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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 110-2"
COURSE NAME: "Drawing - Rome Sketchbook"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: William Pettit
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 12:30-3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course makes use of the unparalleled resource that is the city of Rome itself; each class meets at a different site around the city. Students work in sketchbook form, creating over the course of the term a diary of visual encounters. Instruction, apart from brief discussions of the sites themselves, focuses on efficient visual note taking: the quick description of form, awareness of light and the development of volume in space. With practice and growing experience, students become capable of producing drawings governed by conscious intention.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course is designed to give students an introduction to the basic techniques of wet and dry drawing media on site in the city of Rome. Using natural and urban landscapes as subject matter, the course will explore the principles of picture-making such as composition, perspective, form, and the study of light and dark. The idea of the sketchbook favors a quicker approach to representing nature, and functions as a record of the artist’s travels both inside and outside the city. The majority of classes will take place outside, weather permitting.

Like all studio classes, much of the work will be executed outside of class, in the form of homework assignments. Class discussions or critiques will take place to evaluate and analyze work as a group.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will acquire the material and intellectual skills necessary for representing three-dimensional environments on a two-dimensional surface. They will gain competence in evaluating and understanding artwork, and have exposure to important places in the city of Rome. 

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 Grading is based on attendance and completed work. As evaluation is based on a students comprehension and dedication to learning, Attendance is mandatory. Three absences will result in an F for the course. Participation (25 %) is to include punctuality and class participation, particularly during critiques. Students are expected to be on time and present physically and mentally. Students are responsible for making-up any missed classes. Completed Work (75%) consists of the student’s sketchbook including classwork and homework. Work will be evaluated according to formal analysis as in critiques and time investment. Students should expect to work at least 3 hours per week outside of class. Homework assignments should follow material covered in class and individual assignments.  
 A: Work of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems. B: A highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced. C: An acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill. D: The student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work. F: Negligent in attendance, academic honesty, or engagement with the course content.  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement. There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems
BA highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, or engagement with the course content.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Sample Outline of Excursions. Classes will meet at the location listed below unless otherwise specified. In case of bad weather, we will meet at the art studio. Scheduled and unscheduled critiques will take place in the art studio so have all work up to date. All sites are 15 or 20 minutes walking from Guarini and Tiber campuses.

  1.  Introduction to course and objectives, and materials. HW: tonal scales
  2. Castel Sant'Angelo. Exercises in space, composition and scale.
  3.  Santa Maria in Trastevere. Meet at the fountain. Exercises in simple perspective
  4.  Critique. Meet at art studio
  5.   Ara Pacis. Complex perspective and environment, organic and inorganic.
  6.  Protestant Cemetary, Caio Cestio (Piramide). Light and shadow, tonal drawing.
  7.  Midterm drawing: Ponte Sant’Angelo. Meet on Castle-side of the bridge. speed and fluidity.
  8.  Midterm critique. Meet at the art studio.
  9.  Santa Sabina, Aventine. atmospheric perspective
  10.  Critique. Meet in class
  11.  Piazza Mattei (Ghetto). The human form, symmetry.
  12.  Il Tempietto, Gianicolo. Circular perspective.
  13.  Final critique, prepare for student exhibit