Student are evaluated based on individual efforts in the following areas:
Major Assessments (50%): Projects, written assignments including critiques, formal analyses of historical work of art and artist statements.
Project criteria generally include:
Creativity/originality
Willingness to explore materials and take artistic risks
Craftsmanship
Use of elements of art
Use of principles of design
Individual effort
Punctual submission of work
Minor Assessments (50%): sketchbooks/thumbnail sketches, classwork including visible progress on projects, homework.
Concept: Students are given a theme or concept for each project. How they interpret that project is up to each student individually. The purpose of this course is to teach students to think creatively and critically, and work will be evaluated based on the realization of the concept as well as execution of the project itself.
Progress Benchmarks: Progress on each project will be monitored through progress benchmark grades. These are deadlines by which students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant concepts and skills by completing a specified portion of the project and these benchmarks count as minor assessments. For example, on a graphic design project, visible progress deadlines might be scheduled for preliminary sketches, various stages of photo manipulations, use of specific tools, addition and manipulation of text, etc. Benchmark grades will not change after the deadline. Students would then get a major assessment grade for the project itself, the critique and any written assignments that go along with it. Progress benchmarks are designed to keep each student on task and achieving the learning goals of the course while completing the project to the best of his or her ability.
Visible progress grades are scored as follows:
A (100) = Student demonstrates understanding of concepts/skills gained and has met or exceeded progress benchmark
B (91) = Student demonstrates adequate understanding of concept/skills gains but minor adjustments of work is required to meet progress benchmark
C (82) = Student demonstrates some understanding of concept/skills to be gained, but requires up to half a class period of additional time to meet progress benchmark.
D (73) = Student has not demonstrated understanding of concept/skills to be gained and requires at least a full additional class period to meet progress benchmark.
F (64) = Student has not demonstrated understanding of concept/skills to be gained and required more than one additional class period to meet progress benchmark
F (0) = Student has not demonstrated an effort to understand concept or skills to be gained and has not attempted to meet progress benchmark
Homework: Homework is infrequent, but YES, there can be homework. Students may be asked to obtain reference images, do sketches, written critique or statements about their work, or written descriptions of the process used to create their work. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, students must take the initiative and arrange additional computer time with the instructor should they fall behind.
Written Assignments: Students are expected to complete written assignments punctually and completely. This includes following all of the rules of formal writing, proper grammar, spelling and punctuation, learned in English classes. All papers should be typed. If a student does not have access to a computer or printer home, the computer lab is open for students to work in the morning before school and after school Monday through Thursday.
Late Assignments: Major assessments will be penalized 10 points for each school day they are late. Minor assessments submitted late will be given half credit when submitted. No assignments will be accepted if they are more than five days late.