AVT 605 Issues and Research in Art Education
Fall Semester 2015
George Mason University, School of Art
Mondays 4:30-7:10
Art and Design Building Room 2001
Professor: Dr. Kimberly SheridanOffice: West Building, Room 2204
E-mail: ; phone 703-993 -9181
Course Description:
This course is intended to give prospective art teachers an overview of the history of the field of art education, contemporary issues that have developed out of that history, and a sense of the importance of research in helping us to determine where we have been, where we are going, and what it all may mean. Through readings, class discussions, school observations, and hands-on experiences, students will examine the theoretical foundations from which current practices in the field are informed, maintained, reacted against, or abandoned. The course also explores ways that teachers may use research-oriented questions and data to explore issues and research in the classroom to improve teaching and learning.
Course Objectives:
· To explore the history of American art education philosophies, practices, and perspectives through readings, discussions, and by experiencing hands-on teaching strategies taken from pivotal moments in that history;
· To critically examine and relate the histories of art education to contemporary issues and practices;
· To explore theoretical and practical tools to maneuver among an array of methods, approaches, and strategies that support the art and science of high quality visual art instruction;
· To explore ways that teachers may use research-oriented questions to explore issues and research in the classroom and beyond in order to improve teaching and learning;
· To learn about and engage in research activities such as field observation, interviewing, and qualitative data analysis in art learning and teaching settings.
Course Requirements:
1. Class Presentations/Participation: 10%
Active participation in classroom activities and discussions is a course requirement. Class participation is evaluated daily. Therefore, excessive absences and highly inconsistent participation will impact class participation grades negatively. Quality participation includes consistent attendance, obvious preparation for class, asking pertinent questions and offering relevant comments, taking notes, actively engaging in classroom discussions and other activities, working constructively in large and small groups and submitting assignments on time.
2. Teaching Activities: 10%
Each student will have the opportunity to work with a group of 2-4 of their peers to design a studio activity and facilitate a class discussion related to course readings/topic that day.
Students will submit electronically a proposal for their activity to Dr. Sheridan no later than the Wednesday the week before they are scheduled to present.
3. Studio Activities: 15%
“Marking and Mapping the Heritage of Art Education” plus other studio assignments. For your mapping project, please photograph digitally your weekly progress on the map and submit a pdf with your progress, the final version and an artist statement about the piece.
4. Reading Abstracts: 15%
A 150 word abstract is required for each class reading, completed for the class session in which the reading is discussed. Please upload these abstracts to Bb in journal section AND keep print-out in your course notebook for class discussion reference. This type of summary writing is an invaluable skill in learning to condense major ideas and create synthesis.
5. Research Activities: 25%
Throughout the course, there will be small-scale data collection/analysis assignments such as interviewing a child about their art-making and observing a studio art class. Your grade will be based on your completing and documenting these activities thoughtfully and bringing the materials to discuss your findings on time. All research documentation should be stored in your binder and brought to class each week.
6. Final Reflection Paper: 25%
The final paper for this course involves reflecting on and synthesizing the readings, classroom discussions, studio, teaching, and research activities of the course to create with a personalized view of issues in contemporary art education. More specific guidelines will be discussed later in the course.
Required Texts, Readings and Materials:
Texts and Readings:
· Stankiewicz, M.A. (2001) Roots of Art Education Practice. Davis Publications.
· Hetland, L., Winner, E., Veenema, S. & Sheridan, K.M. (2013). Studio thinking 2: The real benefits of visual arts education, (2nd ed). New York: Teachers College Press.
· Other assigned readings will be obtained through GMU’s on-line system or provided in class.
Materials:
In addition to a three-ring binder notebook, you will be requested to purchase some inexpensive materials and bring some materials from home. Please have your materials and texts in class daily.
