EMAC Fall 2008

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EMAC Syllabus Fall 2008

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EMAC
Fall 2008
Instructor: Patrick Wright 

pwright@mica.edu

TI: Joshua Haycraft

haycraftj@bhbitb.com

Wednesday 8:30-2

Bunting 340 

OBJECTIVE
Electronic Media and Culture (EMAC) is an introductory course that will build a multimedia foundation for student arts by using the computer as the main creative vehicle.  Software used to author and edit imagery, HTML, graphics, text, video and sound will be covered.  EMAC will also explore ways in which artists use electronic media and how both electronic and digital tools change what is considered ‘art.’

COURSE MATERIALS
•    ext. hard drive
•    Suggested Textbook: Adobe Photoshop CS2 On Demand  by Anderson, et al.

IMPORTANT RULE OF THE CLASS: Attendance at all classes is mandatory. You must be on time. This includes coming back from breaks on time.

ABSENCE AND LATENESS POLICY:
a. Coming to class late twice is equivalent to one absence.
b. Failure to bring in required materials twice is equivalent to one absence.
c. You must stay for the whole class period to be considered present.
d. All missed work must be made up.
e. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to catch up on missed work and find out what to bring to next class.
f. Two late assignments will result in the final grade being lowered one letter.
GRADING STANDARDS: (Please refer to MICA handbook)
•    A-Outstanding. The work exceeds basic class requirements and demonstrates a mastery of subject matter. AND, the work is filled with Passion, Passion, and Passion!
•    B-Very Good. The work satisfies all class requirements and masters the material in an above average way.
•    C-Average. The work fulfills the class requirements and shows an average understanding of the subject matter.
•    D-Poor. Work minimally fills the class requirements and demonstrates poor grasp of subject matter.
•    F-Failure to complete class requirements.
•    I-Incomplete, only granted in the case of a medical or personal emergency. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Patrick Wright and Cheryl R. Garner, Associate Dean for Student Development, (410) 225-2422, cgarner@mica.edu, in such an event.

ADA COMPLIANCE:  In MICA’s efforts to provide the highest possible quality   
educational experience for every student, MICA maintains compliance with the requirements of the ADA and Section 504. Any student who has, or suspects he or she may have, a disability and wants to request academic accommodations must contact Dr. Kathryn Smith the MICA Learning Resource Center, 443.695.1384, or e-mail ksmith@mica.edu immediately.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:  MICA has developed policies and practices to ensure a healthful environment and safe approaches to the use of equipment, materials, and processes. It is the mutual responsibility of faculty and students to review health and safety standards relevant to each class at the beginning of each semester. Students should be aware of general fire, health, and safety regulations posted in each area and course specific policies, practices, and cautions. Students who have concerns related to health and safety should contact Quentin Moseley, Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator at 410.225.0220 or e-mail at qmoseley@mica.edu.

Week 1
 - Sept 3
In Class

Introductions and Orientation
Electronic Media and Culture – what is it?
Computer basics
Portal basics
Intro to basic HTML
Intro to Photoshop – formatting an image for the web.

Homework

Create a basic web portfolio of your artwork.  Include a 1-2 paragraph artist statement and a 1-2 paragraph manifesto about art and culture.

Week 2 - Sept 10
In Class

Morning Discussion: What are the ways Communication Technology impacts your life?  Phones?  Facebook?  IM?
View Homework
Introduction to CSS
Redo website w/o tables using only CSS
More Photoshop – dpi, canvas, image size.

Homework
1.  Create a 5-7 photograph slideshow using html and CSS on your digital.mica.edu website.  The photos should be united thematically and arranged so that their sequence forms somekind of graphic pattern.

2.  Create an index.html on digital.mica.edu. Use this page to link to your individual projects.

 

Week 3 - Sept 17 
In Class 

Review Homework
Photoshop Tutorials – layers, text, cloning
Screen Helvetica by Gary Hustwit

Homework

Create a simply banner for your website

Week 4 - Sept 24
In Class

Morning Discussion: Evolution of the Computer.  Differing platforms and operating systems.  The Web.
Review Homework
Revise websites
Setup Blogs at WordPress.com
Create a shared RSS reader page for class
Screen MediaBurn by Ant Farm

Homework

1.  Choose one piece in the MICA Faculty show and write a blog entry about it.  Why have you selected it?  Include a photograph of it.  Do not write about my project.
2.  Read:  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/fashion/17photo.html
3. Using personal and/ or found photos create an untrue image.  The image should not look fake.  Post the photo on your blog before class.  You can use text to support the fakery — you can use captions.

