Syllabus for Self I As Image

 Self I As Image  Fall 2020

Wednesdays 9:55am - 1:15pm

Prof. Doris Cacoilo                      

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Through the use of photography, computer graphics and mixed media this course will think about the increasingly complex relationship between our hyper-visual world of imagery and how we constantly navigate our own visual identity.

This is a general education course that is paired with the Tier 2 course, Self: I as Body.

Self: I as Image uses core themes of self-identity and imagery to explore, enrich and empower students to understand self and identity within a context of creative approaches to visual communication. Maintaining a positive sense of self and identity requires a continual process of meta-awareness of the role of imagery in self identity, visual communication and the cultural production of values and ideals.

This course uses a multi-faceted approach to understanding imagery that combines visual observation, cultural analysis, creative projects, contemplation and formal knowledge. This course addresses a need to have the language, knowledge, experience and critical tools necessary to explore the role images play in contemporary society and culture.

This course encourages a broader consideration of citizenship by thinking critically about the relationship of identity, images, values and ideals in a highly complex visual world. Conscientious citizenship is also honed by examining cultural representations of people and bodies and the affect these visual representations have on personal, social and cultural values and ideals.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Our class time will be split between discussion, lecture, studio time and presentations.  While in discussion please be respectful of the opinions of others even if they stand diametrically opposed to your own. For our remote Zoom classes you must be in class ON TIME and prepared for class each week. Failure to do so will be reflected in your participation grade. Failure to do so consistently can lead to failure in the course.

REQUIRED TEXTS

The Art of Self Invention by Joanne Finkelstein, I.B. Tauris, London: 2007

Ways of Seeing by John Berger, British Broadcasting Corporation and Penguin Books: New York 1990

Additional readings on Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu/ and linked online.

CLASS PARTICIPATION and READINGS Attendance and participation in the class discussion when appropriate and in critique and comments on the blog is part of your participation grade. Weekly reading assignments will be assigned from your required texts and linked on the blog. The full reading schedule will be distributed on the class blog. Readings are due each week. All readings are REQUIRED unless otherwise stated. For each week’s readings you must select two quotes or passages from the readings and write a brief description or reaction to each quote. I will often collect these on Blackboard. Please have them typed up so you can submit them when it is requested. I will call on students each week during discussion to read and discuss these quotes. You must have these prepared for each reading for the Zoom discussion sessions.. 

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS Two short essay assignments that draw on the class reading will be during the semester. These will be explained in class and will be described in detail on the class blog. The assignments will be submitted by posting to the class blog. 

WEEKLY SELFIES Weekly selfie assignments must be posted to the class blog. These will be inspired by and in response to weekly readings and artist work. Details will be specified in class and on the blog each week. 

SELP PORTRAIT PROJECTS

This is a four part project that asks students to measure experience over time and contemplate how we value images and the role that plays in navigating our own visual identity.

Parts 1-3: In response to the artist self portraits presented in the class students will be asked to create three self portrait projects in a variety of media. Each project will be in response to a particular artist's work or several artists works. The projects will explore the creation of a flag, a performance and a painting, drawing or collage that explores themes of self identity.

Part 4: FINAL Choosing any one or combination of processes that you have explored during the semester, compose an image that captures a self-portrait. Through an oral, written and visual presentation of your works, explain the following to the class:

• What is the subject of your image?

• What is the content of your image?

• Why did you make the choices that led to the composition?

• Explain the process and steps you went through and why you made those decisions.

• How you would categorize your work (ex. collage, graphic print, mixed media, etc).

• What artists or works are appropriate to compare your work to?

• What do you think this image conveys to the audience?

• What are the differences between the first self-portrait and your last self-portrait?

GRADING

Attendance is mandatory and all assignments must be finished and handed in on time to receive a passing grade for this course.

50% Self portrait projects

20% Short essays

20% Attendance/participation

10% Weekly selfie assignments

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Cultural/Social analysis

1. Question the relationship of beauty and images.

2. Question the role of photography and images in forming identity.

3. Understand the role of the artist/designer in producing two-dimensional composition within a social and cultural context.

4. Explore the relationship of imagery and visual perception to our sense of self and identity.

5. Adopt a critical posture in the consumption and production of images and photographs.

6. Discover how context provides images’ meaning.

7. Examine the capacity and ease of capturing, producing and sharing images and the role this plays in navigating personal, social and cultural communities.

Composition and Practice

8. Study both the elements (Line, Shape, Value, Texture, Form, Color) and the principals (Unity, Variety, Balance, Emphasis) of two-dimensional design.