1. 1 sheet of watercolor paper, about 12 X 18, at least 140 lb
2. Black Sharpie Pen (fine point)
3. Derwent Inktense Pencils—set of six (or other water color pencils)
4. Niji Waterbrush or watercolor brush
5. Optional: Five Star “Stand ‘N Store” Pencil Pouch
Important Student Responsibilities & Course Policies
1. Attendance: As the course involves writing, discussions, and media presentations, regular and timely attendance is required. All absences require an email to the instructor explaining the reason for the absence, prior to the class meeting. In order for an absence to be excused, a student must provide appropriate documentation (i.e., a medical excuse from your doctor) and/or have the instructor’s approval (i.e., family emergencies, funerals.) A student’s final course grade will be reduced by half a letter grade for each unexcused absence that occurs after one excused or unexcused absence. A student can fail this course due to poor attendance. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with the course instructor to discuss extended periods of absence due to medical problems. Three (3) incidents of unexcused tardiness and/or leaving class early equal one unexcused absence.
2. Guidelines for Class Discussions: Students are expected to use appropriate terms and language within all course discussion. Beliefs and worldviews divergent from yours may be shared, and respect for those differences is to be maintained within the classroom. Respect the opinions of others as you would have them respect yours.
3. Email and Blackboard: Email is used as a means of communicating with students about the course. Email is sent to your GMU email account. It is the student’s responsibility to forward emails to an account that he/she checks regularly. In addition, Blackboard will be used to post information for this course.
4. Late Assignments: Assignment grades are reduced by 1/2 the points or letter grade for every weekday an assignment has not been handed in after the assigned due date. Late assignments can be handed in at the beginning of class on scheduled class days, during office hours, or in the instructor’s mailbox with e-mail notification to the professor.
5. Returning Graded Assignments: Papers will be returned within two weeks after the instructor receives papers. Papers are typically returned during regular scheduled classes. The final paper can be picked up by students in the SOA office.
6. Graduate Academic Standards, Grades: University course work is measured in terms of quantity and quality. A credit normally represents one hour per week of lecture or recitation, or not fewer than two hours per week of laboratory work, throughout a semester. The number of credits is a measure of quantity. The grade is a measure of quality. The university-wide system for grading graduate courses is as follows:
Grade / Quality Points / Graduate CoursesA+ / 4.00 / Satisfactory/Passing
A / 4.00 / Satisfactory/Passing
A- / 3.67 / Satisfactory/Passing
B+ / 3.33 / Satisfactory/Passing
B / 3.00 / Satisfactory/Passing
B- / 2.67 / Satisfactory*/Passing
C / 2.00 / Unsatisfactory/Passing
F / 0.00 / Unsatisfactory/Failing
· Although a B- is a satisfactory grade for a course, students must maintain a 3.00 average in their degree program and present a 3.00 GPA on the courses listed on the graduation application.
University and School of Art Policies
In accordance with George Mason University policy, turn off all cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices at the start of class. The instructor of the class will keep his/her cell phone active to assure receipt of any Mason Alerts in a timely fashion; or in the event that the instructor does not have a cell phone, he/she will designate one student to keep a cell phone active to receive such alerts.
Commitment to Diversity
This class will be conducted as an intentionally inclusive community that celebrates diversity and welcomes the participation in the life of the university of faculty, staff and students who reflect the diversity of our plural society. All may feel free to speak and to be heard without fear that the content of the opinions they express will bias the evaluation of their academic performance or hinder their opportunities for participation in class activities. In turn, all are expected to be respectful of each other without regard to race, class, linguistic background, religion, political beliefs, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, veteran’s status, or physical ability.
Statement on Ethics in Teaching and Practicing Art and Design
As professionals responsible for the education of undergraduate and graduate art and design students, the faculty of the School of Art adheres to the ethical standards and practices incorporated in the professional Code of Ethics of our national accreditation organization, The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Open Studio Hours
SOA teaching studios are open to students for extended periods of time mornings, evenings and weekends whenever classes are not in progress. Policies, procedures and schedules for studio use are established by the SOA studio faculty and are posted outside the studios.