Week 5 - Oct 1
In Class

Morning Discussion: Is blogging the new journalism?
Review Homework
Vector vs Pixel
Intro to Illustrator – Shapes, Curves, Paint and Text.

Homework

1.  Using Illustrator, create 5 icons to represent yourself and post them to your blog prior to class.
2.  Purchase 1 MiniDV tape for next class.
3.  Attend Film: Guest of Cindy Sherman by Tom Donahue and Paul Hasegawa-Overacker.  Oct 7, 7:30pm Falvey Hall.

Week 6 - Oct 8
In Class

Morning Discussion: Cindy Sherman, Photography, Performance and the Art World.
Review Homework
Screen videos by George Kuchar
Video Camera demo
In Class Video:  Shoot a 2 minute in camera movie
Capture Video w/ iMovie
Join Vimeo and upload video
Post Video on your web

Homework

1.  Shoot Video for in class edit.  Specific instructions will be given at the end of class.
2.  Watch one of these artist’s videos/films from the MRC and post a blog about it.  Sadie Benning.  Jem Cohen.  Vito Acconci.  Bill Viola - The Passing, Chris Marker - La Jetee or Sans Soleil, Alain Resnais - Last Year at Marienbad, Maya Deren, Stan Brackage, Kenneth Anger, Nam June Paik, Walter Ruttmann.

Week 7 - Oct 15
In Class

Morning Discussion: Editing – Narrative Continuity, Montage, Experimental.
Intro to iMovie.
In Class: Edit 1 minute movie using your footage.  Upload to Vimeo and post to your blog

Homework

1. Produce 1-2 minute nonfiction video about something that your concerned about.  Consider using interviews, voice over, verite footage and b-roll.  Upload to Vimeo and post on your blog prior to  class.
2. Watch a documentary that you have not seen and blog about it.  MRC has My Brother’s Keeper, Paradise Lost, Somekind of Monster, Capturing the Friedmans, Nanook of the North, Far From Poland, Haxan, Heart of Darkness, History and Memory, Naked Spaces, Olympia, The Aristocrats, The Saltmen of Tibet, Tongues Untied.

Week 8 - Oct 22
In Class

Morning Discussion:  Sculpture, Performance and Film.
Screen Cremaster IV by Matthew Barney
Review Homework
Screen Matthew Barney: No Restraint by Alison Chernick

Homework

1. Research and select a therapeutic, lifestyle or self-improvement regimen that you will follow for 3 days.  Blog about your choice.  Is it something that you are repulsed by or that you feel guilty about having not done?  Include links about your choice.  Only blog about it this week.  See:
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/10/hitchens200710
http://www.livingoprah.com/
2.  Attend Film: Beautiful Losers by Aaron Rose and Joshua Leonard.  Oct 28, 7:30pm Falvey Hall.

Week 9 - Oct 29
In Class

Morning Discussion: Beautiful Losers.
Performance Art and documentation
Discuss Regimens and plan a schedule for next week.

Homework

1. Begin regimens.  One of your activities must take place during the next class so we can all watch.  We will create a schedule. Blog or create website that documents your regimens.

Week 10 - Nov 5
In Class

Regimen Performances

Homework

1. Finalize your blog posts that document your regimen prior to the next class.

Week 11 - Nov 12
In Class

Review Homework
Basic Animation using Photoshop, Illustrator and iMovie
Screen Len Lye, Norman McLaren, Iraqi Kurdistan by Ed Kashi and other animations

Homework

1. Produce a 20-30 second animated film.  Due in 2 weeks.
2. Attend Film: Trouble the Water by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal.  Oct 18, 7:30pm Falvey Hall.  Post a response on your blog.

Week 12 - Nov 19
In Class

Review Homework
Open Class to work on animations

Homework

1.  Upload Animations to Vimeo and post on blog.
2.  Propose a final project.  Post proposal on your blog prior to the next class.

   
Thanksgiving Break – Nov 26

Week 13 - Dec 3
In Class

Review Homework
Intro to Powerpoint
Open Class to work on final projects

Week 14 - Dec 10
In Class

Open Class to work on final projects

Week 15 - Dec 17
In Class

Final Projects

Written by pgwright

September 24, 2008 at 1:55 pm

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