-100, Excellent A
80-89, Good B
70-79, Average C
60-69, Below Average D
Below 60, Failure F
You may gain considerable points for one criteria but lose for another. Try to hit ALL the criteria!! The overall grade for the assignment will be determined by the median of the aggregate criteria points.
Unauthorized late submissions will receive a half grade deduction and be disqualified from ‘Do-Over’. It’s always better to turn in SOMETHING, rather than nothing!
Curating Bonus Badges:
Discovered artworks submitted by the students for each class meeting will be evaluated by the class as regards how well they exemplify the theme(s). The top 4 as voted most successful by of the class will receive Curator Badges. Curator Badges can buy final grade points! 10 Badges at the end of the semester will buy 5 points or half a grade increase in your overall final grade for the class. Over 8 Badges will give you 4 points, over 6 Badges = 3 points, over 4 Badges = 2 points, over 2 Badges = 1 point.
The Instructor has the right to award discretionary badges as deemed appropriate.
Final Grading Percentages:
Multimedia Presentations 20%
Essay Questions 20%
Final Project 20%
Online Discussions (FB too) 15%
Class Attendance and Participation 15%
Module Quizzes (guaranteed 85%) 10%
(Badging Bonus = anywhere between 1 to 5 possible additional bonus GPA points)
All students are encouraged to keep track of their grades in order to verify that assignments are posted correctly and to keep track of their performance throughout the semester. Do-Over submissions that incorporate instructor feedback WILL receive a higher grade. All Do-Overs must be submitted by the second to last class meeting (Look at the Schedule!).
Tracking scores also helps raise awareness of the grade that the student will probably get at the end of the semester.
Grades will not be “curved.”
Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is compulsory for both classroom and any remote video conferencing meetings.
Late arrivals and/or early departures do not constitute complete attendance.
Students are expected to participate in class discussions
More than three unexcused absences for the semester will result in lowering the overall grade average by one letter grade. Subsequent unexcused absences will continue to lower the grade average.
No late work or project extension will be granted because of absences without prior agreement with the instructor.
Course requirements:
Class rules:
* Seriously tho’…don’t tell me about upcoming absences during class…email me, Please!