School of Art Print Studio
School of Art Print Studio (SOAP) is located in the School of Art Building on the Fairfax Campus. As a non-profit studio, SOAP offers a variety of services including printing and production services to students, faculty and staff. All jobs are processed with high quality materials on state-of-the-art equipment, specifically for graphic design portfolios, mixed-media paintings and reproductions, posters, handmade books, student assignments and proof sheets. More information can be found at soaprint.gmu.edu or 703-993-7203.
ArtsBus Dates and Credit
Fall 2015
September 26th
October 24th
November 21st
Each student must have up to 5 AVT 300/Artsbus credits before graduation. For credit to appear on your transcript you must enroll in AVT 300. This also applies to anyone who intends to travel to New York independently, or do the DC Alternate Assignment.
If you plan/need to go on multiple ArtsBus trips during a semester and need them towards your total requirement, you must enroll in multiple sections of AVT 300. Please go to the ArtsBus website: http://artsbus.gmu.edu "Student Information" for additional, very important information regarding ArtsBus policy.
Non-AVT majors taking art classes do not need Artsbus credit BUT may need to go on the Artsbus for a class assignment. You can either sign up for AVT 300 or buy a ticket for the bus trip at the Center of the Arts. Alternate trips must be approved by the instructor of the course that is requiring an ArtsBus trip.
Visual Voices Lecture Series Fall 2015
Visual Voices is a year-long series of lectures by artists, art historians and others about contemporary art and art practice. Visual Voices lectures are held on Thursday evenings from 7:20- 9:00 p.m. in Harris Theater.
September 3rd Jon Rubin “Art in Public Life”
September 10th Helen Zughaib “Arab Song – Arab Spring”
September 24th Catherine Kehoe “It’s Not What You Think”
October 1st SOA Grads “Loading Content”
October 8th Steve Badanes + Linda Beaumont “Speak of the Devil”
Important Deadlines
Last Day to Add - Tuesday, September 8
Last Day to Drop (No Tuition Penalty) - Tuesday, September 8
Final Drop (67% Tuition Penalty) – October 2
Selective Withdrawal Period – October 5 - October 23
Incomplete work from Spring/Summer 2015 due to instructor - October 30
Once the add and drop deadlines have passed, instructors do not have the authority to approve requests from students to add or drop/withdraw late. Requests for late adds (up until the last day of classes) must be made by the student in the SOA office (or the office of the department offering the course), and generally are only approved in the case of a documented university error (such as a problem with financial aid being processed) , LATE ADD fee will apply. Requests for non-selective withdrawals and retroactive adds (adds after the last day of classes) must be approved by the academic dean of the college in which the student’s major is located. For AVT majors, that is the CVPA Office of Academic Affairs, College Hall C211.
Students with Disabilities and Learning Differences
If you have a diagnosed disability or learning difference and you need academic accommodations, please inform me at the beginning of the semester and contact the Disabilities Resource Center (SUB I room 234, 703-993-2474). You must provide me with a faculty contact sheet from that office outlining the accommodations needed for your disability or learning difference. All academic accommodations must be arranged in advance through the DRC.
Official Communications via GMU E-Mail
Mason uses electronic mail to provide official information to students. Examples include communications from course instructors, notices from the library, notices about academic standing, financial aid information, class materials, assignments, questions, and instructor feedback. Students are responsible for the content of university communication sent to their Mason e-mail account, and are required to activate that account and check it regularly.
Attendance Policies
Students are expected to attend the class periods of the courses for which they register. In-class participation is important not only to the individual student, but also to the class as a whole. Class participation may be a factor in grading, therefore instructors may use absence, tardiness, or early departure as de facto evidence of nonparticipation. Students who miss an exam with an acceptable excuse may be penalized according to the individual instructor's grading policy, as stated in the course syllabus.
Honor Code
Students in this class are bound by the Honor Code, as stated in the George Mason University Catalog. The honor code requires that the work you do as an individual be the product of your own individual synthesis or integration of ideas. (This does not prohibit collaborative work when it is approved by your instructor.) As a faculty member, I have an obligation to refer the names of students who may have violated the Honor Code to the Student Honor Council, which treats such cases very seriously.