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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 382"
COURSE NAME: "Contemporary Art and Design Studio Practice l"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ra Di Martino
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: W12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisites: Prerequisites: AS 102, AS 260, AS 262 or permission of the instructor. This class requires a materials fee of €75/$85 to cover all basic art supplies.
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This interdisciplinary course will encourage students to develop creative agency. The course is designed to support students in exploring their own individual research projects and developing technical and conceptual skills specific to their areas of interest. This studio intensive course is designed for junior standing students who have already taken multiple Art and Design courses. A variety of briefs and project prompts, supported by lectures, screenings, and visits to galleries and museums, will foster an awareness of issues relevant to Art and Design and how students might position their work within these debates. The course will support students to define frameworks, materials, and techniques which will be catalysts for their future development within the program.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The courseisstructuredaround several key components to provide a comprehensive and immersive learning experience. Students will engage in intensive, hands-on studio projects tailored to their individual research interests, challenging them to explore and push their creative boundaries.

Thematic lectures and curated screenings will provide contextual knowledge and inspiration, helping students situate their work within broader contemporary debates in Art and Design. Regular visits to local galleries,artists´studiosand museums will allowstudents to engage directly with contemporary artworks and exhibitions, fostering critical analysis and appreciation.

A series of project prompts will stimulate creative thinking and encourage students to tackle diverse artistic challenges. Structured critique sessions willgenerateconstructive feedback,stimulatinggrouplearning and collaborative improvement. Additionally, one-on-one sessions with theprofessorwill address individual progress, challenges, and strategies for further development.

Students will need basic art supplies, including a sketchbook, drawing materials, and a digital camera or smartphone for documenting work. Access to relevant software and digital tools, as required by individual projects, will also be necessary. Costs for mandatory study visits to museums will be estimated and communicated at the start of the course(or fee including the entrance to the museum).

 

Required Course Materials/Study Visits and Expected Expenditure for the Students:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Develop and execute independent researchand artisticprojects in Art and Designand critically engage with contemporary debates and issues in Art and Design.

  • Produce original artworks that reflecta high levelof personal and academic inquiryas well ascommunicate their artistic process and outcomes through presentations andcritiques.

  • Demonstrate the ability to engage with a variety of techniques and materialsin order toexplore creativity and visual expression andadvanced technical and conceptual skills in their chosen mediums.

  • Demonstrate technical competence in the knowledge of techniques and material and attest an ability to coordinate them creatively and sensitively.

  • Develop and execute independent research projects in Art and Designanddemonstratean ability to analyze and evaluate both the individual creative process and, importantly, the work and practice of other professional artists of the field.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
PortfolioA collection of completed studio projects demonstrating technical proficiency and conceptual development.40%
Research Sketchbook Documentation of research processes, including sketches, notes, and reflections.20%
ParticipationActive engagement in class activities, discussions, critiques, and visits.10%
ParticipationA major project synthesizing learned skills and concepts into a cohesive and professionally presented body of work20%
PresentationOral presentation of the final project, articulating the research process, conceptual framework, and outcomes.10%

-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, engagement with the course content, or production of work.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This interdisciplinary course will encourage students to develop creative agency. The course is designed to support students in exploring their own individual research projects and developing technical and conceptual skills specific to their areas of interest. This studio intensive course is designed for junior standing students who have already taken multiple Art and Design courses. A variety of briefs and project prompts, supported by lectures, screenings, and visits to galleries and museums, will foster an awareness of issues relevant to Art and Design and how students might position their work within these debates. The course will support students to define frameworks, materials, and techniques which will be catalysts for their future development within the program.
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

  • Week 1: Introduction to Contemporary Art and Design course

    Overview of the course objectives, structure, and expectations. Introduction to key concepts and definitions in contemporary art and design. Students will begin thinking about their individual research projects. Course orientation, introductory lecture, and initial brainstorming session for project ideas.

     

    Week 2: Research Methods and Project Development

    Exploration of research methods specific to art and design. Discussion on how to develop a research question and formulate a project proposal. Lecture on research methodologies, examples of successful projects, and individual meetings to discuss project proposals.

     

    Week 3: Conceptual Frameworks and Initial Sketches

    Developing conceptual frameworks for individual projects. Students will begin creating initial sketches and conceptual drawings. Workshop on conceptual thinking, group discussions, and students´ feedback sessions on initial sketches.

     

    Week 4: Techniques in Contemporary Practice I

    Introduction to various techniques used in contemporary art and design. Emphasis on experimentation with different mediums and materials. Hands-on workshops with different techniques, such as mixed media, digital tools, and traditional methods.

     

    Week 5: Gallery Visit/Studio Visit and Reflection

    Visit a local gallery or/and a local artist in their studio to engage with contemporary artworks and exhibitions. Reflect on how these works relate to students' projects. 

     

    Week 6: Developing Technical Skills

    Enhancing technical skills relevant to students' individual projects. Focus on mastering chosen mediums. Specialized workshops and tutorials to develop technical proficiency. Continued work on individual projects.

     

    Week 7: Mid-term Critiques

    Mid-term presentations and critiques of student projects. Emphasis on constructive feedback and identifying areas for improvement. Formal critique sessions where each student presents their work-in-progress.

     

    Week 8: Lectures and Screenings on Contemporary Issues

    In-depth exploration of contemporary issues in art and design through lectures and film screenings. Thematic lectures on current debates, followed by screenings of relevant documentaries or art films. Group discussions to contextualize these issues within student projects.

     

    Week 9: Studio Work and Individual Tutorials

    Intensive studio work period dedicated to advancing individual projects. One-on-one tutorials with the professor to address specific challenges and strategies. Studio time for project development, individual meetings with the instructor for personalized guidance.

     

    Week 10: Museum Visit and Critical Analysis

    Visit a major museum to study significant contemporary art pieces. Focus on critical analysis and how these works inform students' projects. Guided museum tour, critical analysis exercises, and reflective writing assignments.

     

    Week 11: Advanced Techniques in Contemporary Practice II

    Further exploration of advanced techniques and their application to individual projects. Workshops on advanced techniques, such as installation art, performance art, and digital media. Application of these techniques to student projects.

     

    Week 12: Thematic Group Critiques

    Thematic critiques based on specific aspects of the students' projects, such as conceptual clarity, technical execution, and creative innovation. Group critique sessions with thematic focus, peer feedback, and collaborative problem-solving.

     

    Week 13: Final Project Development

    Intensive work period focused on finalizing projects. Emphasis on refining details and preparing for final presentation. Studio work, individual consultations with the instructor, and peer review sessions.

     

    Week 14: Final Presentations

    Formal presentation of final projects. Students will articulate their research process, conceptual framework, and project outcomes. Final presentations and student evaluation.

     

    Week 15: Course Review and Portfolio Submission

    Final group critique and review of course content and learning outcomes. Submission of final portfolios and reflective essays.