9. Learn to analyze, interpret and describe images both orally and written using appropriate terminology.

Creative Production/Experience

10. Experience the creative process in an art studio environment.

11. Be creative in the use of composition, media and material.

12. Experiment in projects that employ the elements of two-dimensional design and produce two-dimensional compositions in various media.

13. Integrate the research of historical and contemporary artists and designers into projects that reflect consideration of composition and visual communication.

14. Communicate thoughts, ideas and/or expression through imagery and considered composition.

15. Compare creative productions and visual experiences with peers, both orally and written.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

You are not to risk the health or safety of yourself or any of the other people in the Art department. To ensure safety strictly follow all safety procedures explained to you as well as the New Jersey City University regulations. If you have any concerns or questions or are ever unclear about proper safety and health procedures, then ask the instructor or appropriate authority.  

If you feel you have any special concerns or problems that you would like to address please feel free to bring them to my attention. If there are any health concerns, either physical or psychological, that may affect your ability to fully participate in the class or complete assignments I am available to discuss possible solutions or address any of your concerns. If you have health or disability concerns that you would like to address but do not feel it is appropriate to discuss them with me there are services on campus available to address your concerns; contact Student/Health Services (Vodra Hall, Suite 107, 201-200-3456), the Art Department Office, or feel free to see me for contact info.

CLASS SCHEDULE

ALL READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE SPECIFIED WEEKLY IN ONLINE CLASS AND ON THE CLASS BLOG  It is the student’s responsibility to check the blog each week for required readings and assignments. All readings can be found in the required texts, online (linked from the blog) or on Blackboard.

If you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due dates, changes or anything else please ask me after class or e-mail me: dcacoilo@njcu.edu

Class Discussion Topic	Readings/Assignments due
9/2 Introduction to Self: I as Image	Get the books! Introduction of the course syllabus, class blog and themes ZOOM SESSION 10am
9/9 Photography	READINGS DUE are linked on the class blog and emailed/posted in an announcement in Blackboard. Susan Sontag excerpt from On Photography and additional articles  Weekly ‘selfie’ introduction to class posted to the class blog  ZOOM SESSION 10am
9/16 Language, Symbols and Identity	READINGS DUE are linked on the class blog and emailed/posted in an announcement in Blackboard!  WATCH video of Dahlia Elsayed artist talk and additional videos linked on blog. Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
9/23 Identity, Representation and Media Images	SELF PORTRAIT FLAG DUE READINGS: Finkelstein, Introduction pgs 1-36, Check the blog for additional readings  ZOOM SESSION 10am
9/30 Imposter, Disguise	READINGS:Finkelstein, Chapter 1 pgs 42-72 John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch 1 Check the blog for additional readings Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
10/7 The Gaze, Body, and the Power of Looking	READINGS:John Berger Chapters 2+3, On Blackboard: bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy and The Oppositional Gaze Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
10/14 The Gaze, Body, and Performance	READINGS: Female Gaze and Performance. Check blog and Blackboard Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
10/21 Status, Possession, Identity	SELF PORTRAIT PERFORMANCE DUE READINGS: John Berger Chapters 4+5 and check blog and Blackboard ZOOM SESSION 10am
10/28  Behavior: Manners, Norms and Value	READINGS: No readings due - take a walk! get in some exercise (safely) make a plan to vote! take time for yourself and catch up on your work. SHORT ESSAY 1 DUE (now due 11/4) Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
11/4 Looking Good Industry	READINGS: Finkelstein, Chapter 3 pgs 121-144 Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
11/11 Looking Good Industry	SELF PORTRAIT DRAWING/PAINTING/COLLAGE READINGS: Finkelstein, Chapter 4+5 Advertising and Fashion pgs 148-216,   Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
11/18 The Spectacle, #selfie, celebrity	READINGS: Guy Debord Society of the Spectacle online Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
11/25 The Spectacle, #selfie, celebrity	READINGS: John Berger Ch 7 and check blog and Blackboard SHORT ESSAY 2 DUE Weekly ‘selfie’ in response to the readings ZOOM SESSION 10am
12/2 Selfie Culture and Identity	READINGS: Check blog and Blackboard WORK ON YOUR FINALS. Post works in progress to the blog ZOOM SESSION 10am
12/9 PRESENTATIONS OF FINAL PROJECTS	FINAL SELF PORTRAIT DUE must be documented and posted to the class blog the night before presentations are due. **YOU WILL BE PRESENTING YOUR PROJECTS IN THE ZOOM SESSION