Making and Meaning - 31254 - ARTS 252 - M1

Instructor: Karin Hodgin Jones

Meeting time: M W 1:00 - 3:40p

Meeting location: Art and Design room 40

Office Hours: contact me for an appointment

Email Address: khodgin2@uiuc.edu

Course Web Site: [http://makingandmeaning.pbwiki.com/FrontPage]

Course Summary

In this course, students will be introduced to the relationship of material, method and process to meaning in art practice. The course will begin from and center heavily on the process of critical viewing. Students will be asked to create projects from a variety of conventional and unconventional materials for the purpose of expanding their visual and critical vocabularies. Each critique will focus on a specific method of viewing an object or scenario and students will be asked to take information from the prior critique to inform how they undertake the next project. The use of assigned materials or specific contexts for viewing are not intended to discourage students from developing a commitment to specific materials or practices. The intention of the course is to offer a common language on which to build an expansive visual vocabulary as they grow to define their material preferences and refine their methods of engaging with those materials.

Policies and Guidelines

Attendance policy:

-Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes from 1:00pm until 3:40pm Monday and Wednesdays, Fall semester 2006.

-I plan to be to class on time, please demonstrate respect for your fellow students and come to class on time as well.

-If you must miss class please email khodgin2@uiuc.edu to let me know that you will be unable to attend.

-Students are permitted a maximum of 2 unexplained / unexcused absences. McKinley will happily provide a note if you have to miss our class. If you miss more than 3 classes you will miss important information, exercises and/or discussions that are a part of the coursework, many of which simply cannot be replicated. If you have more than 3 absences (excused or unexcused), your grade will be negatively affected.

Office hours and Email Policy:

-I do not have an office or set office hours, however, I am available for meetings in person by appointment. Please do not hesitate to arrange a meeting in person. Email me or talk to me in class to arrange a good meeting time.

-Email is my prefered method of basic communication outside of class. You may email me at any time to ask questions about projects, to let me know of anticipated absences, for clarification on readings or expectations for this course.

-Please email me directly: khodgin2@uiuc.edu.

-I will make every reasonable effort to reply to emails within 24 hours.

-Please be patient and, when possible, plan ahead so I have plenty of time to give you the assistance you are requesting.

-If you have an important question that must be answered immediately, please contact me by telephone. My phone number will be made available to you at our first class meeting.

Special Needs:

If any student has medical difficulties, disabilities, learning disorders, or any other extenuating circumstances that affect your ability to participate in any part of the class, please talk to me immediately. I will work to accommodate your request and to make you feel comfortable in class. I want all students to have an equal opportunity to enjoy and learn from the class information.

It may be necessary to contact Disability services to make arrangements for students with special needs. Here is a link to their home page: [http://www.disability.uiuc.edu/resourceguide]. If you need assistance getting in touch with their office or have questions about how to proceed, please talk to me immediately after the course begins.